CODEX 50th ANNIVERSARY EVENT “THE ROLE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS IN THE

OPENING OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND ITS IMPACT ON SMEs COMPETITIVENESS”

SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA

27 – 29 NOVEMBER 2013 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

THE DEVELOPMENT DIMENSION OF THE

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

MRS AWILO OCHIENG PERNET Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

OUTLINE

1. Introduction: International food standards and development

2. What is Codex? – Celebrating the Codex 50th Anniversary

3. Codex and countries with economies in transition and developing countries (DC)

4. Application of risk analysis in Codex 5. Challenges faced by DC in Codex 6. Future perspectives: The Codex Strategic

Plan 2014-2019

1. INTRODUCTION: International food standards and development

Agricultural trade and development

SUCCESS STORY - INDIA «Indian farmers Shravani Devi Pachar and her husband Om Prakash have probably never have heard of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. But they are leading healthier and happier lives because they decided to follow Indian organic standards derived from Codex organics guidelines. Their lives have been transformed by better yields, a healthier environment and new marketing opportunities.» Available at http://www.codexalimentarius.org/50th-anniversary/Video

1. INTRODUCTION: International food standards and development

Agricultural trade and development

The increase in agricultural trade is acknowledged to contribute to poverty reduction and to lead to accelerated economic growth.

Access to food trade: compliance with SPS and technical requirements

Compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical requirements is a prerequisite to access international food trade.

Codex standards: international harmonisation

Established in 1963 by the FAO and the WHO, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) develops international food safety and quality standards aimed at protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.

Statutes of the CAC: Art 1 (a)

Codex standards: international harmonisation - coordination

Codex also has the role of

promoting coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental (IGOs) and non governmental organisations (NGOs).

Statutes of the CAC: Art 1 (b)

Codex and WTO

Since 1995, the CAC is the international reference for food safety recognised by the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

Implementation of Codex standards : success stories

Evidence shows that efficient national food safety management systems including the effective implementation of Codex standards enable DC to enhance agri-food export performances and to access international food markets.

Importance of DC participation in Codex

DC participation in Codex is important as “it results in a more inclusive, equitable and participatory global standard-setting body and a “triple-win” for participating countries.

DC that participate in Codex benefit from Codex standards through:

- better protection of public health on both ends of the trade chain;

- enhanced trade opportunities and

- enhanced economic development” World Health Organisation (2011). FAO/WHO Project and Fund for Enhanced Participation in Codex (Codex

Trust Fund), Food Safety and Zoonoses, WHO, Revision 18 April 2011.

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2. WHAT IS CODEX? – Celebrating the Codex 50th Anniversary

A 1: The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is a JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME that was established in 1963.

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A 2: THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS (FOOD CODE)

The official compilation of all current official Codex Standards, Guidelines, Codes of Practice and Recommendations.

http://www.codexalimentarius.org/standards/en/

The 13 “paper” volumes have been replaced by “electronic” texts and special thematic publications.

WHAT IS CODEX AND

HOW IS IT ORGANISED? The Codex Alimentarius Commission

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The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

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The Codex Alimentarius Commission Food safety : Consumer health protection

Food safety: Along the entire food chain

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ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAC

The Codex Alimentarius Commission was established by FAO and WHO in 1963 with the mandate to develop harmonised international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in the food trade.

MEMBERSHIP: The CAC currently has 186 Members.

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

SAFE, GOOD FOOD FOR EVERYONE

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OBSERVERS

220 Codex Observers - 50 IGOs, 154 NGOs, 16 UN.

Inter-Governmental Organisations e.g. WTO, OIE, IPPC, IAEA, etc.

International Non-Governmental Organisations representing various stakeholders e.g. consumers primary food producers, food retailers, academia, etc.

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The 186 Codex Members come from seven geographical regions: Africa

Asia

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

North America

Near East

South-West Pacific

There are six FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

Latin America and the Caribbean (Costa Rica)

Europe (The Netherlands)

Near East (Lebanon)

Asia (Japan)

Africa (Cameroon) North America and South

West Pacific

(Papua New Guinea)

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The Codex Secretariat is based at the FAO Headquarters in Rome.

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1995 … WTO recognition of the CAC

The CAC has established itself as the internationally-recognised food standards setting body.

Since 1995, the CAC is the international reference for food safety recognised by the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

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CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

SAFE, GOOD FOOD FOR EVERYONE

The first session of the CAC took place in Rome in 1963.

