The French government is closely tracking a U.S. plan to destroy millions of dollars’ worth of contraceptives stored in Europe, following backlash from French feminists, rights groups, and family planning organizations. They’ve condemned the move as a wasteful assault on women’s rights.
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that the Trump administration planned to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives—mostly long-acting methods like IUDs and birth control implants—currently stored in a Belgian warehouse but possibly destined for incineration in France. These contraceptives were originally purchased under USAID public health programs, likely intended for women in Africa.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told AFP that a “preliminary decision was made to destroy” certain birth control products from “terminated Biden-era USAID contracts.” The Trump administration dismantled USAID, the U.S. foreign aid agency, in January. The destruction would cost $167,000, and the spokesperson clarified that no HIV medications or condoms were being destroyed.
Reports suggest the contraceptives, stored in Geel, Belgium, were to be incinerated in France, though French authorities have not confirmed this. Both France and Belgium face pressure to prevent the destruction.
The French health ministry stated: “We are monitoring this situation closely and support Belgium’s efforts to find a solution that avoids destroying these contraceptives. Defending sexual and reproductive rights is a foreign policy priority for France.”
This week, a coalition of French rights groups, feminist organizations, and unions launched a petition to stop the destruction, calling it “an unfair, sexist decision—both an economic and human waste.”
Green Party leader Marine Tondelier signed an open letter urging President Macron to intervene, warning that France “cannot be complicit, even indirectly, in regressive policies.” Socialist lawmaker Céline Thiébault-Martinez added that France would “lose credibility with women” if it remained silent.
Sarah Durocher, head of a French family planning group, stressed that “France has a moral responsibility to act.” Charles Dallara, whose grandfather helped legalize oral contraceptives in France, also urged Macron not to let France “become complicit in this scandal.”
Belgium said it was urgently consulting with the U.S. but couldn’t confirm whether the contraceptives had already been moved to France. A foreign affairs spokesperson stated they were “exploring all options to prevent destruction, including temporary relocation,” but had no confirmation of a transfer.
MSI Reproductive Choices and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) both offered to take over the contraceptives at no cost to the U.S. government, ensuring they reached those in need—but their proposals were rejected.
