Ireland’s national consultative mechanism for Codex programme is co-ordinated through the Irish Codex Advisory Committee (ICAC). The ICAC provides a forum to enable all relevant government departments/agencies, NGO’s, consumers and industry bodies to make known their views, in a structured way, for consideration in the formulation of the official national position on all Codex issues. The ICAC meets as required which tends to be approx. 2 times per year. Consideration of the agendas of the most relevant Codex sessions taking place before the next meeting of the ICAC. Consideration of reports of Irish delegates who attended Codex sessions that took place since the preceding ICAC meeting. Activities Advise on the implications of the food standardisation and control measures being elaborated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and its various subsidiary committees and how best to achieve Ireland’s strategic objectives. Inform industry/consumers on the implications of Codex measures. Identify and discuss priority issues/sessions from an Irish perspective, particularly those of a horizontal nature. Guide the preparation of replies to Codex Circular Letters – directly or input to EU reply. Advise on composition of Irish delegation to various Codex sessions. Ensure consistency in approach across the different Codex Committees.