Canada
Canadian Charter of Health Freedom
September 10, 2008 marked a momentous milestone for Canada … and possibly the world. The Canadian Charter of Health Freedom as written by Shawn Buckley of the Natural Health Products Protection Association (NHPPA) was launched.
The Canadian Charter of Health Freedom gives an exciting fresh focus for change and our freedom to choose.
Bill C51
We may think the giant is sleeping but Health Canada will once again introduce legislation similar to Bill C-51. This bill was designed to bring all Natural Health Products into the same class as prescription and over-the-counter drugs and organs for transplants—all were lumped together as “Therapeutic Products.” Bill C-51 was designed to replace the current Food and Drugs Act with a proposed new Food and Therapeutic Products Act.Bill C52
Bill C-52 would have directly impacted SOTA. This bill, “The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act,” quickly passed second reading in parliament as it appealed to fears for safety. It proposed police state powers by eliminating all the safeguards Canadians and Canadian businesses currently enjoy against any excessive actions by government bureaucrats. It would have allowed government to trespass and trample on Canadians and Canadian businesses without any recourse. The government already has legislation to ensure the complete safety of Canadians. More laws are not needed.United States
There is a renewed threat to Natural Health Products in the US. The proposed legislation calls for more control over Natural Health Products—the sale of Natural Health Products are to be restricted in accordance with International regulations with sweeping new powers given to FDA regulators. These regulations are designed to make the government accountable to multi-national corporations with safety the issue that is used to make more restrictions acceptable.
The US has ample existing regulations in place for the safety of Natural Health Products. The National Health Federation (NHF) provides information to support the Health Freedom Protection Act (H.R. 2117).
The NHF is the only consumer health organization with recognized observer-delegate status at the international Codex meetings. Scott Tips of the NHF speaks eloquently at the meetings in an effort to bring common sense to the drive to limit access to Natural Health Products.
These links provides information and suggestions for action:
http://www.thenhf.com/press_releases/pr_05_june_2008.html
or check:
http://www.thenhf.com
Europe
International regulations have advanced further in Europe than North America. Here are two organizations representing consumers involved in the fight for freedom of choice in health care and the need to save Natural Health Products and therapies.
Consumer for Choice in Health Care:
http://www.consumersforhealthchoice.com
The Alliance for Natural Health:
http://www.anhcampaign.org
And, an information source for health freedom:
http://www.zeusinfoservice.com/current_issues.htm
Australia and New Zealand
International regulations have advanced quickly with restrictive laws
limiting Natural Health Products already in place in Australia.
Consumer organizations for health freedom:
http://www.ahf-au.org
http://www.nzhealthtrust.co.nz
