Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Codex News Item, 14 November 2022
Members gathered in a physical setting for the first time since 2020 for the opening of the 83rd Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission being held in FAO HQ, Rome, Italy from 14-18 November 2022. Online delegates are also taking part ensuring full participation.
FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero welcomed delegates to the face-to-face environment which he described as “helpful when tackling the complex issues and negotiations” on their agenda. “I trust as a committee you will engage wisely and assess as a team the priority issues and the most productive way forward to ensure you build consensus in accordance with the core values of Codex,” he said.
Naoko Yamamoto, Assistant Director-General, WHO, also addressed the meeting via video message, underlining the importance of the scientific advice provided by FAO and WHO to Codex and its Members. “Codex food safety, nutrition standards and guidelines should be clearly based on science. The workload of scientific bodies is increasing. That’s a good sign, but it requires adequate resources, which we attempt to secure,” she said.
The Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom, described some of the topics for discussion before the Executive Committee including on operationalization of the statements of principle; on new food sources and production systems, and on a blueprint for the future of Codex. “With your valuable input through consultations, virtual discussion, and here this week I hope we will be able to … make recommendations to the Commission” he said.
Three Vice-Chairpersons, six Regional Coordinators and seven elected representatives from the geographical groups in Codex form the Executive Committee. A key function for the committee is the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development through a "critical review" of proposals to undertake work and monitoring the progress of standards development.
