Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Codex Web Site, 14-18 July 2014
CAC37 was attended by delegates representing 170 member countries, 1 member organisation (European Union) and 28 observer organisations at the level of technical experts, senior administrators and researchers.
Programme Results -
The Commission:
a) Adopted new and revised food quality and safety standards and related texts for application by Governments and inclusion in the Procedural Manual of the Codex Alimentarius Commission;
b) Approved 16 items for new work, including priority lists of veterinary drugs and pesticides for evaluation or re-evaluation by JECFA and JMPR, respectively; proposals for discontinuation of work and proposals for revocation of existing provisions;
c) Noted the Codex budget reports for the 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 biennia and highlighted the need for a better budgeting and work-planning process; encouraged Codex Members to advocate for adequate budgetary allocations through the governing bodies of FAO and WHO; expressed appreciation to FAO and WHO for the scientific support and acknowledged the extra-budgetary contribution by Members countries; stressed the importance of funding to ensure provision of scientific advice; and agreed to pursue the examination of the three options for securing addressing the chronic shortage of funds for scientific advice at its 38th Session;
d) Endorsed the conclusion of the Executive Committee to establish a monitoring framework for the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2014-2019;
e) Noted the continued interest in the CTF and its importance to enable participation in Codex; expressed support to the development and implementation of a successor initiative when current CTF ends in 2015; expressed satisfaction with the FAO and WHO Capacity Development programme and encouraged delegates to take advantage of the different tools developed by FAO and WHO to enhance food safety and consumer protection in their countries;
f) Elected as Chairperson Mrs Awilo Ochieng Pernet (Switzerland), and as Vice-Chairpersons: Mr Guilherme Antonio da Costa Jr. (Brazil), Ms Yayoi Tsujiyama (Japan) and Mr Mahamadou Sako (Mali); and appointed Thailand, as Coordinator for Asia;
g) Reactivated the Committee on Milk and Milk Products, hosted by New Zealand, to start new work on a standard for processed cheese; encouraged the Secretariat to enhance efforts to guarantee the timely distribution of documents in all language and identify impediments to the timely availability of documents;
h) Endorsed the recommendations of the Executive Committee concerning the preparation of a paper identifying scope and processes to evaluate the work management of Codex, including the functioning and composition of the Executive Committee; endorsed the guidance to promote collaboration between Codex and OIE; and forwarded guidance on information documents to all Committees.
See also related news item: 17 July 2014 CODEX - UN strengthens regulations on lead in infant formula and arsenic in rice: Joint FAO-WHO Codex Alimentarius Committee sets new food safety standards
