Canada's Strategic Framework for Participation in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program.
Food regulators have recognized the need for cooperation and sharing information at the international level for many years. In particular, during the past decade the growth in world food trade, advances in modern communication and increasing mobility of populations have contributed to further elevating the importance of effective and fair food regulatory regimes. This increased globalization of food trade and mobility of populations has heightened the importance of the international activities under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program, in particular those of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), often simply referred to as Codex. Canada has been a member of Codex since its creation in 1963. Activities relevant to Codex undertaken by the different Federal Government departments and agencies contribute to achieving the objectives of the Government of Canada's Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation.
Table of Contents
c1.1 Enhance Canada's relationship with other Codex member countries through proactive and strategic networking to promote consensual decision-making and problem solving within Codex.
1.2 Enhance the level of effectiveness of delegations in promoting Canadian objectives.
1.3 Promote the prioritization of working groups of interest to Canada.
2.1 Enhance national mechanisms to ensure Codex standards are used as appropriate.
2.2 Promote Codex as the basis for international regulatory harmonization.
3.1 Promote the awareness amongst key decision-makers of Codex issues and their implications.
3.2 Promote the effective engagement of Canadian stakeholders, including consumers, industry, health professionals and Provincial and Territorial Governments.
3.3 Promote the interests of the FAO/WHO Food Standards Program at the interdepartmental committees responsible for providing advice on Canada's participation in FAO and WHO.
3.4 Further enhance the IDC/Codex role in the consideration of key strategic issues.
3.5 Enhance the awareness of Codex cross-cutting issues and their implications amongst Canadian delegations.
4.1 Promote the development of science-based standards.
4.2 Promote the application of principle/criteria-based standards where appropriate.
4.3 Promote more effective work-planning by Codex subsidiary bodies.
4.4 Promote the timely development of standards.
Introduction
The most recent strategic plan for Canada's involvement in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program focussed on enhancing our effectiveness in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and was endorsed by the Interdepartmental Committee for Codex (IDC/Codex) in August, 1999. Since that time a number of changes have occurred both domestically and internationally. Domestically, there is the increased recognition of the importance of international regulatory cooperation under the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation. At the international level, in November 2002, the Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of the Codex Alimentarius and Other FAO and WHO Food Standards Work was released. That Report contained a number of recommendations which have been implemented by FAO, WHO and the CAC. In light of these changes a review of Canada's Strategic Plan has been undertaken to ensure it continues to serve Canada's objectives and priorities within the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program.
As a result of this review, it was determined that the current plan needed to be revised to reflect the current reality. While the principal focus of the plan continues to be on ensuring maximum effectiveness of Canada's participation in the standard-setting component, greater emphasis is placed on the functioning of this component within the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. This revised plan identifies a number of strategic objectives grouped around four related themes:
- Enhance Canada's influence on Codex deliberations and outcomes.
- Promote the use of Codex standards as the basis for national policies and regulations.
- Enhance strategic and functional management of Canada's domestic Codex program.
- Promote processes to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Although four distinct themes have been identified, it should be recognized that the strategic objectives are often inter-related and dependant on ancillary activities conducted within the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. For example, the development of science-based standards is dependent on the availability of sound scientific evidence. Such evidence can only be available if the risk assessment activities are sufficiently funded by FAO and WHO. Such funding will only be available if member governments identify these activities as priority program areas for the two agencies. The delivery of a consistent message to both FAO and WHO requires effective coordination at the national level.
The strategic objectives outlined in this document provide a framework to facilitate the development of specific work plans by those Departments/Agencies/Organizations that actually undertake and provide resources to the activities related to Canada's involvement in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. The success of Canada's involvement ultimately rests with them.
Background
The Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program
The Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program consists of three complementary activities: the provision of scientific advice related to food safety, the development of international food standards, and technical assistance/capacity building to assist developing countries in strengthening their food control systems.
The CAC (often referred to simply as Codex) was established in 1963 to implement the standard-setting component of the Joint World Health Organization/ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Food Standards Program. Currently, there are 176 member governments including Canada. The primary mandate of Codex is to develop food standards for the protection of the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in food trade. The standards, guidelines and related texts developed by Codex are intended for voluntary use by governments.
