Codex Chair Election 2014

Thanking members of the #CodexAlimentarius Commission and Congratulating the new chair

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Statement made by Samuel Godefroy at the opening of the morning session of Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 – during the 37th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission: 

I would like to renew my congratulations to Ms. Awilo Ochieng Pernet for having been elected Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission with such a broad level of support from Commission members.

I would like to wish her all the success in leading our deliberations and in advancing the mandate and upholding the principles of Codex.

I would like to acknowledge and thank our current Chair, Sanjay Dave, for his leadership and for his wise guidance to all three of us, Ms. Ochieng-Pernet, Professor Sefa Dede and myself, during our tenure as Vice-Chairs of Codex.

I would like to add two words of acknowledgement:

–  I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the Government of Canada to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, for presenting and supporting my candidacy to seek the position of Chair of the Commission.

– I would also like to acknowledge our small, but ever so entrepreneurial campaign team for their support to me, in shaping a vision and proposal for Codex. I would like to thank you all, members of the Commission for the way you responded to this proposal and for enriching this vision with your views and suggestions.

I was very much humbled by your expressions of support and your kind encouragement to me, during the campaign and after the announcement of the election results. I know that through this experience, I have gained and strengthened many friendships among our Codex family, and for that I am so grateful.

Thank you again.

Trois organisations de consommateurs et de Santé Publique expriment leur soutien à la candidature du Canada à la présidence du Codex

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La protection des consommateurs est au cœur de la mission du Codex Alimentarius. Ceci implique non seulement la protection de la santé des consommateurs des risques potentiels associés à certains dangers alimentaires, notamment les pathogènes et autres contaminants alimentaires et ce, à travers les normes de sécurité sanitaire ; mais aussi la protection des consommateurs des tentatives de fraude ou de mauvaise représentation des aliments à travers les normes de qualité et/ou d’étiquetage des aliments qui sont échangés à l’échelle internationale.

J’ai été très touché par le soutien exprimé par trois (3) associations nationales de consommateurs et de santé publique du Canada pour ma nomination à être candidat à la présidence de la Commission du Codex Alimentarius, dont l’élection se tiendra le 15 juillet prochain.

Le soutien exprimé par des organisations comme la fondation Canadienne des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC, d’Anaphylaxie Canada ou de l’Association de Santé Publique du Canada est une reconnaissance au modèle de leadership impartial et collaboratif prôné par le Canada pour la présidence du Codex Alimentarius. C’est aussi une reconnaissance de nos acteurs nationaux de santé publique et de protection des consommateurs quant à l’importance du Codex à façonner et promouvoir la protection des consommateurs à l’échelle globale, en préservant la sécurité sanitaire et l’intégrité de l’apport alimentaire échangé à l’échelle internationale.

Three Consumer and health organisations express support for Canada’s Codex bid

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Consumer protection is at the heart of the Codex mandate. It includes protecting consumers’ health worldwide from potential food borne risks through the development of the corresponding science-driven standards. It also includes the protection of consumers from possible deception and fraud related to the composition, identity and labeling of food products traded internationally, through the relevant commodity-based and labeling standards.

I was touched by the support expressed by three (3) major national health and consumer organisations for my candidacy to seek the chair  position of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, at the upcoming July 2014 election.

The support of my nomination by organisations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Anaphylaxis Canada or the Canadian Public Health Association is another testament to Canada’s commitment to providing collaborative and impartial leadership to Codex.  It is also recognition by these public health and consumer organisations of the importance of Codex in shaping a consumer protection agenda that supports public health and increased confidence in the safety and integrity of the food supply traded worldwide.