September 2017--- In a wide ranging interview ahead of the most recent session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the new Chair Guilherme da Costa talks to the Codex Secretariat about the importance of collaboration in order to carry out the mandate of Codex - to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in food trade. Chair da Costa underlines the importance of working together to build strong national Codex structures so that countries can work towards common objectives. He emphasises the need for sustainable funding for the scientific advice programmes that underpin Codex standards and calls for standards that are practical and immediately applicable for everyone.