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The deconstruction of the Herbal Medicines traditions is now under way.....
..here's what we need to do next!
Dear friends,
 As of the 1st May, the new EU directive has banned much of herbal medicine, denying us safe remedies and feeding the profits of big pharma. Let's raise a massive outcry to push the Commission to fix the Directive, and our national governments to refuse to implement it. Let's get to 1 million voices to save herbal medicine:  |
The EU directive has now banned much of herbal medicine, pressing more of us to take pharmaceutical drugs that drive the profits of big Pharma.
The EU Directive erects high barriers to any herbal remedy that hasn't been on the market for 30 years -- including virtually all Chinese, Ayurvedic, and African traditional medicine. It's a draconian move that helps drug companies and ignores thousands of years of medical knowledge.
We need a massive outcry against this. Together, our voices can press the EU Commission to fix the directive, push our national governments to refuse to implement it, and give legitimacy to a legal case before the courts. Sign below, forward this link to everyone you know, and let's get to 1 million voices to save herbal medicine:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_herbal_medicine_ban/?vl
Add your name to the 853,131+ concerned citizens who have already signed the petition!
It's hard to believe, but if a child is sick, and there is a safe and natural herbal remedy for that illness, it may be impossible to find that remedy.
On May 1st the Directive created major barriers to manufactured herbal remedies, requiring enormous costs, years of effort, and endless expert processes to get each and every product approved. Pharmaceutical companies have the resources to jump through these hoops but hundreds of small- and medium-sized herbal medicine businesses, across Europe and worldwide, will go bust.
We can stop this. The directive has been passed in the shadows of the bureaucracy, and it cannot stand under the light of democratic scrutiny. The EU Commission can withdraw or amend it, and a court case is currently challenging it to do so. If European citizens everywhere come together now, it will give legitimacy to the legal case, and add to growing pressure on the Commission. Sign below, and forward this email to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_herbal_medicine_ban/?vl
There are arguments for better regulation of natural medicine, but this draconian directive harms the ability of Europeans to make safe and healthy choices. Let's stand up for our health, and our right to choose safe herbal medicine.
With hope and determination,
Amarjeet S Bhamra (saveherbalmedicine campaign)
SOURCES:
EU herbal medicines law set for legal challenge:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/eu-herbal-medicines-law-set-legal-challenge-news-503563
European Union directive to ban natural remedies in favor of pharmaceuticals:
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8826364-european-union-directive-to-ban-natural-remedies-in-favor-of-pharmaceuticals
Traditional Chinese medicine firms may face delisting in EU market:
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7343301.html
EU crackdown on herbal 'remedies':
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/eu-crackdown-on-herbal-remedies-2628345.html
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We are grateful to the continuing support and encouragement of supporters.
Please do click on their logo's to visit their websites.
Why do we need the Campaign?
In April 2011, European legislation which has already been PASSED will come into force which will effectively mean that ALL Herbal medicines will disappear from the UK. No Ayurvedic (Indian) herbs, no Chinese herbs, no Western herbs, no Tibetan herbs, NO MEDICINAL HERBS WHATSOEVER. You will only have access to treatments which are Pharmaceutical Drugs based in order to treat your own and your families ailments. No access to ANY MEDICINAL HERBS. With no access to the full range of Herbal treatments, Herbalists, Ayurvedic doctors, TCM Practitioners and other Herbal traditions will OVERNIGHT, disappear from UK as well.
Please be clear, this issue is NOT about whether herbs work or not, the evidence is out there for all to determine this for themselves (we have links to resources on this web site), this is about YOUR FUNDAMENTAL BASIC HUMAN RIGHT to have a CHOICE. As things stand right now, your right to choose from a range of choices DISAPPEARS in April 2011.
This Group was formed at the House of Lords on the 12th November 2009 in response to a “call to arms” by Amarjeet S Bhamra, supported by Lord King, Andrew Keen (MP), and David Tredinnick (MP). Amarjeet, a long time champion of Complimentary and Alternative Medicines and a Lecturer on Ayurvedic Sciences called representatives of ALL alternative healing and medicinal traditions who are active in the UK.
Proceedings commenced with standing room only. ALL speakers from ALL bodies present had one demand of the Government—”FULFILL YOUR PROMISE—INTRODUCE STATUTORY REGULATION AND PROTECT THE HUMAN RIGHT TO CHOOSE ONES OWN MEDICINE”. The meeting passed one single resolution overwhelmingly with NO objections and this Group was formed with the mandate of the meeting and on the authority of that resolution.
Edmund Burke the famous Parliamentarian is often quoted as saying “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” Our legislators have done nothing to prevent this for 10 years, so it is truly up to us to act now and save our herbal choices! We welcome and thank you for your support! Lord King Alan Keen MP David Tredinnick MP Paul Uppal MP Lord Dholakia John McDonnel MP
Barry Gardiner MP Lord King, A Bhamra and Baroness Verma Keith Vaj MP Our MissionTo do everything possible to ensure that our legislators act to prevent this loss of freedoms and act to preserve our access to ALL traditional Herbal Medicines. This can be achieved by requiring the Government to fulfill its promise of Statutory Regulation of the Herbal and Traditional Medical Sciences sector long before April 2011. We are an unpaid group of committed volunteers who were unable to just stand by and watch whilst the Herbal Medicines industry in the UK just disappeared. MP's and Government officials were being bombarded by a cacophony of trade associations and diverse but segmented and occasionally hostile sub groups but the message was being lost in the "noise". This group was established by Amarjeet Bhamra who managed to get the vast majority of the significant groups to gather at the House of Lords and to agree to present Government with ONE VOICE. That's what we aim to do. If you would like to support us, please contact us and let us know - we are always looking for support! Contact InformationSince we are part time volunteers, amateurs as well, email is the best way to get in touch with us. If your call is one promising lots of support and encourage or fee publicity or a bucket load of money to help with our campaign costs, please do try and call the telephone number below and if unattended, please leave a message. If you do email us we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible!. Thanks for visiting our website! |
