US Plans Incineration of $10M USAID Contraceptives in Belgium, France

The Trump administration intends to incinerate $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, including birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants, that were purchased under the Biden administration through USAID and are currently stored in Belgium. These contraceptives, many of which remain viable for years and were meant for women in impoverished countries, have sparked international outcry, with European governments, aid organizations, and activists urging France and the EU to intervene and prevent their destruction. Despite offers from organizations like the United Nations Population Fund and MSI Reproductive Choices to redistribute the supplies at no cost, the U.S. government has rejected these proposals, citing concerns related to the Mexico City Policy, which restricts funding for abortion-related services. The situation has led to diplomatic tensions, with France expressing that it lacks authority to seize the products but remaining under pressure from civil society groups and over 20,000 petition signatories to act. Critics argue that destroying these contraceptives undermines global health efforts and women's reproductive rights, while the Trump administration's action reflects a significant shift in U.S. development policy away from secular aid towards faith-based priorities. Efforts to find alternatives continue amid heightened public backlash and international condemnation.