The outputs of the CAC and its subsidiary bodies consist of: commodity standards which establish standards of identity for individual commodities; standards related to maximum limits for pesticide and veterinary drug residues and contaminants; labelling requirements; and codes of practice and guidance on food hygiene and nutrition. Although recognized as an international food standard setting body, the CAC also serves as a useful and important assembly for discussions on emerging food safety and other consumer protection issues.
The membership of the CAC has been growing steadily, particularly with regards to developing countries which now form the majority of the membership. Not only have the numbers been increasing, but more and more developing countries are actively participating in the work of the CAC , due in part to the Codex Trust Fund. Canada must consider how best to expand its partnerships to ensure collaboration and cooperation with more Codex member countries and regions, in particular developing countries.
Codex, the WTO and Global Trade in Food
The impact of Codex standards and related texts on the international trading system has become increasingly significant since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, of which Canada is a member. The WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) set out criteria for the elaboration of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical regulations and standards. For example, the SPS Agreement requires that measures be based on scientific principles and an assessment of the risk. The SPS Agreement specifically identifies Codex standards and related texts as the international benchmark for food safety in recognition of the scientific basis upon which these standards are developed. National measures that "conform to" relevant Codex standards are presumed to be consistent with the provisions of the SPS Agreement.
While not specifically referenced in the TBT Agreement, Codex standards also offer a basis for non-SPS technical regulations and standards such as labelling, packaging and quality requirements.
WTO Members are encouraged to play a full part, within the limits of their resources, in the relevant international standard setting organizations including the CAC . This helps to promote the development of coherent, effective, science-based and transparent standards, which WTO Members are strongly encouraged to use as the basis for their national measures. Greater harmonization of measures will contribute to a more predictable regulatory environment thereby facilitating the conduct of international trade in food.
There continues to be significant growth in world food trade, which has given consumers access to a greater variety of foods. For example, Canada imports food from 175 countries and exports foods to 141 countries, benefiting both Canadian consumers and producers/exporters. It has also created potential opportunities for countries, especially developing and least developed countries, to expand their economic productivity. As a result of the expansion of food trade amongst nations, there is, however, an increased potential for diseases indigenous to one country to be transmitted to other countries. With this international movement of food it is important to develop appropriate international standards to protect the health of the consumer and to ensure fair practices in the food trade.
The National Context
The Government of Canada Regulatory Policy (1999) was replaced by the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining regulations on April 1, 2007. The Directive supports the Government of Canada's commitment to enhance protection of Canadians as well as to facilitate innovation and competitiveness in the Canadian economy. One of the key strategies identified is to improve or enhance coordination and cooperation amongst regulators at the international level.
The activities undertaken by Canada with respect to the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program contribute to the achievement of the objectives of these Government of Canada initiatives.
Canada and Codex
Canada has been involved in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program since the CAC was established. Canada sends delegations to almost all of the sessions of the CAC's subsidiary bodies, proportionate to its objectives and interests, and also hosts the Codex Committee on Food Labelling and the Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins (currently adjourned sine die).
Overall management of Canada's involvement in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program is exercised through the IDC/Codex composed of representatives from Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada. Daily coordination of Canada's participation is exercised through the Office of the Codex Contact Point for Canada which is located in the Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada.
Purpose and Scope
This document identifies Canada's strategic objectives for its involvement in the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program for the period 2008 - 2012. As such, the document is a tool for use by Departments and Agencies in developing and implementing their specific work plans related to Codex activities. The strategic objectives identified in this Framework are grouped around four related themes:
- Enhance Canada's influence on Codex deliberations and outcomes.
- Promote the use of Codex standards as the basis for national policies and regulations.
- Enhance strategic and functional management of Canada's domestic Codex program.
- Promote processes to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Under each theme, a set of objectives is identified. Each objective is substantiated by a rationale and supported by activity(ies) to be implemented to achieve the objective. As stated previously, the ultimate success of Canada's Codex program depends on implementation by departments/ agencies/ organizations of these activities, and the commitment of necessary resources.
