Transcript of the National Health Federation Statement at Codex  by Carolyn Dean, M.D., NHF, USA & Friends of Freedom International (FOFI, Canada) July 4, 2005

Scott Tips of the National Health Federation was recognized by the chair. The following is a transcription of Scott Tips' statement at Codex regarding the vitamin and mineral guidelines.   Thank you Mr. Chairman. The NHF is a world wide consumer organization. We compliment you on your rapidity with which you have adopted many draft guidelines here today. But this is one that should not be rushed and should not be approved. It should not be rushed in the same way as the others.   I encourage you to read the document that is being distributed to you right now: for these defective guidelines are incomplete and may not be adopted because, first of all, they contain no statement of purpose in the preface, which is contrary to our own rules of procedure.   What are they there for if we do not follow them? We cannot do that; they have to be sent back to Bonn for redrafting. Second, they don't define what vitamins and minerals are. The FAO has admitted that they cannot provide us with a list of the vitamins and mienrals that are supposed to be defined in this document. You are trying to pass a document that is not complete or defined.   Third, Mr. Chairman you are quite correct when you said that the Chinese comments are subtantive and as the Columbian delegate pionted out his comments are substantive too. And, page 27 of the Codex Procedural Manual says that if an amendment is ruled as substantive, it shall be referred back to the Committee. The Guideline must, therefore, be sent back to Committee. Thank you Mr Chairman.   Source: Friends of Freedom International.  http://www.friendsoffreedom.org