PARIS - The French Health Ministry said that it would not ban skinny models from Paris runways and catwalks, but will introduce a voluntary charter to make the fashion industry "more aware of the problem and not use skinny models".

Following the head of the French fashion federation's statement that no extra measures would be taken to ban ultra-thin models from print to commercials, the statement comes as no surprise.

Fashion is a major export of France. Couture designers rely on the look and sex appeal
of very young and thin girls to account for the majority of their international revenues.

While other countries such as Spain, Italy and Brazil, have created regulations to ban models that are at health risk, the French Health Ministry announced that they are "very close" to a voluntary charter. The French charter would be strictly voluntary, and would not be enforced by any laws or regulations.

Designers, modeling agencies, the fashion industry have come under attack following the deaths of two anorexic Latin American models in 2006.

The Paris City council had voted to pressure the fashion industry to ban skinny models, but the protest was seen as mainly a gesture. The City council has no legal control over the French fashion industry.