FAO Headquarters, Rome (Italy)

WHO Headquarters, Geneva (Switzerland)

The CAC currently meets annually alternatively in Rome (Italy) or in Geneva (Switzerland).

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Codex 50th Anniversary

1963-2013: 50 years of Codex Standard-Setting Work

Codex 50th Anniversary Homepage: http://www.codexalimentarius.org/50th-anniversary/

26 Photos: FAO

Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

High-level official opening ceremony of the 36th session of the CAC (Rome, July 2013) by

Mrs Margaret Chan, DG of WHO and Mr Graziano da Silva, DG of FAO.

All the opening speeches are available at http://www.codexalimentarius.org/50th-anniversary/opening-speeches 27

Mrs Gloria Abraham Peralta, Minister Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

Costa Rica

High-level Opening Ceremony

Mr Stanislaw Kowalczyk, Chief Inspector of Agriculture and Food Quality Poland

Mr Ylhamberdi Gayypov, Deputy Head of State Ministry of Health and Medical Industry Turkmenistan

Mrs Yayoi Tsujiyama, Director International Affairs, Food Safety and Consumer Policy Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Japan

Mr Giuseppe Castiglione, Undersecretary of State Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forest Policies Italy

High-level Official Opening Ceremony

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Mr Louis Lahoud, Director-General Ministry of Agriculture Lebanon

Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister Ministry of Health and Family Welfare India

Mr Assik Tommy Tomscoll, Minister Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Papua New Guinea

High-level official opening ceremony

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Mr Sanjay Dave, Chairperson Codex Alimentarius Commission

Codex Members from all regions fully adhere to the dual objectives of Codex:

- protecting the health of consumers and

- ensuring fair practices in the food trade (preventing fraud, deceptive practices, avoiding unjustified barriers to the food trade) (also refer to the Strategic Plan 2014-2019).

3. CODEX AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

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Overall participation in CAC/ Codex Committee sessions has increased tremendously following the global recognition of the important role played by Codex in the field of food safety and quality and the importance of Codex standards in international trade.

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DC participation in CAC/Codex Committee sessions has grown rapidly over the years also thanks to the support given by the Codex Trust Fund that was established in 2003.

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Codex Membership has increased tremendously:

- 25 Founding Members in 1963 (according to the list on the Codex website accessed: 29.11.2013)

- 186 Members in 2013

Source: http://www.codexalimentarius.org/members-observers/members/en/?no_cache=1

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DC participate actively in the decision shaping (elaboration and development of Codex standards, Codex step procedure) and in the decision making (adoption of Codex standards) thereby making the CAC a truly global organisation.

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International harmonisation

Codex has adopted over 200 Standards including global and regional standards and numerous other related texts including MRLs, MLs, Guidelines, Codes of Practice, etc.

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4. APPLICATION OF RISK ANALYSIS IN CODEX

50 YEARS OF CODEX …

20 YEARS OF RISK ANALYSIS IN CODEX

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Risk analysis is the basis for Codex food safety work. The general approach to risk analysis was approved by the CAC in 1991-1993. Since then, Codex has developed several important texts such as the

• Definitions of terms related to risk analysis;

• Statements of principle relating to the role of food safety risk assessment (1997);

50 YEARS OF CODEX …

20 YEARS OF RISK ANALYSIS IN CODEX

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Working Principles for risk analysis

• for application in Codex (2003)

• for application by Governments (2007)

• for specific areas of food safety, for example chemical and microbiological contamination. In addition, all relevant committees have established their principles and procedures which are included in the Codex procedural manual e.g. CCCF, CCFA, CCFH, CCNFSDU, CCPR, CCRVDF…

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Risk Analysis and Scientific Advice in Codex:

FAO/WHO Scientific bodies provide independent scientific advice to the CAC and to its subsidiary bodies.

Three of these expert bodies are:

JECFA: the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives;

JEMRA: the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment and the

JMPR: the Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues.

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5. SOME CHALLENGES FACED BY CODEX MEMBERS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES*

• Prioritisation of work in order to ensure that Codex Committees address the most relevant/urgent issues including those of importance to DC;

• Ensuring greater participation by Members, from all regions in presenting new work on medium and long-term issues;

* Source: Compilation of responses from Codex

Chairpersons

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• Raising awareness among policy-makers about the importance of food safety;

• Strengthening national Codex structures including Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees;

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• Lack of capacity to collect and analyse data to support science-based decisions;

• Need for capacity building in the field of risk assessment;

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• Taking into account the different levels of development among Regional Committee Members;

• Enhancing communication and cooperation among Members from the same region;

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• Identifying and using technology that transcends travel cost limitations;

• Need for support to continue their active participation in Codex work

(Importance of the Codex Trust Fund and successor initiative)

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5. THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

The Codex Strategic Plan underpins the high priority placed on food safety and quality by FAO and WHO and it ensures that the Codex Alimentarius Commission will carry out the responsibilities given to it by FAO and WHO.

