2. The Session was opened by Mrs Dr Sabine Bergmann-Pohl, Parliamentary Under-secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health. On behalf of the Federal Minister of Health she extended a very warm welcome to the delegates attending the Session. She highlighted the importance of the work of Codex in providing standards for protecting consumers’ health and facilitating international food trade while improving international competitiveness. Mrs Bergmann-Pohl noted especially that the record attendance of delegations at the Session was a recognition of the great importance of Codex, due to the reference to Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations under the relevant World Trade Organization Agreements. She also pointed out that some misinformation existed on medical claims and on the introduction of restrictions concerning the accessibility of vitamins and minerals. In conclusion, she expressed the hope that, despite all difficulties, the decisions of the Committee would be taken by consensus and based on available scientific data and wished the delegates all success in their work.
3. The Delegation of Spain expressed regret at the lack of interpreting into the Spanish language and requested the Secretariat of the host country to consider additional means of ensuring the possibility to work in all official languages at the meeting.
