GF3 E-forum

Background of the E-Forum

The delegates at the FAO/WHO Second Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators (GF-2) expressed their appreciation that GF-2 provided the opportunity to meet regulators from many countries of all regions of the world to exchange information and share experiences on food safety issues of particular importance to them. Delegates were also generally supportive of holding a Third Global Forum (GF-3). However, several delegates requested that the original objectives of the Global Fora - to exchange information and experiences - should evolve to develop a common understanding and promote action and commitments. Several delegations made suggestions on the format to reduce the number of topics and documents, and devote more time to discussion. Other delegations suggested that the main theme of future Fora should be less general and more focused on a limited number of topics. It was also proposed that future Fora could be held back to back with regular sessions of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to save costs.

The Secretariat took note of these comments and is pleased to announce the convening of an e- forum to further solicit the views of the Member countries and all interested parties on the subject. The results will be presented to delegations attending the next session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 2005.

The FAO and WHO secretariat of GF-2 request the views of member countries and interested organizations regarding the following areas:

1. Objective
   - sharing of information, making recommendations, etc.
2. Format
   - forum on general themes or workshop on particular topic(s); approximate number of themes to be addressed; proposed length of discussion time; etc.
3. Themes
   - please comment on/rank the attached themes which have been proposed by the FAO/WHO secretariat (attached) or propose alternative themes.
4. Timeframes/locations
   - held in conjunction with CAC sessions; approximate year to convene; length of forum; proposed locations; etc.
5. Other comments
   - comment on the usefulness of a GF-3, other pertinent comments.

Documentation for the e-forum

The themes proposed by the FAO/WHO Secretariat to be discussed at a potential GF-3, as also presented at GF-2 follow below. Other information on GF-2, this e-forum and, eventually, the results of this forum are also available from this site.