(Updated: 7th February 2003)

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. notes:

1. that Nestlé currently violates the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly by promoting bottle feeding and undermining breastfeeding;
2. that Nestlé controls about 40% of the world baby milk market and independent monitoring finds that it is responsible for more violations of the International Code and Resolutions than any other company;
3. that Nestlé violations include promotion through health care systems (such as giving free supplies of breastmilk substitutes and gifts to health workers) which encourages mothers and health workers to favour bottle feeding;
4. that baby milk is so expensive that poor people often overdilute it, leading to malnutrition in the baby, and that the expense contributes to family poverty;
5. that difficulty in sterilising bottles, teats and water can lead to life-threatening infections;
6. that UNICEF states that where water is unsafe a bottle fed child is up to 25 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhoea than a breastfed child and that reversing the decline in breastfeeding could save the lives of 1.5 million infants around the world every year;
7. that breastmilk is free, safe and protects against infection;
8. that in the context of HIV the risk of a mother passing the virus to her child should be assessed relative to the risk of replacement feeding and that the World Health Assembly Resolution 54.2 states that where replacement feeding is not sutiable: "exclusive breastfeeding is recommended during the first months of life; and that those who choose other options should be encouraged to use them free from commercial influences.";
9. that Nestlé has exploited concerns about HIV in an attempt to excuse its marketing malpractice;
10. that, as well as aiming to protect breastfeeding, the International Code and Resolutions aim to ensure the safe use of breastmilk substitutes when these are necessary, by, for example, setting out labelling requirements;
11. that Baby Milk Action is the UK member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) consisting of over 200 citizens' groups in more than 100 countries and that IBFAN conducts independent monitoring of the baby food industry;
12. that a Campaign Against Nestlé, including a Boycott of Nescafé in particular, was re-launched in the UK by Baby Milk Action on 15 March 1989 (having been first launched in 1977 and then suspended in 1984).
13. that in March 2001 Nestlé rejected Baby Milk Action's four-point plan aimed at saving infant lives and ultimately ending the boycott. The four-point plan states:
    1. Nestlé must accept in writing that the International Code and the subsequent, relevant Resolutions are minimum requirements for every country.
    2. Nestlé must acknowledge in writing that it needs to change its policy and practice to bring them into line with the International Code and Resolutions in every country (i.e. explicitely drop its strategy of denial and deception).
    3. Once Nestlé has made its commitment to change clear, Baby Milk Action will take the statements to the International Nestlé Boycott Committee (INBC) and suggest that we meet with Nestlé to discuss its timetable for making the changes.
    4. If IBFAN monitoring finds no violations from Nestlé for 18 months, the boycott will be called off.
       
       
       

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. believes:

1. that a consumer boycott is a peaceful and effective way of encouraging a company to behave responsibly;
2. that we have a responsibility as an organisation to take a moral stance against companies who fail to meet international standards of behaviour;
3. that Nestlé should abide by the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions in their entirety as a minimum requirement in all countries.
   
   
   

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. resolves:

1. to call on Nestlé to ensure that its policy and practice at every level in all countries conform to the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions and to act swiftly to end all violations reported to it;
   
2. not to stock/sell Nescafé/Nestlé products;
3. to endorse and publicise the Nestlé boycott;
4. to contact Baby Milk Action for the latest information before drafting a resolution to end support for the boycott;
5. to affiliate to Baby Milk Action to receive updates on the boycott;
6. to support and publicise the work of Baby Milk Action and IBFAN.
   
   
   

Groups which support Baby Milk Action at a local or national level include Women's Institutes, Save the Children, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, CAFOD, National Childbirth Trust, People and Planet, One World, Green Party, World Development Movement, La Leche League, United Nations Association, Wholefood Shops, Liberal Democrat Party, Women's Environmental Network, Trade Unions, Friends of the Earth, and many similar groups. Their local branches may support the boycott.