This message is really about propagation.  So many of you in here, are 
in a position to pass on information throughout your other lactation 
networks and internet forums.

The UK is embroiled in a horrible, and costly, fight in the courts.  The 
UK formula manufacturers, in a ghostly manifestation of what went on in 
the Philippines, are 'in court' trying to have restrictions on formula 
promotion removed, and the 2007 update has currently been suspended in 
England and Wales, and Northern Ireland,  as a result of their filing 
court actions.  They're stating such action is* "in order to **protect 
the continued supply of baby milk formula"*.  

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1979147.0.0.php

Scotland has stood alone in refusing to suspend the 2007 regulations in 
deference to the legal bids by the formula companies. 

http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/2008/02/scotlands-regs.html

The old chestnut about free market and free enterprise, is being used 
hard, and the opposition party to the current Government, is trumpeting 
their support under a banner of supporting business.  

http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/2008/02/conservative-criminalise-industry.html

Currently, Baby Milk Action are fighting hard to prepare for court, and 
to defend these attacks on behalf of us all.   But the sheer scope of 
the attack by the formula makers, is soaking up their resources.  They  
need help and support: they need money.

 _*Baby Milk Action are also limited on what they can discuss in public, 
as they are involved directly in the court battle.*_

As excellent debate took place in the House of Lords this week, with 
many of our peers pointing out the dangers to babies from formula not 
being made up with the correct water temp etc,  and how there needs to 
be stronger regulations, not less.  But such work is not high on the 
agenda for media coverage, and much of this battle is going on unseen 
and unheard.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80218-0012.htm

So if you have a chance to propagate awareness of this struggle, to 
suggest to people that they send money and aid to Baby Milk Action, to 
make connection or comment in your own country, about the dire situation 
going on here - please do so.

You could propagate Mike Brady's blogspot URL, 
http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/, which gives details on the legal 
challenges etc.  You could ask others to give money to Baby Milk action 
- it can be donated online via Mike's blogspot.  Baby Milk Action have 
many lactation supportive gifts that can be bought online, and they're 
selling off their 2008 calenders at the moment. 

If you're in the UK, you can write to your MP and demand an answer of 
what they are doing about it and ask they sign Early Day Motion 608.  If 
you are in a Conservative area, you can demand the party rethink their 
stance.  Details on how to write, and which MPs have already signed 608, 
can be found on:

http://www.babymilkaction.org/CEM/cemfeb08.html#letter

If you've worked in resource poor areas as part of your job, you can 
write to the UK Government and let them know about your professional 
opinion on the matter of relaxing formula marketing restrictions.  You 
can write to the Lords who spoke this week, applauding them and giving 
your weight to their opinion.

You can write in your own blogs and posts in other forums, on the 
matter, and spread the word and the awareness of the need for 
donations.  If you know other professionals in lactation, who are not on 
this list, and may not be aware for the need for people to speak out 
against what's happening - you could send them a copy of this email! 

If there's one thing we're good at on Lact-Net, IT'S MAKING A FUSS!!!!  
We need a real big fuss, about now: please shout on our behalf.  Let 
your voice carry into other places.

If they win here....

Morgan Gallagher

(Nothing whatsoever to do with Baby Milk Action and acting entirely 
under the auspices of her own fury)

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