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 12th IFEH World Congress 2012, Vilnius  the award was presented:

Raymond Ellard
Past Honorary Secretary of IFEH

Environmental Health Officers’ Association (EHOA), Ireland

Eric Foskett Award 2012 - Awarded to  Raymond Ellard

Raymond Ellard qualified as an environmental health officer (EHO) in Ireland in 1975. Having worked as an EHO at local level in various posts until 1990, he then spent eight years at national level as Chief Environmental Health Officer with the Department of Health and Children. In 1998, he moved to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) where he held the position of Chief Specialist in Environmental Health. In 2001, he took up his post as Director and is currently the Director of Consumer Protection. He holds Masters Degrees in: Food Science; Health Services Management and; European Food Regulatory Affairs.

Ray was Honorary Secretary of the IFEH from 17 June 2006 until 26 September 2011 but had, prior to this, been a member of the Council for many years as a representative of the Environmental Health Officers' Association of Ireland. He is currently the Acting Editor of the IFEH magazine Environment and Health. Ray is the consummate environmental health professional whose expertise, knowledge and wisdom is in much demand, not only in Ireland, but further afield.

The award to Ray was announced at the Federation's Council meeting held in Vilnius, Lithuania in May 2012 as part of the 12th World Congress on Environmental Health.