TOO FUNNY! You remember that the discussion on the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (GS) was cut short by Dr. Grossklaus because the interpreters had to leave immediately upon reaching the minute when the session was to end? Well, we are sitting in the final session of this year’s Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) meeting reviewing the Draft Report word by word to come up with the final report. We have, predictably, run out of time. The Chairman, Dr. Mosha (the same person who made sure to note to the entire CAC that we were NOT admitted to Codex Observer status yesterday) noted that we were out of time when the Secretary told him so and the Translators Team Leader also did. He then asked if the translators would bear with him and extend their work time. The Team Leader said, “Of course we would, Mr. Chairman!” and the meeting continued.

By the way, I got an email from a supportive reader who said that she thought that we had actually been excluded from last year’s meeting. Actually, we are here as Public Observers (without the right to speak) but with the right to lobby national Delegates (which we do very actively, you may be sure). If we were a Codex Observer organization, we would have the right to speak on an issue after the countries were finished BUT would be prohibited from lobbying countries.

We will certainly be here next year. After all, the battle rages and we are nowhere near done.

Gotta run!

Yours in health and freedom,

Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director