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UK Against Fluoridation

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

UK - Rastrick councillor Craig Whittaker: ‘Fears we will get fluoride by default’

Rastrick councillor Craig Whittaker: ‘Fears we will get fluoride by default’
Nov 24 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
‘IT’S fundamentally wrong that fluoride could be added to Calderdale’s water supply by default’, a councillor says.
With NHS Kirklees and the Bradford health trust both considering adding fluoride to local water, councillors in Calderdale, which is sandwiched in between the two authorities, say their water supply could be affected too.
Rastrick councillor Craig Whittaker said the residents of the area launched their biggest campaign in the 1970s, when more than 20,000 people signed a petition against fluoride.
In 2003 Calderdale councillors reiterated their opposition.
But now they are set to debate the issue again as the Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority looks at the position in Kirklees and Bradford.
Clr Whittaker said: “The majority of people I speak to are without question against it.
“Calderdale has a history of being opposed to fluoride.
“But because of the Kirklees and Bradford position, we need to consider how we will be affected by it.
“We want to make sure that we have our say so, in turn, we want to know what people think.”
Clr Whittaker has asked Calderdale Council to vote on a fluoridation motion and make their stance clear.
But even then, he said the ultimate decision lies with the Strategic Health Authority.
“There was one local authority down south where 70% of the people opposed fluoridation but they went ahead with it anyway
“But despite that, we want to do everything we can to make sure we make our views known.”
Fluoride was put into some water supplies in parts of Huddersfield up until 1988.
There are arguments for and against the issue – some claim it would improve dental health but others argue it is mass medication.
An online petition formed by Clr Whittaker says the benefits are based on unsound medical science, that fluoride is harmful to the environment and defies all common medical ethics.

NHS Kirklees has stressed that no decision will be made until a public consultation has been carried out. Yesterday NHS Kirklees said a feasibility study is being carried out and the results are not due until early next year.
Currently, there is no fluoride within Yorkshire’s water.
The issue will be debated by Calderdale Council on December 2.
“It is fundamentally wrong that a request by ŠNHS Bradford and Airedale and ŠNHS Kirklees could result in areas in Calderdale having artificial fluoride in their water almost by default,” he added.

“Therefore, not only does this motion enable the council to reaffirm its previous position, it also instructs officers to undertake own public consultation to ascertain the views of residents.”

You can add your name to the online petition at SayNOtofluoridation.com

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