The award is presented at IFEH World Congresses. It is to be awarded to either an individual or an organisation. Recipients must have made a notable contribution to the work of the Federation by helping it to fulfil its aims and objectives.

At the 10th IFEH World Congress 2008, Brisbane  the award was presented:

John Stirling
Past IFEH Honorary Editor

Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS)

Eric Foskett Award 2008 - Awarded to John Stirling

John Stirling has been involved in the work of the Federation for many years. He was for a number of years Honorary Education Liaison Officer, but it is as Editor of Environment and Health International that he is best known. In 1998 he proposed that the Federation publish a twice yearly magazine. The Federation were happy to agree to John's proposal and he was asked to become the Honorary Editor. For ten years John produced two magazines annually, with the exception of 2008 when he produced three magazines. He retired as Editor in 2008.

John joined the then Edinburgh Corporation in 1965 and, having qualified as an EHO in 1969, stayed with that local authority, now called City of Edinburgh Council, until he retired in 1996. During the course of his career John specialised in environmental pollution and obtained an MSc in Acoustics. John was a member of the Council of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) and its predecessor organisations for many years. He was President of REHIS in 1992 and in 2006. He was also Chairman of its Education and Examinations Committee and Honorary Editor of the REHIS Journal for a number of years.