An in-depth investigative article by Guyon Espinar on May 9 uncovered information that alcohol industry lobbyists have had behind-the-scenes input into alcohol policies, including those affecting the FASD Action Plan.
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act also show that references to a review of safe drinking guidelines were removed from a Health New Zealand website after an alcohol lobbyist complained to a manager with the Ministry of Health's Public Health Agency.
From the article: 'Health Coalition Aotearoa spokesman Steve Randerson said it was wrong to give the alcohol industry input on FASD, the alcohol levy framework and New Zealand's stance on UN strategies for reducing alcohol harm. "There is a fundamental conflict of interest underlying alcohol industry input to the government on such issues, given most alcohol harm only reduces if we drink less, and alcohol sales drop," Randerson said.'
FASD-CAN is strongly opposed to the alcohol industry being involved in these policies and we are actively pursuing this matter.
