88. While adopting the agenda, the Committee had decided that document CX/FH 98/13 The Implications of Regional Differences in the Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in the Management of Microbiological Hazards for Foods in International Trade, prepared by Norway, with the assistance of Denmark, France and Sweden, should be discussed in sequence with Agenda Items 3 (Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment) and 10 (Guidelines for the Management of Microbiological Hazards for Foods in International Trade.
89. In introducing the document, the Delegation of Norway emphasized that the main objective was to recognize the existence of regional differences in the prevalence of various foodborne pathogens in the food chain and to take it into account in the risk management process in international food trade. Furthermore, this principle should be acknowledged by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and reflected in the relevant Codex documents such as risk management guidelines in general, as well as other pertinent documents. The rationale for this proposal as well as proposed recommended principles were summarized in an appendix to document CX/FH 98/13.
90. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Delegation of Norway for its contribution to the discussion of important issues related to risk management. Many delegations and the Observer from Consumers International supported the general objectives and principles of the paper, and in particular the following concepts:
· the existence of regional differences in the prevalence of foodborne pathogens should be recognized91. As a result of the intervention of several delegations, the phrase “where possible” was inserted in the fourth indent above to avoid any implication that, for example, HACCP would have to be implemented at the farm level, and to reflect that the feasibility of risk management measures should be considered. It was also stressed that regional differences in disease prevalence should be based on reliable data. The Delegation of Indonesia and some other delegations pointed out that the concept of regionalization should not be used to establish trade barriers which would be especially detrimental to developing countries.· risk management should be based upon microbiological prevalence data from the whole food chain, and, if appropriate, disease incidence data;
· ranking of hazards can be carried out at the national, regional or international level;
· risk management decisions should, where possible, address the whole farm-to-table continuum, and measures should introduced as close to the source of contamination as possible.
92. Many delegations supported the incorporation of the above principles into the general principles on risk management (see paras. 77-86). Some delegations agreed that they should be included in the document only with a view to their further discussion, which did not imply that they entirely accepted the rationale provided in the document. In particular, they stressed that while risk management options might differ in accordance with regional conditions, there should be a single standard for food safety at the international level; this would be consistent with the recommendations of the Committee on General Principles for a uniform and scientific approach to the elaboration of food safety standards (ALINORM 99/33, para. 41).
93. Some delegations noted that under the SPS Agreement, countries intending to establish disease-free areas should provide necessary evidence thereof, and the concept of disease prevalence currently applied to animal health could not be extended to foodborne diseases without careful consideration.
94. The Delegation of Chile expressed its concern that the question of regionalization should not be diluted as work in this area was discontinued; on the contrary, in view of its importance, it should be included not only in risk management but in each step of risk analysis. The Delegation pointed out that in this perspective, the development of guidelines on regionalization in an evolutive framework could facilitate international trade.
95. The Committee generally agreed that the concepts presented as recommended principles in the Appendix to document CX/FH 98/13 should be considered for incorporation in the Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Management, for further discussion in the general framework of that document. As a result, the Committee agreed to discontinue work on the discussion paper prepared by Norway as a separate item. However, Norway and the countries involved in the drafting (Denmark, Sweden, France) were encouraged to participate actively in the elaboration of the above mentioned Guidelines. The Committee noted a proposal from the Delegation of Norway to incorporate the principles mentioned in its document into other relevant documents of Codex.
