Council Minutes, 15-16 December 2011

CODEX – EU Council informed about developments within the Codex Alimnetarius

Draft Codex strategic plan 2014-2019

The Presidency briefed the ministers on the report on progress and prospects of the Codex Alimentarius negotiations (18334/11).

Four different Codex Alimentarius committees meetings had been held during the Polish Presidency, the most important of which had been, the session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) itself in July 2011. The main outcomes of the CAC proceedings during the Polish Presidency were as follows:

• The organisation of a vote against the adoption of the maximum residues limits (MRLs) for ractopamine (a chemical used for growth promotion in pigs and cattle in certain third countries). If the proposed MRLs were adopted this might possibly result in a trade dispute between the EU and other WTO members.
• The election of a European vice-chair of the CAC;

Several other outcomes included:

• the adoption of the list of acceptable previous cargoes for transport of edible fats and oils in bulk;
• the adoption of the Guidelines for the control of Campylobacter and Salmonella spp in chicken meat
• endorsement of the Compilation of the Codex texts relevant to labelling of foods derived from modern biotechnology (GM food)

In addition, the draft Codex strategic plan for 2014-2019 will be discussed at the forthcoming 66th session of the Executive Committee of the CAC in February 2012 in Geneva. The discussion on the role of science and other important factors in Codex proceedings are key elements of that document.

The Commission and the Member States are currently preparing comments on the Draft Strategic Plan.