Theme one: Enhance Canada's influence on Codex deliberations and outcomes
Objective 1.1
Enhance Canada's relationship with other Codex member countries through proactive and strategic networking to promote consensual decision-making and problem solving within Codex.
Traditionally, Canada has worked closely and successfully with the other QUAD countries (Australia, New Zealand and the United States) in order to identify issues where the four countries could be mutually supportive. However, with the increasing participation of developing and least developed countries, the dynamics of Codex sessions is changing. As Canada wishes to continue advancing issues and promoting its objectives, this new reality must be taken into consideration and activities need to be undertaken to further expand our relationship with other countries/regions, in particular developing and least developed countries
Canada is also recognized for its leadership role in Codex, particularly through its work with FAO and WHO on the development of the Joint FAO/WHO Training Manual for Enhancing Participation in the Work of Codex, and the Codex training workshops it has conducted. This participation in capacity building has the potential to create further opportunities to liaise with a larger number of countries and to be mutually supportive.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Develop and implement an outreach approach which will use issue-specific alliances to achieve objectives and identify " spheres" of influence
- Further enhance our liaisons with Members of the FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific (CCNASWP).
- Identify areas of the CCNASWP strategic plan where Canada can make a contribution and explore mechanisms for this contribution.
- Collaborate with CIDA/FAO/WHO on provision of Codex training (i.e. Canada supplies "experts"; funding from other sources).
Objective 1.2
Enhance the level of effectiveness of delegations in promoting Canadian objectives.
Training and preparation are essential to the effectiveness of Canadian delegations. All members of Canadian delegations are expected to be knowledgeable of the objectives of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program, and to be familiar with the organization of the CAC and how Codex sessions are conducted. The work of a delegation commences far in advance of the actual Codex session and continues long after the meeting has finished - in fact the work of a delegation should be ongoing and recognition of this fact should be obtained. There is also a need to recognize the importance of the continued effectiveness of Canadian delegations, which entails effective succession planning.
Responsibility for ensuring that Canadian positions are adequately prepared resides with the Head Delegate. Preparation includes identifying Canada's objectives for the items under discussion at the Codex session, making certain that stakeholders' views are considered, and coordinating, among IDC/Codex departments and agencies, the development of consensus positions. Canadian positions should be consistent with relevant strategic objectives and corresponding activities of this Strategic Framework. The objectives established by the delegations should take into consideration the priorities and advice given by the IDC/Codex.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Codex Canada and CFIA Codex Coordination Office will develop and carry out training to ensure Canadian delegations are best prepared to promote Canadian objectives e.g. workshops on cross-cutting issues
- Head Delegates should consider the need for early contacts/communication (e.g., emails, holding conference calls) with other delegations prior to departure, particularly to promote Canada's priority issues and objectives.
- Responsibility for recommending a Canadian delegation for endorsement by the IDC/Codex resides with the Head Delegate. The IDC/Codex will facilitate this process by:
- Consider formalizing criteria that should be met by all representatives on Canadian delegations (e.g,. appropriate expertise, willingness to participate for a number of sessions, etc.).
- Continuing to ensure that Canadian delegations consist of the representatives best qualified to address agenda items and promote Canada's objectives.
- To ensure continued effectiveness of delegations, consideration will be given to appropriate succession planning, e.g., training, attendance, involvement in the preparation of positions.
- The IDC/Codex will continue to promote the provision of experts and data, to the extent possible, to the various joint expert bodies (e.g. Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants, Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues, etc.).
- Continue to promote the timely submission of written comments to maximize effectiveness of Canadian interventions.
Objective 1.3
Promote the prioritization of working groups of interest to Canada.
In response to the recommendations of the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Evaluation, a number of Codex Committees are using electronic and physical working groups to do inter-sessional work. These working groups can be very influential in progressing work and it is in Canada's interest to have clarity on priorizing our involvement in these working groups.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Head Delegates to have an early knowledge of issues which may result in the establishment working groups and have clearance (by IDC/Codex) for participation.
- Head Delegates to identify which working groups it may be in Canada's interest to host/lead and obtain IDC/Codex clearance.
