October 2006
Extract from the Report of the 9 th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee For North America and the South West Pacific, 10-13 October 2006 (See: http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/report/667/al30_32e.pdf )
Tonga is now in the process of drafting its national food standards; hence the Codex standards and guidelines have been used to draft these national standards by simply adopting and adapting of the Codex standards. These standards will not be enforced until the proposed Food Act is enacted, which is anticipated to be by the end of 2007 or end of 2008 at the latest. Lack of national technical capabilities in this area has resulted in difficulties in the adaptation of the Codex standards and guidelines at the national level.
As an acceding country to WTO and signatory to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) and the Pacific Agreement for Closer Economic Relation (PACER), Tonga recognises the importance of using Codex standards and guidelines to ensure harmonization of legislation and regulations in the region and worldwide. However, given this is a new area and scope for the food businesses in Tonga , the initial cost to the food industries to comply with these standards and regulations would be high and they may pass on this cost to the consumers.
The problem for Tonga at this time or when the proposed Food Act would come into effect in late 2008/2009 is to ensure the food industries and consumers understand the need to upgrade the food control activities in Tonga and commit to its enforcement.
Information last updated - November 2006