WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/344
21 October 2002
(02-5736)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR FOOD STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
A report provided by the Secretariat of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
based on information provided by FAO and WHO1
I. NEED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN FOOD STANDARDS
1. A new international food and agriculture trade environment has emerged as a result of the
Uruguay round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and subsequent agreements on the application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
2. Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are required to base their domestic
technical regulations or standards on standards developed by international organisations.  These
organisations include, the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission for food safety; the
Office International des Epizoöties (OIE) for animal health; and the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) for plant health.
3. The evolution of the conditions for international trade in relation to food and agriculture
affects numerous cross-cutting sectors in every country, including human, animal and plant health,
environmental welfare and economic development.  The regulatory systems and infrastructure needed
to conform to the new internationa l trading environment are weak in many developing countries.  This
puts these countries at a competitive disadvantage in the international trade arena and constitutes a
major limitation to the effective participation of these countries in the discussions and decisions taken
at the level of international standardisation bodies.
4. Both the SPS (Article 9) Agreement and the TBT (Article 12) Agreement make specific
reference to increasing the capacity of developing countries and remaining cognisant of the unique
needs of developing country Members.  Specifically Article 12.3 of the TBT Agreement states
"Members shall, in the preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity
assessment procedures, take account of the special development, financial and trade needs of
developing country Members, with a view to ensuri ng that such technical regulations, standards and
conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to exports from developing
country Members". Reinforcing these views, the Executive Heads of FAO, WHO, WTO, WB and
OIE, in a joint statement issued at the occasion  of the WTO Ministerial Meeting held in Doha in
November 2001, expressed their commitment to strengthening the capacity of developing countries to
meet the requirements of the SPS Agreement.
5. At the 23rd Session of the Codex Commission (J uly 1999), FAO and WHO were called upon
to strengthen capacity building activities, particul arly in relation to risk analysis capabilities in
developing countries.
                                                     
1 This report is based on information provided by FAO and WHO to the FAO/WHO (Codex) Regional
Coordinating Committees meeting in 2002/2003.G/SPS/GEN/344
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6. In keeping with these mandates, FAO and WHO engaged in diverse capacity building
activities designed to assist developing countries in improving their food safety and plant and animal
health systems.  Together with international organisations, national governments, international and
regional financial institutions and NGOs, various capacity building and technical assistance initiatives
have been undertaken.  This report will focus on capacity building activities in the region undertakenin part or in whole by FAO and WHO during the pe riod since the last Regional Codex Co-ordinating
Committee meeting.  It also provides a brief on regional or national capacity building activities that
are in the process of being approved.
7. In order to support countries desiring to harmonise their national standards with those of
Codex and comply fully with international trade regulations, FAO and WHO engaged in a variety of
capacity building activities.  While the activities and strategies differ and are tailored to specific
regions and countries, the overall objective is to support and strengthen national food control systems.This is often done by providing technical assistance in reviewing and analysing the institutional set up
for food control and evaluating its effectiveness,  identifying main weaknesses, and formulating
recommendations and proposals for the establishment of technically sound food control systems
which are harmonised with current international standards.  Specific activities falling within the realm
of capacity building include, training of food control officials and technical staff (food controlmanagers, food inspectors, food analysts) in the form of seminars, workshops and study tours to
broaden in-country skills and increase the ability of local governments to implement comprehensive
food control systems, enhancement of food control laboratory capabilities, preparation of training
manuals and guidelines, support in establishing and strengthening National Codex Committees, policy
advice and establishment of regulatory frameworks.  The remainder of the report will focus on theseactivities, occurring at global, regional and national level.
II. GLOBAL ACTIVITIES
A. I
NTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS
8. An International Workshop on Food Safety Management in Developing Countries  was
organised and sponsored jointly by Centre de C oopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique
pour le Développement (CIRAD) and FAO, with financial support from Languedoc-Rouissillion
region.  The workshop was held in Montpellier, France from 10-14 December 2000.  Fifty-one
participants (including participants from Asia) representing twenty-two countries benefited from this
event.  Topics such as the impact of the SPS and TBT agreements in developing countries, and risks
of undesired substances in foods and feed were presented and discussed.  Working groups met to
discuss five food safety and development priority areas: risk assessment, food safety regulatory
systems, quality assurance, developmental finance and research needs.  The working groups presenteda series of recommendations which were then discussed during the plenary session. The report may be
obtained from CIRAD on request.
9. FAO and WHO jointly convened a Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators in Marrakech
from 28-30 January 2002 to bring together food safety regulators from every region of the world to
discuss and share experiences on food safety issues that are of global concern.  Forum discussionswere based on the principle that regulations must be science-based and built on risk assessment as
appropriate to circumstance.  These discussions demonstrated a global recognition that actions need to
be taken throughout the food production chain from farm and fishing boat to the consumer.
Participants agreed that actions need to be take n urgently to develop the capacity in particular in
developing countries to assure the safety of the food supply to their populations.  Building suchcapacities will also assist in strengthening exports, improving public health and reducing poverty.
