Programme of Community action in the field of Public Health and Consumer protection (2007-2013)

The EMHF responded to the proposal for this Programme in January 2006. This is a summary of the response. The full position paper can be downloaded below.

Summary

Gender in the proposal

1. Reference to gender must be explicit - The EMHF welcomes the European Parliament’s (EP) amendments introducing gender in the proposal and proposes an amendment based on the EC Treaty principle of gender equality.
2. A gender focus in support of EU priorities - Improving existing information on the respective health needs of men and women is crucial to guide policies underlying the new Action Programme. The new programme must ensure that European organisations active in the field of gender and health are offered more opportunities to contribute to EU public health debates.

Eligibility criteria for EU financial support

1. Transparency must be improved - The EMHF supports the principle of EP amendment 151 on financial transparency and highlights the need for clear guidelines.
2. A careful review of the independence criterion is required - The EMHF subscribes to the principle of independence of NGOs but warns against the downsides of precluding any organisation that receives funding from commercial interests.
3. Eligibility of multi-stakeholder organisations - The Forum urges not to exclude organisations that contribute to the public health agenda, but are not solely driven by patients.