We write to you today as leaders of the midwifery profession and representatives of civil
society organisations and institutions across Europe. We are united in our concern
about the current update process for Directive 2005/36/EC on the Minimum
Professional Qualifications for Midwives.
To be direct: this update, the first in more than 20 years, risks leading to decades of
stagnation. The draft proposals put forward by the Commission so far lack the
ambition, the evidence-base, and the alignment with international standards that this
moment requires. If they are adopted in their current form, they will weaken the EU’s
position in as a global leader in this field.
We are writing because we believe this outcome is avoidable, but only if the
Commission acts with urgency and rigour.