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The Codex Strategic Plan 2014-2019 was adopted at the 36th session of the CAC (Rome, 1-5.7.2013)

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Photos: FAO

THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

DRIVERS OF CHANGE

The dynamics of the Codex standards-setting activities have changed dramatically since the CAC was established in 1963:

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Increase in Codex membership (186 Members)

Increase in active participation from all Members, especially those from developing countries

Food and food ingredients are amongst the most traded commodities internationally.

THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

DRIVERS OF CHANGE

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Innovation in food science

and technology

Climate change

Consumer concerns*

Ressource optimisation

efforts

Changes in the global feed and food

supply chain system

Food security concerns

* The consideration of other factors in the Codex standards-setting process is governed by the Statements of Principle Concerning the Role of Science in the Codex Decision-Making Process and the Extent to Which Other Factors are Taken into Account.

Consumer concerns*

THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

The Commission must adapt to this evolving environment and be capable of

proactively responding

in a timely manner

to emerging

food safety,

food quality and

nutrition issues

in order to

protect the health of consumers and

ensure fair practices in the food trade.

THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT

CODEX CORE VALUES

STRATEGIC GOALS

OBJECTIVES

ACTIVITIES

DETAILED WORKPLAN (including activities, responsible parties, time-line, expected outcome and measurable indicators/outputs)

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THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT

To be the preeminent international food standards-setting body to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

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THE CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2019

CODEX CORE VALUES

In fulfilling its strategic vision, Codex adheres to core values that include, but are not limited to:

- Collaboration - Inclusiveness - Consensus building - Transparency

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Strategic Goal 1: Establish international food standards that address current and emerging food issues.

Strategic Goal 2: Ensure the application of risk analysis principles in the development of Codex standards.

Strategic Goal 3: Facilitate the effective participation of all Codex Members.

The Codex Strategic Plan 2014-2019 4 Strategic Goals:

Strategic Goal 4: Implement effective and efficient work management systems and practices.

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Strategic Goal 1: Establish international food standards that address current and emerging food issues.

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• Establish new and review existing Codex standards, based on priorities of the CAC.

Objective 1.1

• Proactively identify emerging issues* and Member needs and, where appropriate, develop relevant food standards.

Objective 1.2

• Strengthen coordination and cooperation with other international standards-setting organisations seeking to avoid duplication of efforts and optimise opportunities.

Objective 1.3

* Emerging food safety and nutrition issues are interpreted to include scientific and technological innovations and emerging hazards, related to ongoing investigations or extra-ordinary events (e.g. natural disaster, external threats).

• Proactively identify emerging issues* and Member needs and, where appropriate, develop relevant food standards.

Objective 1.2

Strategic Goal 2: Ensure the application of risk analysis principles in the development of Codex Standards.

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• Ensure consistent use of risk analysis principles and scientific advice.

Objective 2.1

• Achieve sustainable access to scientific advice.

Objective 2.2

• Increase scientific input from developing countries.

Objective 2.3

Strategic Goal 2: Ensure the application of risk analysis principles in the development of Codex Standards.

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• Increase scientific input from developing countries.

Objective 2.3

Strategic Goal 3: Facilitate the effective participation of all Codex Members.

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• Increase the effective participation of developing countries in Codex .

Objective 3.1

Strategic Goal 3: Facilitate the effective participation of all Codex Members.

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• Promote capacity development programmes that assist countries in creating sustainable national Codex structures.

Objective 3.2

Strategic Goal 4: Implement effective and efficient work management systems and practices.

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• Strive for an effective, efficient, transparent and consensus-based standards-setting process.

Objective 4.1

• Enhance the capacity to arrive at consensus in the standard-setting process.

Objective 4.2

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CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

SAFE, GOOD FOOD FOR EVERYONE

Congratulations Costa Rica for having organised this successful

Codex 50th Anniversary Event!

Muchas gracias por su atención

Mrs Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Lic. in Law, MSc, Cert. Human Nutr. Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland awilo.ochieng@bag.admin.ch

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CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

SAFE, GOOD FOOD FOR EVERYONE