NOV 2007 - “Trojan Horse” Provision to Promulgate Voluntary Codes
The Public Health Bill, introduced in Parliament on 21 November, in many respects clarifies the future outlook for products and services in which marketers and advertisers have a vital role.
However, it also introduces a number of potential dangers. For example, Clause 81 grants the Director-General of Health the power to “issue a code of practice or guidelines to a sector on a particular activity that the sector undertakes if the Director-General has reason to believe that the sector can reduce, or assist in reducing, a risk factor associated with, or related to, the activity.
The danger is that a code imposed by the Ministry without industry buy-in or commitment is bound to fail and then trigger legally binding codes after 3 years.
The principles on which the codes are to be based are all public health factors (Clause 80) but economic consequences to the economy and individual businesses have not been taken into consideration. Not only are food and alcohol producers in danger, but also the media.
The Health Select Committee report is reputed to be released by the end of November, which may provide a much clearer guide as to how the industry should react.
ANZA is hosting a meeting to discuss the industry’s response and plan strategies will be held on:
Tuesday 11 December 2007, 8:30am – 10:00am
Novotel Hotel, Ellerslie, Auckland
RSVP by Thursday 6 December to Leonie@anza.co.nz
Agenda and details will be sent to those attending
Click here to view the Bill.
The relevant clauses are 79 - 88 commencing on page 69 of the Bill and page 125 of the pdf. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to have issues raised, please contact Keith Norris – keith@marketing.org.nz or tel: 09 361 7762 / 0274 977 818.
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