10. An International Workshop on the Application of HAACP Principles in the Prevention and
Control of Mycotoxins  was held in Greenwich, UK from 17-28 June, 2002.  The workshop was
co-sponsored by FAO and the National Resources In stitute (NRI).  The purpose of the workshop wasG/SPS/GEN/344
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to present and train the partic ipants on the use of the Manual and the application of the HAACP
system in Mycotoxin prevention and control.  The manual was written jointly by FAO and the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with NRI.  The manual was published
in 2001 by FAO as Food and Nutrition Paper 73.  It can be obtained from FAO on request.
B. GLOBAL PROJECTS
11. An FAO global project for the Enhancement of Coffee Quality through Prevention of Mould
Formation was started in December 2000, and is due to end in December 2004.  This project is being
carried out in Brazil, Colombia, Ivory Coast, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Uganda, with collaboration
from Centre de Coopération Internationale en  Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
(CIRAD) and Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) and the University of Surrey, UK.
The project has received funding from the Common Fund for Commodities and the Dutch
Government.  An additionally funded component for training and dissemination of best practice in
ochratoxin A (OTA) control in Ecuador has also been incorporated.
12. The project approach emphasises capacity-building in coffee-producing countries, with the
aim of formulating codes of practice for the coffee industry. Key initial activities under the project
involve defining mould formation mechanisms, identifying critical control points, evaluating optimal
drying conditions, and developing the necessary tools (e.g. GAP, GMP and HACCP) to control andmonitor both mould formation and OTA production.  Specifically, the project builds capacity at
national level within the industry and responsible government agencies in:
• The application of internationally-agreed principles of food hygiene and a
HACCP-based approach to food safety throughout the coffee production andprocessing chain;
• The analytical capacity and capability required to support national programmes for
prevention and control of OTA- contamination of coffee.
13. In 1999-2001, FAO formulated and implemented an Umbrella Programme for Training on
Uruguay Round and Future Negotiations on Agriculture .  The first phase of the programme included
the implementation of 14 sub-regional training courses conducted in Africa (four courses);  Asia(three courses);  Near East (two courses);  Europe (two courses);  and Latin America (three courses).
The programme was co-financed by FAO, European  Union and several donor countries.  It was
designed taking into account the complementaritie s and synergies of the countries involved in the
programme, including the more general training on multilateral trade conducted by other international
institutions (notably WTO, WB, ITC, UNCTAD, etc).  The project aimed at improving understandingof existing WTO agreements to enable countries to more fully participate in the negotiation process
and debate issues of special concern to the region.  Topics which were covered during training
included various UR agreements concerning agriculture, such as SPS measures, Technical Barriers to
Trade and Trade related Intellectual Property Rights.
14. A two year project to improve the quality and safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables through
creation of a Global Inventory, Reference Materials and Food Safety Training Programme for
Improving the Quality and Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) was recently approved.  It is fundedby FAO's Prevention of Food Losses Fund (PFL) and will be implemented by the Food and Nutrition
Division (ESN), in collaboration with Agricu lture Support Systems Division (AGS) and Plant
Production and Protection Division (AGP).  The project's main objective is to improve access and
availability of information, through provision of resource materials and training activities, to countries
desiring to improve the quality and safety of their fresh produce.  The project will create an inventoryof all available food safety training materials and develop a database of existing training programs.
This information will be developed into an electronic  database with information relevant to all aspects
of the production chain, from harvest to transport and marketing.  Several training activities will beG/SPS/GEN/344
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carried out at regional and national levels, including Latin America and the Caribbean.  A series of
training materials such as videos, CDs and Manuals will accompany the planned training.
C. GLOBAL INITIATIVES
15. An FAO Trust Fund for Food Security and Food Safety was established by FAO as an
important source of demand-driven funding to supplement the present trust funds, which support keycomponents of the Organisation's Field Programme.  The initial funding target is of US$500 million.
The projects to be funded from this Trust Fund will assist Member Governments in initiating,
strengthening, accelerating and expanding activities in the following two areas:  Food Security  and
Emergency Prevention of Transboundary Pests and Diseases of Animals and Plants .
16. Transboundary animal diseases are epizootic diseases that are highly contagious or
transmissible with the potential for very serious and rapid spread, irrespective of national borders.
These diseases are of serious socio-economic or public health consequence and can be a majorconstraint to international trade of animals and animal products.  This can have an adverse effect on
the food security situation in the countries concer ned and also on the food safety of consumers around
the world.  The same is true for locusts and other mi gratory pests that can fly over great distances and
threaten crops hundreds or thousands of kilometres away from their places of origin.
17. The FAO Integrated Programme for Building Capacity for Biotechnology, Food Quality and
Safety, and Phyto- and Zoosanitary Standards  is being developed for consideration by potential
donors to address the needs of developing and transition countries in the establishment or
enhancement of appropriate policies, institutions  and human resources concerned with biotechnology
and sanitary measures in the context of food and agriculture, and in connection with trade related and
environmental issues.  The food safety component of this Programme valued at US$56.5 millioncovers such areas as: guidance for decision makers, regulatory and legal aspects, institutional
strengthening at regional and national levels, human resource development, improvement of
laboratory capabilities, and management of food control programmes.
III. REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
A. A
FRICA
FAO Regional Projects and Workshops
18. A project designed to train private small/medium size industries in HAACP/Good Hygiene
Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practi ces (GMP) covering Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte
d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Senegal  began in September, 2001.  The main objective of the project is to
support the member states in their efforts to improve food quality to protect consumers and facilitate
access to international markets.  This objective will be supported through training courses at theregional level for Training of Trainers in GHP a nd HAACP and at the national level for industry.  In
total there will be one regional training course and six national courses.  To date three of the seven
training sessions have been completed.
19. The Special Regional Program for Food Security covers the UEMOA countries and was
initiated in December of 2001 and will continue through December 2003.  The project is beingimplemented by several divisions within FAO.  The objectives of the activities which will be
undertaken by the Food Control and Consumer protection group under phase one are to improve
harmonization of regulation and upgrade the institutional capacity of food control institutions.  The
activities of the project include review of existing food legislation and regional harmonization,
training of food control inspectors and upgrading labo ratory facilities.  To date the review of existing
food legislation should have been completed and regional level proposals for harmonisation should
have been elaborated at a regional workshop.G/SPS/GEN/344
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20. A project to reduce post harvest losses and  increase the safety of milk and dairy products in
sub-Saharan Africa has been approved.  The overall objective of the project is to increase the supply
and marketing of safe milk and dairy products with emphasis on the informal dairy sector and street
vendors.  The project will be implemented by the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) with
technical assistance provided by the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN).  The project aims to increasetechnical capacity in terms implementation of G ood Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices (GHP and
GMP) and improved inspection techniques.  Consumer  awareness will be heightened through relevant
communication channels using a variety of media to promote appropriate messages.  At the end of the
project a stakeholders workshop will be held.
21. FAO in collaboration with the government of Ta nzania held a Training of Trainers Course on
Quality and Safety Based on Good Manufacturing Practices and HAACP in September 2000 in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania.  Participants were from Zi mbabwe, Botswana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and
Tanzania and represented food regulators, food industry, academia and other government agencies.
The objective of the course was to develop training skills of food safety and quality control personnel
working within the Government and the food proc essing industries and to improve the awareness
among the food industry operators of the need to co mply with the international standards.  The course
included presentations by a team of three consultants, practical working group sessions, whereparticipants developed a HAACP plan for a partic ular food product and a field visit to two food
processing plants.  At the end of the course each participant was assigned a topic to present to
reinforce their capacity as future trainers.
WHO Food Safety Activities in the AFRO Region:  Issues and challenges
22. The WHO Regional office for Africa promotes a holistic and integrated approach to
addressing food safety issues, hence food safety activities are integrated/included in other areas of
work.  The "Healthy Settings" concept is one example, the office through the Healthy Market Places
initiative promotes the safety and wholesomeness of foods sold and traded at the markets by
improving knowledge and behaviours of food vendors in food handling and sanitation.  In view of thefact that poverty is largely the cause of food-borne illnesses within the region, the office integrates
food safety concepts with poverty reduction activities.
23. The regional office has provided expertise to assess the impact of beverage additives, and
supported the training of street vendors in safe food handling practices.  Furthermore, the office
through the "Healthy Market Places" initiative pr ovided technical support to countries such as
Tanzania, Nigeria to improve food safety within  the context of the "Buguruni Healthy Market
Initiative".  Efforts are currently being made to replicate and expand the scope of this initiative toother countries of the region.
24. To obtain more evidence for decision-making on the sources and magnitude of food-borne
illness in the African region, the regional office recently undertook a regional situation analysis on
food safety and hygiene.  Through the orientations of the situation analysis, the office aims to develop
strategic interventions and action plans to further strengthen the food safety programs of the countries.In addition, an awareness-raising workshop has been planned, wherein it will also aim to identify
strengths and constraints in relation to national food safety programmes, identify regional and country
needs.
25. In the near future, more will be done to capitalize on the increasing awareness of food safety
and hygiene concerns.  Furthermore, the fact that food safety and hygiene is a global priority forWHO will be seized upon to mobilize additional resources and required expertise.  However,
sensitization efforts will have to be strengthened so as to ensure that decision-makers and populations
are fully informed of food related health risks. Coun tries will have to considerably strengthen their
institutions and capacities to address this issue.G/SPS/GEN/344
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26. AFRO will also aim to develop an approach for food-borne disease surveillance system, as an
integral part of national epidemiological surveillan ce systems.  Since street-vending of foodstuffs is
very widespread in the region, and that this food is consumed by millions of people in African cities,
training materials for safe food handling for street vendors will be developed.  Finally, advocacy for
food safety and hygiene will be constant.
