Foodlaw-Reading

Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK

Report of the 24th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa

The report can be downloaded from the Codex website (click on image).

Responsible Party

Purpose

Text/Topic

Code

Step

Para(s)

Members / CCEXEC 83 / CAC45

Comments / Adoption

Draft Standard for dried meat

N07-2016

8

40, App III

Proposed Draft guidelines for developing harmonised food safety legislation for the CCAFRICA region

N01-2020

5/8

67, App IV

Proposed revisions to Section 7.2, 7.3 and 6.2 (Labelling of non-retail containers) of the:

• Regional Standard for unrefined Shea Butter (CXS 325R-2017);
• Regional Standard for fermented cooked cassava based products (CXS 334R-2020);
• Regional Standard for fresh leaves of Gnetum spp (CXS 335R-2020).

-

-

24 (iv), App II

CAC45

Action

Appointment of the Regional Coordinator for Africa

91

CCMAS / CCFL

Endorsement / Information

Relevant sections of the proposed draft standard for dried meat

40 (ii)

CCFL

Information

Revision to the relevant labelling sections for non-retail containers in the regional Standard for unrefined Shea Butter (CXS 325R-2017); regional Standard for fermented cooked cassava-based products (CXS 334R-2020); and the regional Standard for fresh leaves of gnetum spp (CXS 335R-2020)

24 (vi),App II

Coordinator and Members

Action

Removal of the Agenda Item from CCAFRICA Agenda Paper

70

FAO/WHO and Members

Action and Information

Keynote address- The new food safety strategy for Africa

CCAFRICA24:

• recognized the unique opportunity Codex texts presented for the continent to raise food safety standards;
• noted the important role of partners and other institutions in supporting countries in being able to deliver safe food not only for the African continent but for other trading partners and
• called on its Members to continue to collaborate across the region and also with FAO and WHO to raise the profile of food safety at the policy level, noting the need to seek synergies between the new food safety strategy for Africa, and those of FAO and WHO.

16

Coordinator and Members

Action and Information

Codex@60 and ongoing discussions in CCEXEC

CCAFRICA24:

i. encouraged Members and Observers, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary, to plan and implement activities to build awareness of Codex and to engage high level political support for Codex work at a national level and to consider convening a regional event to mark the 60th anniversary;

ii. encouraged Members and Observers to actively engage in opportunities to contribute to the discussions in CCEXEC (i.e. the operationalization of the Statement of Principles (SoP); the future of Codex; new food sources and production systems, and monitoring the use of Codex standards) through the Coordinator;

24 (i), (ii) & 89 (v

CAC,CCEXEC / Members and CTF Secretariat

Information

Codex work relevant to the region

CCAFRICA24 agreed to:

i. support ongoing work in various Codex Committee that is of relevance to the region.

ii. confirm that the areas identified in the paper were the key priority areas for CCAFRICA, and that the list was not exhaustive;

iii. encourage members to continue participating in the various EWGs, in particular those focusing on new areas or emerging issues;

iv. encourage the 14 eligible members from the region to take advantages of the support offered by CTF2, and to submit their applications to round 7.

75

FAO/WHO and Members

Action and Information

Food quality and safety situation in countries of the Region: Current and emerging issues

CCAFRICA24:

• noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FBOs and the need for continuous support from FAO and WHO to build capacity on food safety and quality in the region;
• noted the significant repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine on food security in the region due to the important reliance of many African countries on staple food imports from Ukraine and/or the Russian Federation;
• noted the information on the establishment of the food safety strategies globally and in the Africa region and called for enhanced coordination of the already existing cooperation;
• - recognized the effort of FAO and WHO in the region towards supporting the establishment and/or strengthening of national food control systems and further recognized the support provided through the CTF.

81

Members

Action and Information

Implementation of the Codex strategic plan 2020-2025 by CCAFRICA

CCAFRICA24:

i. recognized the progress made in implementing the Regional Work Plan 2020-2022 to support implementation of the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and the regional communications work plan;

ii. endorsed the communications work plan for 2022-2024 as presented (Appendix VI);

iii. endorsed the regional work plan 2022-2024 to support implementation of the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (Appendix VII);

iv. confirmed that the existing Codex communication channels were still relevant and encouraged members to ensure formal communications from the Codex-L were appropriately distributed at national level; and

v. recognized the efforts being made by Members towards celebrating Codex@60 and WFSD and encouraged all members in the region to start planning to ensure these opportunities could be effectively used to promote engagement in food safety and secure policy and political commitment to Codex and food safety.

89

Senegal and Interested members

Drafting

Prepare and submit discussion papers and project documents for new work on the development of a standard for kethiakh; and new work on the development of a standard for tiacry.

96