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1st Codex Stakeholder Forum 2004 - Outcomes
Introduction
Dr Gardner Murray, Executive Director, Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry opened the Forum. Dr Murray outlined the objectives of the Forum and welcomed the attendance of such a broad range of stakeholders.In opening the Forum, Dr Murray stressed that Australia has been a strong participant in Codex for a number of years, and more recently had played a strong role in the Evaluation of Codex undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002. Dr Murray explained that the Forum had been part of an initiative agreed to by the National Codex Committee to reach a wider audience and to provide a mechanism for discussion and exchange of views for government, industry and consumer stakeholders. Dr Murray also stressed the importance of government and stakeholders working together to ensure that outcomes in Codex are consistent with Australia’s objectives.
Key speakers
Key speakers from government provided participants with an overview of the Codex consultative processes both nationally and internationally, highlighted the key outcomes of the Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting held in July 2004, stressed the importance of Codex in the WTO context, clarified the relationship between domestic and international standards, and gave an outline of the initiatives being undertaken to improve understanding and participation by the processed food industry in Codex.Industry speakers provided an overview of mechanisms used by different industries to ensure effective participation and some of the reasons for their participation. These included employment of dedicated consultants and use of industry organisations such as the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Dairy Australia Ltd. These speakers also outlined some of the reasons behind their participation including:
- a need to harmonise maximum residue limits globally
- coordination across industry ensuring that industry sectors speak with one voice
- ensuring that government is provided with advice on what is practical and achievable and the importance of industry providing that advice
Other key messages were the importance of partnerships between government and industry in developing Australian positions as well as the importance of industry sectors working through international organisations to provide Codex with expert technical advice.
A session on the upcoming issues in several Codex committees was also useful in highlighting the range of issues that are dealt with by Codex. These issues include proposed revision to:
- the definition of food
- risk analysis principles
- traceability/product tracing
- country of origin labelling
- new work in the area of foods derived from biotechnology
- ongoing supply of scientific data in respect of maximum residue limits and food additives and contaminants, and
- various standards in relation to commodity specific industries such as fresh and processed fruit and vegetables.
The importance of maintaining the science-based decision-making process was a key message throughout the day, along with the importance of balancing priorities of protecting consumer’s health and fair practices in the food trade. Speakers stressed the need for government to have access to the latest available scientific and technical information in support of government positions to Codex meetings and that industry involvement in providing input is essential to underpin Australia’s positions.
Feedback
Initial feedback on the Forum indicates that participants found that the Forum had helped to clarify information and that the presentations and the program had been informative to their particular circumstances. A number of participants indicated that this should be a regular event. Participants also indicated that future Forums could perhaps address some of the following:|
- more discussion on issues of a general nature
- more specific case studies
- running concurrent sessions on specific committees
- more detail on some of the overarching issues ie traceability/product tracing
- seeking input on issues for discussion from prospective participants
- workshopping specific standards
- updates from Codex delegates, and
- provide more opportunity for discussion and resolution of contentious issues.
Objectives
The objectives for the Stakeholder Forum were:
- to raise awareness of the importance of the work of Codex for Australia's agriculture-food producing industries and ensure that stakeholders are fully engaged in the Codex consultation process for the committees/issues that are relevant to their interests
- to enhance the ability of food producing industries to contribute to Australia's input to, and decision processes in regard to the work of Codex and identify measures that will assist government in representing the interests of industry across the work of Codex committees
- provide stakeholders with a report on the year in review and provide advice on where Codex Australia sees priority/key issues for the next 12 months
- provide a forum for stakeholders to put forward their views on Codex issues in addition to the Advisory Panel Process, and
- develop a network of key stakeholder groups for the purpose of exchanging information/views on broad Codex policy issues outside annual committee meetings.
Key content areas
Overview of the Codex committee process and the Codex consultation processes that exist within Australia and on an international level including how Codex standards are developed, debated and endorsed and when and how you can contribute to them:
- how Codex standards affect your industry and how you can play a part in influencing the direction of Codex standards that may affect your industry.
- Codex – the year in review 2003/2004: including outcomes of the 27th Session of Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting held in June/July 2004
- guest speakers from industry outlining their involvement with Codex, and
- discussion on priority/key issues for Codex in 2004/2005.
Contact Codex Australia
Codex Australia
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6272 4542
Facsimile: (02) 6272 3103
Email: Codex Australia
http://www.codexaustralia.gov.au