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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. The next meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will be on 2–3 June. I will attend for the United Kingdom. Items on the agenda relating to health will be covered on 3 June. Items for discussion are: European Commission proposals for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on medicinal products for paediatric use; and the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on nutrition and health claims made on foods; the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances to food; the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of community action in health and consumer protection; obesity, nutrition and physical activity; combating HIV/AIDS; and mental health. Health Ministers will have an orientation debate on paediatric medicines. The UK can support the Commission's proposal for the articles under discussion. There will be a public debate on the objectives of the European Commission's proposed programme of action in the field of health and consumer protection. The Presidency will ask the member states whether they support the health objectives in the proposal. The UK can support the general direction of the objectives. Ministers will be asked to adopt draft council conclusions on obesity, nutrition and physical activity, calling on member states to develop initiatives aimed at promoting health diets and physical activity. The Presidency will present draft council conclusions on HIV/AIDS, inviting member states to take further action in fighting HIV/AIDS. Ministers will also be asked to adopt draft council conclusions on mental health, inviting member states to implement comprehensive mental health systems that cover promotion and prevention as well as treatment and care. The UK can support the three sets of draft conclusions as drafted. Under any other business, the Presidency and the Commission will provide information on the international health regulations and on the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. The European Commission will provide information on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, environment and health and the work of the Commission-led high-level group on healthcare in the European Union. There will also be a progress report on the proposed directive modifying directive 95/2/CE on food additives and directive 94/35/CE on colourings used in food. Ministers will also discuss preparation for an influenza pandemic and the health response to the tsunami in south Asia.