Has US contraceptives stockpile stored in Europe been destroyed?

Published on 12/09/2025 - 15:17 GMT+2

On Thursday (11 September), nan Trump management told The New York Times that nan banal of contraceptives stored successful Geel, Belgium, had been destroyed arsenic planned without giving immoderate specifications of erstwhile and wherever this had happened.  

However connected Friday nan agency of Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister for nan Environment, claimed to Euronews that nan stockpile is still intact successful nan warehouse.  

“This morning, nan Department of Environment’s enforcement section carried retired on-site inspections and confirmed that nary consignments had been sent for incineration,” a ministry spokesperson said.  

As nan medicines autumn nether nan incineration prohibition for reusable goods, nan US authorities would request to use for an exemption and salary nan corresponding interest earlier destroying them. The ministry confirmed nary specified petition has been made. 

The stash is reported to include much than 50,000 intrauterine devices, astir 2 cardinal doses of injectable contraceptives, and much than 2 cardinal packets of oral commencement control.  

The contraceptive products were primitively intended for distribution to lower-income countries by nan dismantled United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Since nan demolition scheme was announced, aggregate civilian nine organisations, including International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) and nan United Nations Population Fund, person attempted to bargain nan contraceptives to forestall their disposal. 

According to IPPF, nan demolition of these materials prevented much than 1.4 cardinal women and girls successful Africa to entree life-saving care. 

Approximately 77% of nan stock, galore pinch expiration dates betwixt 2027 and 2029, was intended for usage successful African nations including nan Democratic Republic of nan Congo (DRC), Mali, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia.