Joint call to MEPs to protect the strength of the BECA report during European Parliament Plenary vote

In a joint letter initiated by ECDA, nine European health organisations, including Eurocare, call on MEPs to adopt the report with no weakening of its recommendations on cancer prevention. The plenary vote on the report developed by the European Parliament Special Committee on Beating Cancer, (called the BECA committee) is expected on 15 February.

In a joint letter initiated by ECDA, nine European health organisations, including Eurocare, call on MEPs to adopt the report with no weakening of its recommendations on cancer prevention. The plenary vote on the report developed by the European Parliament Special Committee on Beating Cancer, (called the BECA committee) is expected on 15 February.

It is of utmost importance that the report is not weakened, including amendments related to alcohol (Para 15 and 16), and that it maintains its strong and accurate language regarding preventable risk factors for cancer and other major chronic diseases. Eurocare welcomes the report that clearly states that "there is no safe level of alcohol consumption", endorsing the scientific evidence on alcohol harm and the WHO position on this topic.

We call on MEPS to fully support the adopted version of the BECA INI report without further amendments to Para 15 and 16. The promise of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to reduce suffering caused by cancer and other chronic diseases – including cancer co-morbidities and complications – must not be compromised.

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Co-signatories:
- Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)
- European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare)
- European Chronic Disease Alliance (ECDA)
- European Institute of Women’s Health (EIWH)
- European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
- European Public Health Association (EUPHA)
- EuroHealthNet- Smoke Free Partnership
- Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE)