Codex Report (REP11/AFRICA), 1 - 4 February 2011

CODEX - Report of the 19th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa Accra, Ghana

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The Nineteenth Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa reached the following conclusions:

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE 34TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION AND BY THE 65TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

The Coordinating Committee:

• did not make any specific recommendations on the need for further guidance on traceability/product tracing;
• agreed to submit a number of recommendations regarding measures that the Commission and FAO/WHO could take in connection with private food safety standards;
• noted that a worldwide standard for processed cheese was necessary, but that if that was not possible, a regional standard for Africa should be developed;
• took note of the written replies submitted on Activities 4.5 and 5.5 and that mechanisms had been established to promote interdisciplinary coordination at the national level as specified under Activity 4.5 and to enhance participation of NGOs at the national level as specified under Activity 5.5;
• provided answers and information to the questionnaire seeking suggestions for the development of the Codex Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018;
• did not support the options proposed to limit participation in physical working groups;
• agreed that there should be a gradual shift from Objective 1 to Objectives 2 and 3 of the Codex Trust Fund; that there was a need for capacity building and that it should complement the work of FAO/WHO; that there should be a mechanism to assist graduated countries to continue receiving support from the CTF; that the current criteria should be retained; and that the lifespan of the Trust Fund should be extended; and
• unanimously agreed that Cameroon should be appointed as Regional Coordinator for Africa.

OTHER MATTERS

The Coordinating Committee:

• expressed appreciation to FAO and WHO for their work in the area of capacity building and scientific advice;
• agreed that the coordinator, Ghana, would undertake an evaluation of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for CCAFRICA for discussion in the margins of the 34th CAC on how to further implement the CCAFRICA Strategic Plan; and
• exchanged information on national food control systems, consumer participation in food standards setting, use of Codex standards at national and regional level and nutritional issues in the region.