WE OFFER OUR READING ON NEWS OF EU MEASURES (Taken from Eu report by Ms Fourtou) AS FOLLOWS:-

After the long haul with campaigners & the EU over a period of more than three years, the achievment is more modest than that hoped for. Nevertheless, EU measures should help towards increased caution.

The EU result does not detract from the great effort on the part of campaigners. It was the initiatives of Margo Cameron (SS, UK), Bill Miller, MEP, Cosima Meyer, Mar Lou Boots and Christine Williamson who got the EU venture started. Then others joined in the enormous work involved. Brenda and Ifom AASG, UK were enabled to`participate through the consistently reliable co-ordinating work by COSIMA MEYER and MAR LOU BOOTS. Work consisted of lobbying MEPs in our particular states as well as in other states where interest emerged; then concerted efforts were made fo particularly crucial events in he EU process.

Some other campaigners who had key roles are: Inge Vurgen Kern, Mila Rill Gasparin, Seiglinde Heyse, Hiske - members of AASG,UK who wrote to their MEPs, Doctors: Dr Sarah Myhill (for writing to her MEP with evidence), Dr Philip James (for writing to his MEPs),Melissa Ferrari (lawyer), MEPs - Brian Simpson, MEP, Ria OOmen, MEP, Jeffrey Titford MEP - These gave greatest interest and support.

A special supporter has been the MEP, FRAU MARGOT KESSLER who has been magnificent. Frau Kessler put out a draft Written Declaration for signatures.In it, she asked for a moratorium on silicone gel (breast) implants.Sadly, this did not receive the required number of signatures from MEPs to become valid. However it did receive 58 MEPs signaturesacross EU States.

These were as follows:- UK,17 Germany,10 Greece,07 Spain,07 Ireland,04 Austria,03 Sweden,02 Italy,02 Neterlands,01 Portugal, 01 France, 04.

Pettions days and meetings with the Commisioner Mr Liikanen's secretary, Mr Brekelman were crucial events attended bymar Lou, Cosima, Christine, Inge, Frau Kessler, Hiske, Melissa Ferrai. These people spoke up. AASG,UK sent in arguments and evidence. Another crucial event for all-out effort was the period of the EU's 'STOA'review, set up by EU parliament to assess the silicone gel/disease link evidence. The 'STOA'panel, headed by Dr Martin-Moreno presented 3 Options:

1. To leave things as they were

2.To ban silicone gel implants

3. To keep the implants , but with a number of recommendations.

Alas, as ever, this last Option 3 won the day.

However, we feel that the EU panel wa unduly influenced by previous reviews such as the IRG and US IoM.

IN addition, it was clear that some some vital, peer-reviewedclinical studies had not been assessed by th panel. For example, we in AASG, UK submitted a number of these including studies by Dr Nyrene ('Baylor') ("studies), Dr Arthur Brawer (4studies), Dr Arthur Dale Ericcson(1study) and one or two more which did NOT appear anywhere in the STOA draft Final Report's list of references.These names were stuck into the final Final report after some argument from me. But this happened in the very short period between the draft and final Report - no time for an assessment. Moreover, there was no evaluation of ay of these studies witin the report.

In the UK all implants are to be put intoa 'high risk' category. Some credit for this must go to all those of us who have pushed at the UK Medical Devices Agency (MDA), BUT, before we get too delighted, here is the rub: The MDA has put ALL implants into this category - including life saving implant devices -Thus the special riks with silicone breast implants is played down in this context. Nor does this category rquire 'proof of

safety' as does category iii ofthe FDA.

We in AASG send our warm appreciation to Cosima Meyer & Mar Lou Boots for drawing us into EU events. We hope the EU measures will help further developments.

Also, we salute our fellow casualties, campaigners & researchers in the US and everywhere.