Trade Vulnerabilities Resulting from the Lengthy Codex Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) Process[28]
71. The US introduced this issue by outlining some key concerns by Codex member countries in regard to the intervals from the time chemicals are nominated for assessment until Codex adopts an MRL and the vulnerability of some products moving in international trade during these periods. The United States also pointed out that growers might delay use of new safer compounds approved for national use because of the absence of a Codex MRL. Several countries and the representatives from Consumers International and ITIC noted that this was of public health concern. The Committee agreed that its priority in relation to this issue was in terms of establishing if there was a significant issue to bring before the attention of the CAC and relevant subsidiary bodies, including the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF).
72. In this regard, it was noted that the Chairman’s Action Plan contained proposals that were relevant to any efforts to speed the MRL setting process. These included the proposal for annual meetings of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and reforming the expert advisory committees. It was considered that emphasis should be focussed on improving the pace in which Codex responds to such issues while having the utmost regard for public health and safety and that priority should be given to the assessment of new safer versions of agricultural chemicals.
73. Notwithstanding the efforts of the Commission to accelerate the elaboration procedures for Codex standards, the Committee recommended that the Commission might address the elaboration of standards for pesticide and veterinary drug residues within the development of the Medium-Term Plan for 2003-2007. In addition, the Committee agreed that this issue should be brought to the attention of the CCPR, CCRVDF and other relevant subsidiary bodies of the Commission.
Codex Ad-Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding[29]
74. The Committee noted the status of work of the Ad Hoc Task Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding. Although its work was at an early stage in the Step Procedure, it was evident that the Task Force process was facilitating an efficient Codex response to this issue. The Committee encouraged all stakeholders, including leaders of animal producing organizations in member countries, to be engaged in advising members on the lists, traceability of feed ingredients, implementation costs and compliance aspects of the proposed draft Revised Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding.
75. The Committee noted the significance of the work of the Task Force on Animal Feeding in addressing important food safety related issues and that Members of the Region should actively participate in this important work.
Codex Strategic Vision and Medium-Term Plan 2003-2007[30]
76. Further to the consideration of this matter under Agenda Item 2, the Committee recognized that the development of a strategic vision and Medium-Term Plan for the Codex Alimentarius Commission would not be an easy task. It also recognized that all Codex member countries would need to address this task to enable the Commission to respond to their future needs.
77. It was noted that some countries of the region were presently identifying key themes for enabling the Medium-Term Plan to give effect to the Strategic Statement. It was suggested that these themes could be grouped under the following categories: · overarching responsibilities, functions and modus operandi of the Commission; · programme areas relevant to the actual standards setting responsibilities of the Commission; and, · issues relating to the management and administration of the Commission’s work that is facilitated by the parent organizations, including the modus operandi of Expert bodies.
78. The representative of Consumers International noted its overall support for the Chairman’s Action Plan and for integrating those proposals into the Medium-Term Plan. It was also noted that the Chairman’s Action Plan would continue to evolve and that ensuring effective linkages with both the Codex parent and other organizations was envisaged. Consumers International also supported strengthening participation and transparency, and improved timeliness and responsiveness, under the Medium-Term Plan for 2003-2007.
79. The Committee agreed that although the Chairman’s Action Plan was a good initiative it envisaged that future versions of the Plan would refine the detail of some of the proposals, such as the agenda of annual meetings of the Commission, roles and responsibilities for Vice-Chairs of Codex Committees, etc.
80. The CCNASWP reinforced the importance of Codex development and implementing strategies to ensure it retains its position as the pre-eminent global body for the setting of food standards and that it refines its modus operandi to ensure it remains responsive to emerging needs while retaining the confidence of member countries, industry and consumers. In this regard, CCNASWP welcomed the initiatives of the Chairman and the work of the CCEXEC drafting group. The Committee urged member countries of the Region to participate actively in the further development of the Strategic Statement and the Medium-Term Plan as a vehicle for delivering the mandate of the Commission.
81. In concluding the discussion on this matter, the Committee noted that the Chairman’s Action Plan was a good initiative and agreed to extend its congratulations to the Chairman of the CAC for the Action Plan.
Future work
82. In considering its future work, the Committee noted that at its future meetings the procedural and reporting items could be condensed into one or two items and that greater focus should be given to work with developing countries within the Region. Australia, as Regional Representative for the South-west Pacific Region, informed the Committee that it would be prepared to take action toward assisting the developing countries to identify key areas of work for the Agenda of the 7th session of CCNASWP.
83. The Committee also noted that CCNASWP provided a good opportunity to develop further partnerships between developed and developing countries as had been encouraged by the Commission.
84. In terms of future work, the Committee agreed that work priorities should include the following ongoing and new areas of work:
