Enhancing Food Control Systems In South West Pacific

International food standards developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) are used by countries to protect consumer health and to promote fair practices in the trade of food.

Australia has been a Member, and strong supporter, of Codex since it was formed 60 years ago. We have been working with countries of the South West Pacific region to enhance their effective participation in Codex and their application of Codex standards to strengthen food control systems in the Pacific.

Most recently, the 2nd Colloquium of Codex Member countries of the North America and South West Pacific grouping was held on 26 – 28 February in Nadi, Fiji. Representatives from Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, United Sates of America and Vanuatu met to agree ways to collaborate and promote the development of Codex food standards that are representative of and can be implemented in the region.

The colloquium provided an opportunity to make headway on priority activities that will enhance and leverage the capability and capacity of each individual country for the benefit of the collective, including:

• Supporting Pacific Island Codex Member countries to specialise in relevant Codex committees and attend meetings of that committee.
• Developing a mechanism for regional positions to give a voice to Members who are unable to attend Codex committee meetings.
• Furthering the scientific methods and data to support implementation of regional standards.
• Pooling resources by improving linkages in the regional food regulatory landscape, including between experts, regulators, and national Codex programs.
• Prioritising and supporting new work on standards for indigenous foods, where there is an identified food safety need or a case for improving fair practices in trade.

Codex is important for the health and prosperity of the South West Pacific, and the Nadi colloquium represents another important step towards the Pacific better realising the benefits of Codex. It marks the halfway point to the next biennial meeting of the FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee of North America and the South-West Pacific (CCNASWP), where decisions can be formalised, and recommendations made to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

The Nadi colloquium was attended by agriculture, health and trade professionals from North America, Australia and the South West Pacific and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.