B. ASIA
Regional Workshops
27. The South Asian Conference on Food Safety was organised jointly by FAO and ILSI and took
place from 11-13 December 2000 in Delhi.  This was the third conference in the series on food safety
issues for the South Asian region. Ninety delegates attended the conference from seven member
countries of SAARC.  The overall objectives of th e conference were to review the current food safety
and food trade environment in the SAARC region, to  review progress toward harmonisation of food
regulations with international standards, to identify challenges faced in the support of food safety
activities, and to discuss issues related to risk analysis.  Conference participants agreed upon several
concrete recommendations, including, nomination of a focal point on food control matters among
SAARC countries and harmonisation of food safety measures and food control and import inspectionand certification procedures using the Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations.
Responsibility for reviewing existing food laws and regulations and identifying deviations from
international standards was divided into different food commodities, with each country taking
responsibility for a certain set of commodities.
28. A sub-regional Food Safety Seminar for Central Asian Republics was held in 2001 in
Tashkent, Uzbekistan.  The seminar, sponsored by FAO, WHO and ILSI was attended by over
30 participants from Central Asia.  The main objective of the training was to provide participants with
a framework for understanding food safety including, food safety systems and risk analysis principles;
and to discuss regional aspects of legislation, enforcement, management and inter-ministerial co-
operation.
29. A Workshop on Microbiological Risk Analysis (MRA) was held in Beijing 10-11 May 2002.
The workshop was jointly sponsored by FAO and ILSI and organised locally by the ILSI focal point
in China and the Ministry of Health.  A total of one hundred and fifty participants from Asia attended
the workshop.  WHO sponsored the participation of eleven participants from Asian countries.  The
objective of the workshop was to familiarise participants with the process of microbiological risk
assessment and its use within the risk analysis framework.  The conclusions of the workshop were that
the workshop had provided a good introduction to microbiological risk assessment, howeverparticipants expressed the need for further traini ng, including capacity building in the area of data
collection useful for MRA.  Participants took advantage of the opportunity to discuss ideas with
others working in the field of food safety and felt that this was a good opportunity to increase
collaboration between different sectors.
30. FAO and the National Food Processors A ssociation (NFPA) jointly organised a Workshop on
Food Safety in Bangkok, Thailand in 2002.  Ninety participants attended the workshop.  The overall
objective of the workshop was to strengthen country level initiatives and partnership with food
processing industries.  The seminar emphasised the use of science as the foundation of effective food
control programmes.  Aspects of successful national food control programmes were discussed using
operational examples from selected countries of the Asian region, to provide practical insight toparticipants who are involved in upgrading their own national food safety programmes.  The seminar
also analysed key food safety issues that are curren tly in international focus, with presentations from
leading international experts.  The topics reviewed  were highly relevant to all countries, with a
particular focus on issues of concern to developing countries.G/SPS/GEN/344
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31. A FAO/ILSI/ILSI India Regional Meeting on Modernising Food Control Systems in the
SAARC Region , will be held 10-11 December 2002 in Kathmandu, Nepal.  The meeting will cover
aspects related to food safety (microbiology, food additives, biotechnology, neutraceuticals and
micronutrient fortification of foods) food safety tools (Risk Analysis, HAACP, GMP), harmonisation
of food regulations and modernising food control systems.  This meeting is a direct follow-up to thethird FAO/ILSI/ILSI India South Asian Conference on Food Safety held in Delhi in December 2000.
C. E
UROPE
WHO Food and Nutrition Policy and Action Plans
32. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe has been assisting Member States in the
development of National Food Safety Strategies within the framework of the development of the Food
and Nutrition Policy and Action Plans in Europe, which integrates a food safety strategy, a nutritionstrategy and a sustainable food supply strategy.
33. The Food Safety Strategy in Europe aims to develop and strengthen National Food Safety
Programmes through the development of modern food legislation, strengthening of surveillance of
food-borne disease and monitoring of food contamination for the provision of data for risk
assessment, and the promotion of risk based food control systems.
34. The WHO Nutrition, Food Security and Food Safety European Programmes have prepared
the book "Food and Health a Basis for action in Europe" which promotes the development of food and
nutrition policies which protect and promote health and reduce the burden of food related diseases,
while contributing to socio-economic development and a sustainable environment.
35. Several workshops have been held in the European Region during the last two years
including:  the first and second Workshops on Intersectoral Development of Food and Nutrition
Action Plans in South East Europe in Malta 2000 and in Bulgaria 2001 respectively;  the second
workshop for development of the Food and nutrition Action Plan for the Nordic and Baltic countries
in Latvia, June 2001;  and the first workshop WHO/FAO to develop Food and Nutrition Action Plans
for countries in southern Europe, Rome 2002.
