24. Message from the Netherlands
-----Original Message-----
From: VanDerWal, Londa (ESNS)
Sent: 23 May 2005 19:43
To: GF3-L@mailserv.fao.org
Subject: Message from the Netherlands (GF3-L message #24) - and LAST week of the GF3 e-forum (ends Friday, 27 May 2005)
Message from Niek Schelling, the Netherlands _____________________________________________________________________
Dear GF3 e-forum participants,
We highly appreciate the initiative to open an electronic forum for exchanging views and suggestions for GF-3. In our opinion the GF must remain a platform for exchange of ideas and experiences regarding food safety and food control, with conclusions but without recommendations. In this way the GF will be a platform of free discussion without the need of taking
(national) positions. We support the idea proposed by others, to focus on two overarching themes, which are relevant for many countries and organizations. We think that all 7 themes mentioned are relevant but theme 2 (food safety - doing more with less) and 5 (food chain approach) are especially challenging and may cover many possible subthemes.
- Theme 2 "food safety - doing more with less" may also cover elements of theme 1, 4, 6. We would be very keen to learn how food control systems can be as efficient and cost effective as possible. This is very relevant for both developed and developing countries. How do we set priorities, with a limited budget for food safety? What criteria do we apply to prioritize scientific research and advice on food safety risks (theme 6)?
- Theme 5 "food chain approach to promote food safety"
The EU is a supporter of the integrated food chain approach as a means to enhance food safety. We think that one of the most challenging questions for discussion here is: who is responsible for safety of food within the food chain? The Government or the private sector? As the Government usually does not produce any food but the private sector does, it seems that the private sector is responsible for safety of food. The Government should not only check that this is properly done; Government food control policy should rather be a tool to enhance private sector responsibility and liability and speed up the development of private food safety waranty systems. This could be used as a means to stimulate innovations and create awareness on food safety issues among food producers. We would be interested to exchange views on how Government control could make use of private food control systems and reduce costs while maintaining or improving a high food safety level.
Under this theme it would also be interesting to see how risk analysis is applied in both the public and private sector. How do public and private risk managers operate and communicate to assure maximum food safety?
Format:
We support the idea already expressed by others to have fewer presentations and more thematical discussions, both in plenary and in workshops. Presentations should provide an introduction for discussions and not take more than 15 minutes. By the end of the Forum there should be a good plenary wrap-up of conclusions and results.
Timeframe/locations
The forum should be organized independently from any Codex meetings in an interested host country. Once in two years seems appropriate to us.
Best regards,
Drs. Niek Schelling
Senior Policy Officer International Food Safety Matters National Coordinator of Codex Alimentarius
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
Department of Food Quality and Animal Health
P.O. Box 20401
2500 EK The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0) 70 3784426
Cell: +31 (0) 6 48131120
Fax: +31 (0) 70 3786141
E-mail: n.schelling@minlnv.nl
Website: www.codexalimentarius.nl
