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Don’t burn care: save contraceptives, save lives

Don’t burn care: save contraceptives, save lives

To the European Commission and the French and Belgian governments

Petition

We call on the European Commission, along with the French and Belgian governments, to:

  • Launch a joint diplomatic effort to stop the destruction of massive stocks of US-funded contraceptives on EU soil, and to help coordinate their delivery to the intended recipients through humanitarian organisations;
  • Conduct a legal review to assess whether this destruction is allowed under EU law, especially considering the EU’s commitments to sustainability and gender equality;
  • Publicly support humanitarian organisations working to redistribute these contraceptives, in line with the EU’s, France’s and Belgium’s pledges to protect women’s health and rights globally.

Why is this important?

Any day now, nearly $10 million worth of US-funded contraceptives could be burned in Europe – all because Trump blocks aid to organisations that support women’s right to choose. [1]

These essential supplies like IUDs and birth control implants, stored in Belgium and scheduled for destruction in France, could save lives, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and support women's autonomy around the world.

Several global health organisations have offered to collect and distribute them where they’re needed most. But the US has rejected those offers. [2]

This is no longer just a US problem. Because the supplies are in Europe, it’s a European responsibility now. Will our leaders let them burn or act to stop this senseless destruction?

The good news: pressure is working.

French and Belgian officials are in talks with the US. French EU lawmakers are urging the European Commission to intervene. [3] And even the US seems to be backing down – the incineration was due by the end of July, but it hasn’t happened yet. [4]

This isn’t just about contraception. It’s about whether Europe will be complicit in Trump’s war on reproductive rights, or stand up for women’s health and dignity. Add your name now to defend women's rights and global health.

References:

  1. https://www.politico.eu/article/france-eu-urged-to-prevent-destruction-of-usaid-contraceptives/
  2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/response-us-state-departments-senseless-plan-destroy-supplies-and-deny-contraceptive-care
  3. https://www.politico.eu/article/france-eu-urged-to-prevent-destruction-of-usaid-contraceptives/. 
    https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/french-greens-urge-commission-to-stop-destruction-of-usaid-funded-contraceptives/
    https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250726-french-left-urges-macron-to-act-over-us-plan-to-destroy-contraceptives 
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/trump-administration-destroy-contraceptives-usaid-africa