Regional Workshops
36. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe in collaboration with the EU-Joint Research
Centre of Ispra organised three training courses on detection techniques for Genetically Modified
Organisms in foods in October, November and December 2000.  Almost 100 technicians from
34 different countries have been trained.  The electronic version of the manual will be posted on a
joint WHO/JRC website.
37. The WHO Mediterranean Zoonosis Control Programme jointly with the WHO Food Safety
Programme in Europe organized a regional traini ng workshop on food safety risk management tools
(e.g. HACCP) in Teramo, in December 2000.
Regional Projects
38. An FAO project on Sub-regional Training on Meat Inspection and Meat Technology for
Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sl ovenia was approved in October 2000.  The overall
objective of this project is to enable increased market access for the participating countries to lucrative
meat and meat product markets.  This will be accomplished by improving national capacities for the
production of higher quality and quantity meat and meat products, which meet European Unionstandards.  A core of 30 persons trained as trainers will carry out national training in meat inspection
and relevant technology including the HACCP system.  Each country will develop a training programG/SPS/GEN/344
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and plan of action for improving the standards of the meat sector.  A final workshop will provide both
a forum and a mechanism for discussing a co-ordinated regional approach for access to the broader
European Market.
39. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe initiated a multi-country public health initiative
for training Food Safety Officers of the Central Asiatic Republics at the Kazakhstan School of PublicHealth.  Five training modules wi ll be organized on this project: food legislation, epidemiology, food
microbiology, chemical analyses on foods and risk analyses.  The basic texts and standards of the
FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission are being translated into Russian in order to enhance
regional food safety legislation.
D. L
ATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Regional Workshops
40. Last session's FAO/WHO/ILSI pre-codex meeting was on the subject of Risk Analysis and
Exposure Assessment and was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 13-16 February
2001.  Sixty- two participants representing government institutions involved in food control,
university technical experts and senior administrators and researchers were in attendance.  The overall
objectives of this workshop were to: familiarise participants with the principles of risk analysis and inparticular the methodologies for the assessment of exposure to food-borne hazards; to raise the
awareness of participants of the region in risk asse ssment; to provide guidelines to participants on the
data required to assess exposure and to encourage participants to apply expertise acquired on risk
analysis of food-borne hazards in food legislation.
41. A FAO/AOAC Latin America and the Caribbean Section Workshop on Risk Analysis/
Assessment Methodology was held in Montevideo, Uruguay on 18 November 2001.  The workshop
was attended by seventy participants from the region.  The overall objective of the workshop was to
further update participants on the requirements for risk analysis and in particular to exemplify its
application through practical case studies.  The workshop included presentations on the methods and
models used in risk assessment, in particular exposure assessment, with case studies on contaminants,microbiology and GMO's.
42. FAO/ILSI and INTI organised a Risk Analysis  Workshop for the Southern Cone Countries in
Buenos Aires from 12-13 August 2002.  Forty participants from the region attended the workshop.
The main objectives of the workshop were to: familiarise participants with the principles of risk
analysis and the methodologies for its qualitative and quantitative risk assessment for food
contaminants and additives, provide information on the data required for risk assessment  and promote
the application of this data in formulating managerial decisions.  The workshop was organised with apractical approach and presented real case studies.  The programme included risk analysis principles
followed by each lecturer's presentation of ri sk assessment examples and their own institution's
approach to solving them.  Practical group exercises were conducted on case studies from real
scenarios on chemical and microbiological contaminants, food additives, veterinary drug residues, and
pesticides, where the risk assessment approach was used to come to a management decision by theparticipants government to solve a food safety issue.  The presentations included scientific as well as
policy and regulatory aspects.
FAO Regional Projects
43. A project to modernise the food control systems of Andean countries was funded in August of
1999 and ran through December 2001.  The project was implemented in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador,
Peru, and Venezuela. The main objective of the project was to facilitate the design of a plan of action
for each participating country for modernising food control systems and to formulate national projects
to harmonise food control.  These objectives were met through a series of regional level workshops toG/SPS/GEN/344
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design, present and revise National Plans of Action for food control.  Five national consultants, one
for each country, supported by international experts, reviewed the current food control regulations and
implementation of the food control system in each country, current problems were defined followed
by a plan listing necessary steps to be taken to achieve the goals set out in the national plan of action.
National workshops were held to co-ordinate the work set out in the national plan(s) of action.
44. A regional project to strengthen National Codex Committees in Central America began in
March 2001 and is scheduled to be completed in December 2002.  The project is being implemented
in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras , Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic.  The
main objective of the project is to create and/or strengthen National Codex Committees in each
country and facilitate the application of Codex guidelines and recommendations.  The objectives will
be meet through a series of regional and national workshops to establish and strengthen National
Codex Committees and review the structure and responsibilities of subsidiary Codex bodies.  ACodex information system will be created in each country to disseminate to government and other
stakeholders relevant information including new guidelines and regulations established by Codex.
45. Fourteen National Seminars on Codex (two per country), seven sub-regional workshops and
49 national workshops (seven per country) have been carried out with 700 persons trained and
125 formed as trainers.  A Codex information system which will include the web sites of the sevennational Codex Committees will be created in each country to disseminate relevant information to
governments and to other stakeholders.  A compar ative analysis between the local regulations and
Codex standards was carried out in each country with the purpose of promoting their harmonisation or
equivalence.  During this project international and regional organisations such as INPPAZ/PAHO,
INCAP/PAHO and OIRSA  participated.  The complete project, including objective and activitieswith the corresponding reports and documents, is available at the website
2 of FAO's Regional Office
for Latin America and the Caribbean.
46. A project to strengthen Phytosanitary Capabilities in the CARICOM region began in 2000
and is scheduled for completion in 2002.  The main objective of the project is to strengthen thephytosanitary capabilities of the CARICOM member countries, with particular emphasis on pest
exclusion, and to ensure that legal frameworks are consistent with new international trade agreements.
These objectives will be meet by drafting instructions for plant protection legislation, training
phytosanitary officers at both the policy and operational level and creating an information sharing and
exchange network for the region.
47. A project to assist countries with Trade was initiated in September 2001 as part of the
Regional Special Programme for Food Security (RSPFS) for the Caribbean.  The specific objective of
this TCP assistance is to formulate a trade facilitation project as a component of the Regional Special
Programme for Food Security (RSPFS) for the Caribbean. Particular attention will be given to food
quality and safety standards; trade and commodity development programmes; transitory and
compensatory measures relating to the present trad ing environment, and capacity building required for
effective participation in multilateral trade negotiations.  Specific elements of Trade Facilitationwithin the overall framework of RSPFS include, upgrading Food Quality and Safety Standards,
promoting intra-regional trade in agriculture, rais ing the competitiveness of agricultural commodities
(both import and export) and increasing national capacity to participate effectively in multilateral
trade negotiations on agriculture.
48. A project to evaluate and strengthen the prevention systems for Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE) and the feed quality control system began in Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.  (TCP/RAL/0017 Evaluación y Reforzamiento del
Sistema de Prevención de la Encefalopatia Espong iforme Bovina (EEB) y el Sistema de Control de
                                                     
2 <http://www.fao.org/Regional/LAmerica/prior/comagric/codex/rla0065/0065.htm>.G/SPS/GEN/344
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Calidad de Piensos).  The project promotes capacity building in food quality and safety at regional
level in South America.  The activities of the project are to help ensure the quality and safety of the
bovine meat produced both for internal consumption a nd for international trade, ensuring that all beef
produced is free from BSE.  The project involves the organisation of two study trips and three
regional courses in risk analysis, epidemiological surveillance and laboratory diagnosis.
Other FAO regional activities
49. FAO published in 2001 the "Guide for the municipal management of food security and
nutrition", in Spanish, which includes chapters on food supply and implementation of a municipal
system on food control and Codex information. This publication is available at the website3 of FAO's
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
50. The Inter American Network of Food Analysis Laboratories (INFAL), which secretariat ex
officio  by the Pan American Institute of Food Protection and Zoonosis (INPPAZ/PAHO) and FAO
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, is starting the survey of laboratories4.  INFAL's
First Assembly was carried out in Aruba (Jun e 11-13, 2001).  During the meeting by-laws were
approved; members of the Executive Committee were elected; four technical groups were created
(food microbiology, laboratory quality assurance, residues of veterinary drugs in foods, and food
additives, contaminants and pesticide residues); and the Plan of Action for the period 2001-2003 was
also established.
51. With FAO's support, the Latin American Food Composition Network (LATINFOODS)
continued working on the update of the Regional Food Composition Table which is located at thewebsite
5 of FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.  In addition the first
electronic conference on "Data compilation for food composition tables and databases" was carried
out (6-24 May 2002) with the participation of 101 professionals from 17 countries and INCAP/PAHO
and FAO.
E. NEAR EAST /EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
WHO Regional Plan of Action
52. The Regional Plan of Action, which was adopted by the Regional Committee in October
1999, was subsequently launched in the WHO Regional Workshop on New Challenges in Food
Safety:  The Regional Action Plan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5-7 December 1999.  The plan
stipulates that all food safety efforts should be based upon a thorough review of the food safety
situation, and most Member States have actually initiated this review, either as part of the
implementation of the joint work plan with EMRO or independently thereof.  Food safety country
profiles have been prepared, based on the EMR Food safety questionnaire, for most of the countries.
This questionnaire, which has been circulated to all Member States, collects information on all aspectspertaining to food safety, be they directly or indirectly, and a completed profile will be a strong tool to
define gaps and areas for increased collaboration between all involved partners, and to set strategies
for the future.  One other important factor mentioned in the Regional Action plan is the (re-)
establishment of national food safety committees, in the light of the fact that food safety is a
multisectoral, inter-ministerial are of work that requires strong collaboration, coordination andcommunication.
