26-29 October 2004

CODEX – Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (15 th Session) - Washington D.C. , USA

The Fifteenth Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods reached the following conclusions:

MATTERS FOR ADOPTION BY THE 28TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION:

The Committee recommended to the Commission:

Adoption of texts at Step 8

• Draft MRLs for cyhalothrin, flumequine, neomycin and dicyclanil (para. 92 and Appendix II).

Adoption of texts at Steps 5/8

• Proposed draft MRLs for imidocarb (para. 92 and Appendix III);
• Proposed draft Code of Practice to Minimise and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance (para. 117 and Appendix VIII).

Adoption of texts at Step 5

• Proposed draft MRLs for flumequine (in black tiger shrimp), pirlimycin, cypermetrhrin and alphacypermethrin and doramectin (in cow's milk) (para. 92 and Appendix V).

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE 28TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION:

The Committee recommended:

Proposal for new work

• Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring Evaluation of Re-evaluation (para. 171 and Appendix IX).

Revocation of Codex MRL

• Codex MRLs for carbadox (para. 27).

Discontinuation of work on MRL

• Draft and Proposed draft MRLs for phoxim (in cattle tissues and cow's milk), cefuroxime (in cow's milk), cypermethrin (in sheep tissues) and alpha-cypermethrin (in cattle and sheep tissues and cow's milk) (para. 93 and Appendix VII).

MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION:

The Committee agreed:

Draft and proposed draft MRLs

• To retain at Step 7 the draft MRLs for trichlorfon (metrifonate) and at Step 4 proposed draft MRL for ractopamine (para. 92 and Appendices IV and VI);

Proposed draft revised Guidelines for the Establishment of a Regulatory Program for the Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods

• To return the proposed draft revision of the Guidelines to Step 2, for redrafting by a Working Group based on the written comments submitted and the discussion at the current session, for circulation, comments and consideration at its 16th Session (para. 123).

Part II of the proposed draft revised Guidelines for the Establishment of a Regulatory Program for the Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods

• To return the proposed draft revision of Part II of the Guidelines to Step 2 and that a Working Group would redraft all sections on methods of analysis and sampling in the Guidelines (Part I, II and III) for comments and further consideration at its 16th Session. The Committee noted that the sections would be revised concurrently with the main body of the Guidelines concerning regulatory programmes and agreed that close coordination should be exercised between the relevant Working Groups. (paras 132-133).

Review of Performance-based Criteria for Methods of Analysis for Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

• To use the document prepare for its 14th Session (CX/RVDF 03/10) as the resource document for the revision pf Part II and part III of the Guidelines and that there would be no more work on this document (para. 155)

Risk Management Methodologies, including Risk Assessment Policies in the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

• That the discussion paper should be redrafted as a working document for in the Procedural Manual, with a view to its finalisation at its next Session. The Committee agreed that the document should be redrafted by a Working Group taking into account written comments, the discussion at the present Session and the recommendations of the Joint FAO/WHO Technical Workshop on Residues of Veterinary Drugs without ADI/MRL where applicable, for comments and consideration at its 16th Session (para. 153).

Identification of Routine Methods of Analysis for Veterinary Drug Residues

• To circulate the list of methods of analysis for veterinary drug residues for comments and for inclusion of additional methods and considered further at its 16th Session, with a view to the finalisation of suitable methods for adoption as Codex methods for the determination of veterinary drug residues (para. 159).

Recommendations for Residues of Veterinary Drugs without ADI/MRLs

• To establish a Working Group to develop recommendations on how to deal with compounds for which an ADI or MRL could not be set. The Committee agreed that a Circular Letter would be sent to collect the following information: all compounds with no Codex MRLs used at the national level for food animals; compounds in use that raise health concerns; compounds in use that create trade problem; compounds recommended for inclusion in a negative list and the reason for inclusion in that list; national or regional MRLs; and other tolerances or application of an analytical limit for detection of determination. And that, on the basis of the information received, a Working Group, would establish two lists of compounds; establish criteria for their prioritisation; prioritise the listed compound for future consideration; develop recommendation of how to proceed with their consideration; where necessary, discuss other risk management option; and develop a timetable for action for consideration at its 16 th Session (paras 174-176).

Rounding of ADIs for Veterinary Drugs prior to setting MRLs

• To set MRLs using the calculated ADI and publish the calculated ADI as JECFA's recommendation and to refer its discussion to JECFA. The Committee agreed to apply this policy to future evaluation by JECFA and that the recalculation of MRLs for substances already considered by JECFA would be requested on a case-by-case basis through the routine procedure of prioritization of substances for JECFA evaluation/re-evaluation (paras 184-185)

Ad hoc Working Groups on Methods of Analysis and Sampling and on Priorities

• To convene the ad hoc Working Group on Methods of Analysis and Sampling and on Priorities prior to its next Session under the Chairmanship of Australia (paras 160 and 177)