Theme two: Promote the use of Codex standards as the basis for national policies and regulations.
Objective 2.1
Enhance national mechanisms to ensure Codex standards are used as the basis for national requirement as appropriate
As a member of the World Trade Organization, Canada is expected to base its domestic food standards and policies on the standards and guidelines adopted by the CAC where those standards and guidelines would achieve Canada's appropriate level of protection or fulfil a legitimate objective. It is therefore important that a process is in place to ensure the systematic review of standards as they are adopted by the Commission and to determine their relevance to Canada. It is recognized that procedures are in place but these should be examined to ensure they are consistently applied throughout the regulatory process.
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Develop procedures to ensure Codex standards are fully considered in the development of policies and guidelines.
- Ensure that the appropriate risk assessment/justification is available in situations where Codex standards are not adopted.
- Following CAC sessions, Head Delegates to communicate to stakeholders the list of relevant standards adopted
Objective 2.2
Promote the use of Codex texts as the basis for international regulatory harmonization.
The WTO SPS and TBT Agreements ascribe great importance to international standards, guidelines and recommendations. WTO Members are strongly encouraged to base their food safety measures and food related technical regulations and standards on Codex standards and related texts in order to minimize unnecessary obstacles to trade while maintaining their right to protect human life or health and to prevent deceptive practices. As Canada is both a major importer and exporter of food, it is in Canada's interest to promote the use of Codex standards and related texts by other countries so as to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. In addition, greater harmonization of measures will contribute to a more predictable regulatory environment thereby facilitating the conduct of international trade in food.
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Use appropriate venues and fora to promote the use of Codex standards as the basis for national regulations and policies.
- Promote the development of Codex texts that are current and relevant for both developed and developing countries.
Theme three: Enhance the strategic and functional management of Canada's Domestic Codex Program
Objective 3.1
Promote the awareness amongst key Canadian decision-makers of Codex issues and their implications.
There is a need for key decision makers to be aware of issues under consideration in Codex and their implications for Canada.
Canada imports food from 175 countries, a significant quantity of which comes from developing and least developed countries. Often, these countries have limited resources to support food control systems and thus tend to adopt the international standards developed by Codex, which are applicable along the entire food continuum. Therefore, Canada's involvement in the work of Codex benefits Canadian consumers by contributing to development of science-based standards that can be used and implemented by Codex member countries, which in turn contributes to enhancing the safety of food in international trade.
Canada exports food to 141 countries, benefiting Canada's producers/exporters. Increased consistency between Canadian standards and international standards facilitates the movement of Canadian food products as they would be less susceptible to trade barriers.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Departments should identify and take advantage of appropriate senior level government, industry, consumer venues to raise awareness of Codex issues and their implications
- Within government level, be proactive in promoting the awareness of Codex in Canada by placing Codex on the agenda of senior management meetings
Objective 3.2
Promote the effective engagement of Canadian stakeholders, including consumers, industry, health professionals and Provincial and Territorial Governments.
As both consumers and industry are affected by the standards, guidelines and related texts developed by Codex, it is important, therefore, that these stakeholders have an opportunity to input into the development of relevant standards. A clearly defined consultative process that maximizes involvement of Canadian stakeholders will provide a greater pool of expertise upon which to draw in developing Canadian positions. This will contribute to the strengthening of Canada's influence in the elaboration of Codex Standards.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Head delegates will actively engage key stakeholders with an interest in, or that can potentially be affected by work undertaken by the Committee for which they are responsible. Building on Codex Canada's communication activities, this could include, for example, direct contact with key stakeholders, provision of additional text to the solicitations for comments circulated and/or posted by Codex Canada, etc.
- Pursue opportunities to conduct presentations on Codex in order to raise awareness of the international standard setting process and its relevancy.
- Continue to encourage early input from all government agencies for consideration by Head Delegates in drafting positions.
- Continue to review current communications mechanisms in order to identify and make use of best practices for stakeholder engagement. (e.g. time lines, clear understanding of stakeholder's expectations, etc.)
Objective 3.3:
Promote the awareness and interests of the FAO/WHO Food Standards Program at the interdepartmental committees responsible for providing advice on Canada's participation in FAO and WHO, including the need for increased and sustained funding.