                                                     
3 <http://www.rlc.fao.org/pubs/document.htm>.
4 This is a joint PAHO/FAO activity
5 http://www.fao.org/Regional/LAmerica/bases/alimento/default.htm >.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 11
Regional Workshops
53. A FAO/ILSI Training workshop on Risk analysis in Food Control for Middle East countries,
took place on October 16-18, 2000 in Amman, Jordan.  Forty participants representing government
ministries, academia and industry participated.  The objectives of the meeting were to increase theawareness of food control officials of the concepts and application of risk analysis in national food
control systems; to identify specific problems and challenges to risk assessment priorities in the
region, to raise awareness of Food Control officials regarding international work, to promote technical
co-operation in the area of food safety, in particular by providing appropriate inputs into the work of
Codex Alimentarius Commission and other regulatory bodies.
54. A FAO/WHO/ILSI Regional Workshop on Risk An alysis:  Exposure Assessment took place
from 27-28 January, 2001.  The participants were introduced to the principles and implementation ofexposure assessment. Important reflections at the end of the workshop were that for most of the
countries of the EMR, dietary intake and exposure data are not available, thus making it impossible to
conduct a complete and comprehensive risk assessment of major contaminants.  Furthermore, most
countries in the region lack the necessary skills to carry out risk assessment, and they require
specialised training in this area.  The necessity to sensitise decision makers to the importance of riskassessment in developing food safety legislation was also observed.  The workshop therefore
recommended that regional expert consultations be convened on the subject of risk analysis, that
regional training centres be identified, that Member States should consider the benefits of adopting
Codex Standards, guidelines and other recommendations in relation to the conformity of their food
legislation with WTO requirements, and that resear ch institutes and relevant academic institutions
should collaborate in generating data and information necessary to carry out exposure assessment and
risk analysis.
55. An AFC/WHO/FAO Inte rcountry Workshop on Emerging Food Safety Issues and Consumer
Protection, was held in Jordan, from 28 to 30 Oc tober 2001.  The meeting discussed various issues
pertaining to the role of consumer organisations in  the field of food safety and how this role can be
enhanced to promote consumer protection at the national and regional level.  Participants agreed that
this role should not be seen as antagonistic to official food control authorities but rather
complementary, in the interest of the consumer.  Among other important issues, the meeting
underlined the need for consumer organisations to be self-reliant and independent, in order to avoid
conflicts of interest and build credibility among consumers.  The meeting highlighted the importance
of active participation by consumer societies in risk management and risk communication activities as
they pertain to food safety.  Finally, participants at the meeting discussed the possible involvement ofinternational organisations in supporting the work of consumer organisations.  It identified in
particular the area of technical support by FAO and WHO and other international organisations in the
form of provision of information on food-borne  outbreak management and emerging food safety
issues, as well as up-to-date scientific information, scientific reference material, expert advice,
consumer education material, and training in the areas of food safety and risk analysis.
56. An FAO/IAEA/WHO Regional Training Works hop on Development of Quality Assurance
for Mycotoxin Analysis was organised in Cairo, Egypt, from 1 to 6 December 2001.  Participants
from sixteen countries in from the Near East and Africa participated.  The objective of the workshop
was to discuss the establishment of quality assurance systems for mycotoxin analysis following
international guidelines.  The participants were in troduced to the concepts of quality assurance and
specifications necessary for accreditation for mycotoxin analysis in laboratories.  Current scientific
knowledge of mycotoxins was discussed with particular emphasis on how this relates to new
regulations and barriers to trade.  The general consensus as reflected in the evaluation forms was that
this was a highly useful training course, to be repeated for other subject areas or general laboratory
quality assurance.G/SPS/GEN/344
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57. A WHO inter-country meeting on 'Promotion of Food Safety: Regional Food Safety Network'
was organised in Jordan, on 31 October and 1 November 2001.  In this meeting 12 countries were
represented, all of which presented a country paper based on the food safety questionnaire, and all of
which were unanimous in the recommendations, which stipulated that there is an urgent need for a
network in the region that can provide a forum fo r informal peer discussion on food safety related
issues such as: outbreaks, rejected and recalled foods; harmonisation of procedures (import and
export, sampling and testing methods, inspection), and training; exchange of information on
development of food safety programs and research; risk analysis data and tools; food control systems,
programs, and events; global events of importance to the forum.  This network was subsequently
established by WHO/EMRO under the title 'Regi onal Food Safety Network' in November 2001.  The
meeting also observed that with the data presently available, the calculation of food-borne burden of
disease is not feasible.  Ongoing WHO research on the burden of disease should incorporatefood-borne diseases as a determinant for the global burden of disease.  Furthermore, systems of
(food-borne) disease surveillance in the Region were discussed and it was stated that a thorough
assessment of surveillance systems as well as existing data was urgently required.
