Public Health Call for Representation on Trade Advisory Committees
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public health groups today emphasized their priorities regarding the legally mandated representation of the public in setting trade policy for the U.S., including through representation on trade advisory committees. The influential committees are dominated by representatives of the pharmaceutical, tobacco, alcohol, processed food and insurance industries. They are required by law to include a fair balance of interests. Chairs of the existing committees wrote to the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce in October, expressing opposition to proposed legislation to include public health interests (HR 2294/S 1644). They conceded that a mechanism for including public views is lacking and should be created.
The public health groups urged the Obama Administration to immediately create a cross-cutting committee for public health, and to expand access to policy-making for a range of public interest organizations. At the same time, they called for appointing additional members to existing industry-specific committees in order to represent a fair balance of interests, as legally mandated.
To read the letter and for background on this issue: http://www.cpath.org/id46.html
For information about Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH): www.cpath.org
Contact: |
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Ellen Shaffer, Co-Director, Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH) |
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415-680-4603 |
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SOURCE Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH)
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