16th July 2007

Stroud Greens are delighted by news that Green MEP Caroline Lucas won EU recognition for alternative medicine in the EU’s health Plan.

It was agreed this week after a series of tense last-minute negotiations between MEPs and national governments.

The ‘Health Action Plan’, approved by MEPs last week, is a € 321  million public health plan for the EU. After fraught negotiations, the adopted text includes the following clause: (23a) The programme should recognise the importance of a holistic approach to public health and take into account, where appropriate and where there is scientific or clinical evidence about its efficacy, complementary and alternative medicine in its actions.

Cllr Martin Whiteside, the Green party's Parliamentary candidate for Stroud said: "People must have the right to use whatever sort of medicine helps them most, and it is time that the efficacy of alternative and natural therapies must be acknowledged in our approach to public health."

Caroline Sheldrick, one of several qualified medical herbalists in Stroud, said: "This is good news for everyone working in primary health care, both within and outside the NHS. All credit to the Green party and others who have pushed this against what seemed at many times to be overwhelming resistance."

Clare Ballard, an Osteopath added: "In the current global situation I feel that Complimentary therapies have a very important role to play in supporting the active promotion of wellbeing and positive health which is important for the individual, families, the community and the environment."

Dr Lucas, who was recently voted Politician of the Year by Observer readers, speaking after the vote, said: "It wasn’t easy persuading the governments’ negotiators to accept even this modest recognition of the importance and relevance of alternative medicine – but we have managed it , which should serve as a tool towards a broader and indeed holistic approach to public health."
For more information please contact Ben on 01273 671946, 07973 823358 or
ben@greenmeps.org.uk
www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk
.