GF3 E-forum

Feedback received after the 28^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (July 2005) regarding the possible convening of a GF-3

Comments on the possible convening of a third FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators were received from four contributors after the report of the GF-3 e-discussion forum was presented at the 28^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC/28 INF/13). One of these messages came from a previous participant in the e-discussion forum (Australia), with the other messages coming from the European Commission, New Zealand, and OIE.

These messages re-affirmed many of the points previously discussed, with the following additional ideas also presented:

1) Objective:

• Should draw clear conclusions
• Identification of effective food safety systems
• Accurate identification of technical assistance/capacity building needs with a view to “building effective food safety systems”

2) Format:

• A “symposium style” format, with brief introductory papers and maximum time for discussion on topics such as the following is suggested:
• a session devoted to identifying the capacity building needs of countries, based on the perspectives of donor organisations and participants; and
• sessions structured to develop suggested solutions/action plans for specific problems
• Address 6 themes (half day per theme) through general presentations of multiple abstracts and workshop sessions for each; half day each for introduction and for conclusions

3) Themes:

• Regarding the theme of “Reaping the benefits of new national food safety systems”: countries that have adopted preventative and risk based food safety systems should share their tools and mechanisms to benefit others

Additional themes suggested:

• Identification of food safety technical assistance/capacity building needs
• Providing practical approaches to incorporation of science and risk assessment in national standards
• Statistics on the origin of food safety incidents
• The role of water in food safety incidents
• The role of food safety on the farm
• The role of veterinary services and veterinary practitioners in the direct distribution of food

4) Timeframes/ locations:

• Timing should be linked to time required to make progress against outcomes
• GF-3 should not be held before 2007
• Convene a 4 day forum with special interests groups meeting informally on day 5
• Latin America could be an ideal location, as GF-1 was held in Africa and GF-2 in Asia

5) Other comments:

• A strong facilitator/moderator is needed to maintain focus and momentum
• Promote extensive preparation of issue documents ahead of the meeting – the strength of GF-2
• Better regional coordination of food safety- related activities could be explored and encouraged
• Ensure that Forum is focused on practical advice to regulators, especially in terms of incorporating science and risk assessment in food control programmes
• Should focus on issues to be solved by governments at national level