3. The Committee noted matters of interest arising from the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. The Codex Secretariat suggested that the Committee take account of the request of the 14th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) to identify and clarify other legitimate factors relevant for the health protection of consumers and for the promotion of fair practices in the food trade when discussing items under its consideration (see paras. 73-74).[4] It was noted that the 15th Session of the CCGP (Paris, France, 10-14 April 2000) would consider the subject of food safety objectives in the context of risk analysis and a Review of the Statements of Principle on the Role of Science and the Extent to which Other Factors are Taken into Account: Role of Science and Other Factors in Relation to Risk Analysis.
4. The Committee noted that the forthcoming 15th Session of the CCGP would also be undertaking a review of the Codex Code of Ethics for International Trade in Food (CAC/RCP 20-1979, Rev. 1 (1985)) and that comments had been requested under document CX/GP 00/8. In this regard, the Codex Secretariat informed the Committee that the relevant CCFICS guidelines elaborated to date had been included as references in the Proposed Draft Revised Code of Ethics for International Trade in Food.
5. The Committee noted that an FAO Conference on International Food Trade Beyond 2000: Science-Based Decisions, Harmonization, Equivalence and Mutual Recognition was held in Melbourne, Australia from 11-15 October 1999. A series of general recommendations of the Conference (the Melbourne Recommendations), as well as other recommendations addressed to the Commission or its subsidiary bodies, were scheduled to be presented to the 47th Session of the Executive Committee (Geneva, Switzerland, 28-30 June 2000).[5] The recommendations addressed to the Commission or its subsidiary bodies included the recognition of the importance and urgency of developing Codex guidance on the judgement of equivalence of inspection and certification systems.
6. The Committee was informed that a proposed Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Application of Equivalence Measures and Agreements was to provide advice to developing countries on technical requirements for the establishment of equivalence measures and agreements pertaining to food quality and safety. The Consultation was tentatively scheduled to be held before 2001.
7. The Representative of WHO informed the Committee of recent discussions at the 105th Session of the WHO Executive Board in January 2000. The Director-General of WHO identified food safety as one of the seven priority areas of WHO and proposed a future plan of work in this regard. The Executive Board, composed of 32 Member States, had noted the importance of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and requested WHO to strengthen its involvement in Codex work. The forthcoming 53rd Session of the World Health Assembly (May 2000) would discuss this matter further.
