France supports Belgium's push to block US destruction of contraceptives

USAID has provided hundreds of millions in reproductive health funds to dozens of low‑income countries, though much of that aid is now paused under policy changes. AP - Aaron Ufumeli

France has confirmed it is monitoring a US plan to incinerate millions of dollars worth of unused contraceptives in Europe – a move aid groups say is ideologically driven and medically wasteful.

The contraceptives – including intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants and pills – were bought under public health programmes run by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).