71. The proposed draft Code of Practice for the Quality Inspection and Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables was adopted by the 43rd Session of the Executive Committee at Step 5, and subsequently circulated for comment under CL 1996/30-FFV. The fifth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) was also encouraged to submit comments on the proposed draft Code of Practice (ALINORM 97/30A, para. 7).
72. At its last Session, the Committee accepted the offer of Canada to prepare the proposed draft Annex II (Inspection Site Requisites) to the above Code of Practice (ALINORM 97/35, para. 80). Comments were requested under CX/FFV 97/14-Add. 1.
73. The Secretariat noted that many elements of the Committee’s proposed draft Code of Practice were already covered by documents adopted by the Commission, namely, Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification (CAC/GL 20-1995) and Guidelines for the Design, Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CAC/GL 26-1997).
74. The delegation of Canada noted that although several elements of the two Committee’s work were similar, the CCFFV document focussed on quality as opposed to health and safety issues. Other delegations expressed the view that the Committee should focus on elements specific to the inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables, while taking account of other international work in this area.
Status of the Draft Code of Practice for the Quality Inspection and Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Annex II (Inspection Site Requisites)
75. The Committee decided to suspend consideration of the above Code at Step 7, and accepted the offer of Canada to review CCFICS and other international documentation in order to evaluate the need for a Code specific to the inspection and certification of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in view of the TBT Agreement. It was agreed that Canada would prepare a discussion paper on the subject for consideration at its next Session.