Canada is a member of both the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and of the World Health Organization (WHO). The responsibility for interdepartmental coordination of Canada's FAO related activities resides with Programs and Multilateral Affairs, Market and Industry Services Branch of AAFC. Coordination of Canada's activities related to the WHO resides with the International Affairs Directorate, Health Policy Branch, Health Canada.
Both FAO and WHO exercise oversight over the activities of the CAC and provide the resources it requires in order to carry out its functions. These two UN organizations have different mandates but both are operating in an environment of fiscal restraint. This creates a challenge to ensure that the two organizations provide sufficient and sustainable funding to the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. In particular WHO focusses on and gives priority to activities related to disease prevention and treatment and hence food standard setting issues can be overshadowed by other priorities, e.g. HIV/AIDS and Avian Flu strategies.
Given the diversity of interests at FAO and WHO, it is crucial that Canada delivers strong messages at both the FAO Conference and the World Health Assembly in support of allocating sufficient and sustainable resources to the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. Canada also needs to liaise with other FAO and WHO member governments through its Permanent Missions in Rome and Geneva to encourage them to support the identification of food safety as a high priority and to provide adequate funding.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Representatives from IDC/Codex will continue to actively participate in and report on interdepartmental activities pertaining to the Interdepartmental Committee for FAO (chaired by AAFC) and with International Affairs Directorate of Health Canada to ensure that a consistent message is communicated regarding the need to identify food safety as a high priority for FAO and WHO.
- Enhance the use of the Permanent Missions in Rome and Geneva to liaise with other member governments on key Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program budgetary and program issues.
- Where appropriate, Canadian Codex delegations will take advantage of opportunities to communicate with members of other delegations on the importance of securing sufficient and sustainable funding to the joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program, (e.g. food safety QUAD/CCNASWP, etc.).
Objective 3.4:
Further enhance the IDC/Codex role in the consideration of key strategic issues.
Although overall coordination of Canadian Codex activities is the responsibility of the Office of the Codex Contact Point for Canada located in Health Canada, no single department or agency has sole responsibility for managing the program. The management function is exercised by an Interdepartmental Committee on Codex (IDC/Codex) comprised of senior officials from Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Industry Canada.
The IDC/Codex has the responsibility to provide strategic direction with respect to Canada's involvement in Codex. Due to the large number of Codex Committee sessions being held each year, the IDC's focus has tended to be on endorsing Canadian positions and delegations, rather than discussing strategic issues. In order to enhance this function, more meetings which focus principally on these issues are recommended.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- The IDC/Codex will revise, as necessary, its Terms of Reference and membership with the objective of ensuring effective management of Canada's Codex program.
- A list of priority issues is to be developed, identifying those requiring strategic discussions by the IDC. Appropriate background discussions papers will be developed as required to promote effective discussions.
- Increase the frequency of IDC/Codex meetings focussed on key strategic and/or cross cutting issues.
- The process whereby Head Delegates present draft positions and objectives, and present summary reports against the achievement of objectives will be kept under review.
- The Head Delegate or other members of the IDC/Codex should identify the key issues requiring early consideration by IDC/Codex to guide the preparation of draft Canadian positions for presentation prior to the Committee sessions.
Objective 3.5:
Enhance the awareness of Codex cross-cutting issues and their implications amongst Canadian delegations.
Situations occur where issues being considered in Codex can impact or have relevance to different Codex Committees. There are also issues discussed in other relevant international fora which may impact on Canada's objectives/positions in Codex, e.g, issues pertaining to antimicrobial resistance which are also relevant to OIE, method of production labelling, etc. It is essential that these "cross-cutting" issues be identified, and that Canada's objectives for these be understood by Head Delegate/delegates so that consistent messaging takes place. It is also important that Canada's international obligations are observed in the development of its objectives/positions.
Delegations should be mindful of Canada's rights and obligations pursuant to international trade agreements during the development of objectives/positions for Codex meetings. Delegations must endeavour to promote the development of Codex standards and related texts that, while fulfilling the mandate of Codex to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade, will not, through their use as the basis of national measures or technical regulations, constitute an unnecessary barrier to international trade.
