Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
|
|
Codex News Item, 12 July 2021
More than 300 delegates gathered virtually for the opening of the 25th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF), hosted by the United States of America, which will run from 12 to 16 July 2021. Chairperson Kevin Greenlees welcomed the opportunity the virtual environment made allowing the committee to become more inclusive then ever with such high numbers of participants.
CCRVDF will look at proposed draft maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various veterinary drugs, and examine discussion papers that may lead to new approaches on CCRVDF work on residues of veterinary drugs at different points in the Codex standard adoption process.
In opening remarks the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Guilherme Da Costa, Brazil, said: “The use of all drugs, in humans and animals, creates both benefits and risks. With proper controls, the benefits exceed the risks. Veterinary drugs are a critical component of food-animal production. They provide many advantages related to animal health, animal welfare, and economic return for Member Countries.”
Other matters on the agenda include the priority list for evaluation/re-evaluation of existing or new veterinary drugs for the establishment of new or revised MRLs and the results of efforts with the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) to develop a common definition for edible offal — which will be a fascinating test case for the elaboration and harmonization of MRLs for compounds with dual uses as veterinary drugs and pesticides.
