Forwarding from & sharing on behalf of INFACT Canada  (I've had to snip off
the attached letter - it is a form letter supplied by INFACT - it is 2 long
pages - if it is appropriate to the list, and okay with the listmothers, I
will post it to the Lactnet list for sharing)
Janice Reynolds

----- Original Message ----- 
From: INFACT Canada
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 2:55 PM
Subject: ACTION ALERT - UNICEF Withdrawing Support for the International
Code!

            Anne Veneman recently took over the post of the Executive
Director of the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), but
has already made some startling changes to the organization.  Veneman, who
was picked by President Bush for the position, has announced that UNICEF
will no longer provide legal assistance for governments in order to enact
the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes into national
legislation.  Since the International Code was passed in 1981, UNICEF has
helped 64 countries legistlate some form of the Code, and 23 additional
countries now have similar laws pending.  The withdrawl of UNICEF's support
in this process seriously damages the ability of any further nations to pass
the International Code into law.
            A lack of strong legal measures controlling the marketing of
breastmilk substitues puts infants and young children at risk and will
surely impede the achievement of the United Nations' Millenium Development
Goal of reducing global infant mortality by two thirds by 2015.  This
decision by Veneman clearly runs counter to UNICEF's mandate of protecting
the health of infants and young children the world over.
            Veneman's action is all the more disheartening because of her
links to major food companies.  Before becoming Seceratary of Agriculture
under George W. Bush, she served on the International Policy Council on
Agriculture, Food and Trade, a group funded in part by Nestle, the world's
largest baby food manufacturer and the greatest single violator of the
International Code.
            While many doubt that Veneman's experience as a corporate lawyer
for major food companies qualified her to head UNICEF, unfortunately she has
already been appointed and the international community will have to do its
best to cooperate.  This is a drastically important issue and urgent action
is needed.  Please inform Veneman that cutting support for the International
Code is an absolutely unacceptable decision that will cost young lives.

Alter the attached letter or send your own to:
 [log in to unmask]

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