Activities to be implemented to achieve this objective:
- Make use of Codex workshops to provide Head delegates with an opportunity to meet and discuss cross-cutting issues.
- Promote discussion at IDC/ Codex on cross-cutting issues and provide strategic direction/response.
- Enhance the communication/coordination between the IDC/Codex and the Canadian coordinating offices for other relevant international organizations (e.g. OIE, Standards Council of Canada, etc.).
- Promote the use of Head Delegate Reports to identify, through trend analysis, emerging potential issues and irritants.
Theme four: Promote processes to enhance Efficiency and Responsiveness of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Objective 4.1
Promote the development of science-based standards.
The mandate of Codex is to elaborate international food standards to protect the health of the consumer and to ensure fair practices in the food trade. In recent years, the CAC and its subsidiary bodies has adopted a number of texts related to the application of risk analysis in the decision-making processes. Adherence to these principles is the foundation for the elaboration of "science-based" international standards which will result in the protection of the health of consumers and will contribute to a more predictable environment for global trade in food..
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Support the consistent application of risk analysis principles by relevant Codex committees in the development of science-based standards;
- Continue to promote adherence to the four "Statements of Principle Relating to the Role of Food Safety Risk Assessment".
- Continue to promote adherence to the four "Statements of Principle Concerning the Role of Science in Codex Decision-Making Process and the Extent to Which Other Factors are Taken into Account".
Objective 4.2
Promote the application of principle/criteria-based standards where appropriate.
Codex is responsible for elaborating standards containing non-public health provisions in achieving its mandate of "ensuring fair practices in the food trade". This is particularly relevant to the work of Commodity committees, and is considered important output of the Commission, particularly for developing and least developed countries. Canada's objective is to ensure that credible and "non prescriptive" standards will be developed, which will not impede technological innovations, and allow for the necessary flexibility for different national approaches to be taken, based on different consumers' expectations and needs around the world. This will result in fair practices in food trade and will contribute to a more predictable environment for global trade in food.
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Promote the clarification and implementation of guidance to ensure the consistent elaboration of essential elements (e.g. essential quality characteristics) contributing to the fair trading practices mandate of Codex;
- Promote the development of principle/ criteria-based provisions, which are not overly prescriptive to allow for innovation and responsiveness to the different expectations/ needs of consumers around the world.
Objective 4.3
Promote more effective work-planning by Codex subsidiary bodies.
While the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC) is responsible for the management of the standards-elaboration process, it is at the level of the Committee/Task Force where work is actually undertaken. Effective planning is essential to ensure work is not only prioritized, but consideration be given to how work can be progressed by the Committee/Task Force. Effective work planning at the Committee/Task Force facilitates the management function exercised by the CCEXEC.
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Promote the development of committee specific work plans.
- Ensure the effective preparation and consideration of all necessary justification for new work (i.e., project documents).
Objective 4.4
Promote the timely development of standards.
One of the principal outcomes of the Evaluation of the Codex was a number of recommendations intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the standard-setting process. In today's changing world, where new technology is being rapidly developed, it is essential that Codex be able to react to such changes in a timely manner. The usefulness of Codex standards depends on both the "soundness" of the texts produced but also on their relevance. Standards that are out of date even before they are adopted by the Commission are of little value in achieving the Codex mandate.
Activities to achieve this objective:
- Promote the use of various mechanisms that would facilitate consensus-building, e.g., working group meetings or other mechanisms that can be employed to resolve contentious issues;
- Promote mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of work undertaken between Committee sessions, recognizing the particular challenges faced by developing countries. (e.g. working groups, greater interval between Committee sessions to allow opportunities for "protagonists" to address issues and reach consensus).
- Encourage the adherence to established procedures for the elaboration of standards (e.g., ensure committees' decisions are clearly recorded and respected to avoid reopening debates at the Commission on issues where a decision was reached in the relevant Committees).
- Enhance and support the standards-management function of CCEXEC.
- Enhance communication between CCEXEC and Committee Chairpersons/host country with a view to resolving contentious issues.
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