Mandatory vaccination a reality in France

In a further development to last week’s comments by the French Health Minister, the French Prime-Minister has announced an additional 11 vaccinations will be made mandatory in 2018 for children under the age of 2. Health Minister, Agnes Buzyn said, "If we make the other vaccines mandatory, the French will understand that these vaccines are completely safe." Evidence strongly suggests that vaccines are not as safe as we’re being told. We need to stop health authorities declaring they’re safe across the board. Please share and sign our petition to stop health authorities saying vaccines are safe.

Whilst in Italy….

Reports from the Alto Adige/Trentino Region say the vote to implement mandatory vaccination was brought forward from July 23^rd to the 11^th. People power does work as the number of mandatory vaccinations is now dropping to 10 and the loss of parental rights has been removed, however, whilst the maximum level of fine for not vaccinating has been dropped from €7500 to €3500 it will be per child, per year whilst being educated - at school or home, yet, there will still be no access to nursery or school without vaccination certificates as they will be necessary for nursery/school workers for verification purposes. Discussions continue, but the bill can still be amended. Watch this space for further updates.

EU assessment of glyphosate stands

The European Chemicals Agency (ECA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have responded to Dr Christopher Portier’s allegations in relation to their evaluation of the safety of glyphosate. Their letter finds that all the studies referred to in Dr Portier’s letter have “been adequately considered” and that they “see no need for our evaluations to be revisited”. In a separate statement EFSA re-stated the process used to review the data. As a part of the statement they dismissed concerns regarding allegations that Monsanto ‘ghostwrote’ two review papers used as part of the review process. The statement concluded that “even were the allegations confirmed” that there would be “no impact on the overall EU assessment and conclusions on glyphosate”. EFSA’s assertions are contrary to current evidence and The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) classification of glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic”.

EU Commission authorises GMO use without Parliament’s support

Continuing with the subject of GMOs in Europe, the European Chemicals Agency (ECA) and the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) negative response to Dr Christopher Portier’s allegations, comes alongside the news of 5 GMO authorisations by the European Commission (EC) without due political process. This action is despite the clear and consistent opposition of EU Member States against the introduction of the 2 GMO maize strains in March. MEPs have pointed out that authorisation of GMOs in the EU by the EC without their support was supposed to be an exception, but it has become the norm. The continued authorisation of GMOs for use in the EU brings the impartiality of the review to renew glyphosate’s licence for another 10 years in the EU into doubt.

Can coffee make you live longer?

Two new studies certainly think so. In one study across 10 European countries researchers found that those who drank the most coffee had reduced risk of dying from various causes. The second study also concluded that higher coffee consumption was associated with a reduced risk of dying in African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latinos and whites. Whilst this is great news for those of us who enjoy a good cup of coffee it should be noted that not everyone benefits from drinking coffee. Some people who have genetic copying errors (also referred to as single nucleotide polymorphisms - SNPs) in their CYP1A2 genes may have difficulty breaking down caffeine leading to negative effects such as shakes, dizziness or even tiredness. Proving once again that we are all individuals and one size certainly doesn’t fit all!