On 19 June, 27 not-for-profit organisations in France declared the start of their mass mobilisation to coincide with the fifth and final meeting of the stakeholders in the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) in France.
The groups published a manifesto and public petition calling on the French government to adopt an ambitious strategy to reduce exposure of populations and ecosystems to EDCs. The signatories comprise a diverse coalition of French civil society groups, including environmental groups, health insurance bodies, patients groups, consumers, unions and women’s groups.
Progress in negotiations within the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) in France appears to be stalling or even receding, according to the press release to launch the campaign. Implementation of the labelling requirement from the existing law on bisphenol A in food packaging does not seem to be taking place, and the anticipated measures on phthalates, which was promised by the environment minister Delphine Batho, has not happened.
In recent months, two important statements from scientific experts have urged action on EDCs to protect public health. In May, the world’s leading experts published the Berlaymont Declaration, which pointed to the high or increasing levels of endocrine-related conditions in Europe. (4) This month, 180 leading scientists at the Collegium Ramazzini published their statement urging action on EDCs. Equally or more important was the publication of the recent joint report by the WHO and UNEP on EDCs. Although the WHO is traditionally cautious on scientific issues in which there is controversy, it has deemed EDCs a global threat which need to be resolved.
The manifesto is available here
The public petitions are available here
Post provided by campaign secretariat HEAL
