U.N..-W.H.O.'s "CODEX": A Threat to Health Freedom
from "Perceptions" March/April 1996 issue |
The commission meets every two years and any delegate can propose a change in its standards. Attorney Suzanne Harris has reviewed a partial list of international organizations "allowed" to send delegates and found that more than 90 percent represent giant multinational pharmaceutical corporations. The only "consumer" organization she saw listed is the "International Organization of Consumers Unions," which means that right now the general public here has zero representation on this critically important committee!
If these Draconian measures are adopted, any party to GATT (e.g., the United States) which does not accept the new standards can be heavily sanctioned ( fined) by the World Trade Organization. The WTO will have the right to levy enormous fines on any nation that gets "out of line," with the potential to cripple entire sectors of that nation's economy.
The sole U.S. delegate to Codex has been Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., R.D., of the FDA. Responding to political pressure in the United States, so far she has voted for health freedom, but with little result --at the last meeting the vote went 16-2 in favor of the German proposal!
Two steps have already been taken in the Codex process, which is now at "Step Three": The proposal is going to be formalized. and written responses and debate over its specific features will be undertaken.
In 1996, the FDA will convene a public hearing where-in interested persons and organizations will be able to discuss and question Codex and the U.S. position on it. The FDA will then draft a final U.S. position paper to be submitted to the five-day Bonn Codex meeting. The paper will be highly influential in shaping the final proposed regulations.
It is vitally important that you write to Dr. Robert Moore, FDA Office of Special Nutritionals, HFS-456, 200 C. St. S.W., Washington, DC 20204, expressing your objections to the German Codex proposal. Also write/fax your senators and congresspersons, as well as every member of the Senate Labor Committee and the House Commerce Committee.
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