5. The Task Force noted the decisions of the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission[3] regarding the establishment and Terms of Reference of the Task Force. The Task Force was informed that the Commission had also adopted amendments to the Procedural Manual separating the criteria for work priorities from the criteria for establishing subsidiary bodies. The latter included new provisions for the establishment of ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces operating for a limited period of time under closely defined terms of reference, but functioning in the same manner as established Codex Committees.
6. Current activities of other Codex Committees including the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF), the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) regarding antimicrobial resistance in foods, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs and other related issues were reported. The Task Force noted that these issues might have implications for the work of the Task Force and that unless care was taken there was a possibility of duplication.
7. The Task Force noted the outcome of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology[4] held at Chiba, Japan from 14 - 17 March 2000. The Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology had agreed to develop two texts, the first dealing with broad principles on foods derived from biotechnology and the other being specific guidance on the risk assessment of foods derived from biotechnology. The Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology had agreed that in the preparation of these texts preference should be given to guidance applicable to all foods derived from biotechnology. However should it be necessary to prioritize the work, first priority should be given to foods of plant origin, followed by micro-organisms used directly in foods and then foods of animal origin. It had also noted that early attention may have to be given to fish.