58. A WHO/EMRO Regional Consultation on Food-bor ne Disease Surveillance was convened in
EMRO, from 18 to 20 December 2001.  Within th e framework of the WHO Global Salmonella
Surveillance Program, in short GSS or Global Salm-Surv, WHO/EMRO collaborated with WHO/HQ,
CDC Atlanta and the Danish Veterinary Institute in order to organise a regional training course on
Surveillance of Salmonella and Anti-micr obial Resistance in food-borne Pathogens.
59. A WHO training course on Food- borne Disease Surveillance was held from 23 to 27 June
2002 in the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan.
60. As a direct result of both the consultation and the training course, a special study into the
burden of food-borne diseases will be undertaken in Jordan with the assistance of WHO, CDC, the
Jordanian authorities and some possible other partners.  The first preparatory meeting will be
organised in Jordan in October 2002.
Workshops
61. A FAO/WHO workshop on 'Risk management and communication and links between risk
assessment and risk management' is being planned, immediately preceding the second session of the
Codex Coordinating Committee for the Near East, which is scheduled from 20 - 23 January 2003, and
will be held in EMRO, Cairo, Egypt.
F. W
ESTERN PACIFIC /SOUTH -WEST PACIFIC REGIONS
FAO Regional Workshops
62. The fourth FAO Round Table Meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO Agreement
Provisions was held in Wellington on 2-6 April 2001.  The meeting was jointly sponsored by FAO,
New Zealand and the Trade and Investment Access Facility of the Commonwealth Secretariat (TIAF)
as the follow-up to three earlier meetings held in Auckland in September 1998, March 1999 andApril 2000 respectively.  More than 50 people (lecturers, participants, observers and organisers)
representing Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu attended the meeting.  The main objectives of the meeting were to, build
sustainable capacity in Pacific Island countries to meet WTO obligations; assess benefits to Pacific
Island countries from the existing Agreements; provide tools to Pacific Island countries to act as"equal partners" in the continuation of the reform process; debate and discuss outstanding
international issues of interest to the Pacific Island Countries related to WTO and the international
trade of agriculture and fishery products.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 13
63. A FAO workshop on the Uruguay Round Follow-up and Multilateral Trade Negotiations on
Agriculture was held in Nuku'alofa, Tonga from 9 -13 July 2001.  The workshop was funded through
the European Community trust fund.  It was attended by 36 participants from the Cook Islands, Fiji,
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and
Vanuatu..  The key objective of the workshop was to enhance national capacity on WTO issuesrelating to agriculture and in particular the UR Agreements on SPS, TBT and TRIPS.
64. The fifth FAO Round Table Meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO Agreement
Provisions was held in Wellington on 8 to 12 April 2002. The meeting was jointly sponsored by FAO,
TIAF and the New Zealand Government.  The five-day meeting was attended by 45 officials from
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marsha ll Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea,
Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Observers included the Forum Secretariat, South
Pacific Trade Commission (SPTC), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Forum FisheriesAgency (FFA), Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO), and CTF.  The main objectives of the
Round Table were to:  (i) build sustainable capacity in Pacific Island countries to meet WTO
obligations;  (ii) accrue benefits to Pacific Island countries from the existing Agreements;
(iii) provide tools to Pacific Island countries to act as "equal partners" in the continuation of the
reform process; and (iv) update, debate and discuss outstanding international issues of interest to thePacific Island Countries related to WTO and the international trade of agriculture and fishery
products.
WHO Western Pacific Region Activities
65. The 52
nd session of the Regional Committee recognized food safety as a significant public
health issue and endorsed a Regional Strategy for Food Safety.  The Regional Strategy commits WHO
to supporting advocacy and awareness-raising efforts as keys to increasing political commitment to
national food safety efforts.  Consequently, WHO activities have included support for World Food
Day activities focused on food safety in Papua New Guinea; the development of advocacy materials
in Papua New Guinea;  and national food safety seminars in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands andPapua New Guinea.  These activities followed on from the workshop on operational plans of action
for food safety in the Western Pacific conducted in Manila, Philippines in November 2000.  That
workshop brought together health and non-health sector personnel from 14 countries to better
recognize the need for multi-sectoral planning and program implementation.  Policies, plans of action
and legislation are key elements of any effective national food safety program.  Food hygiene and
environmental health regulations were reviewed and guidance provided to Cook Islands and Palau and
food law, hygiene regulations and food recall guidelines drafted in Vanuatu.  The Organization alsocontinued to provide guidance to Ministry of He alth, Fiji, on a proposed Food Safety Bill and food
recall guidelines.
66. The importance of national food safety programs being founded on sound science was clearly
reinforced at the FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Sa fety Regulators in Morocco.  In this regard,
WHO has placed emphasis on strengthening the capacity of Member States to establish food safetyprograms that are risk-based by supporting targeted contaminant monitoring workshops and
monitoring studies of soy and oyster sauce products in Fiji; various foods, including canned fish, in
Papua New Guinea; and drinking water and selected foods in Nauru.  Furthermore, WHO
collaborated with ASEAN and ILSI to increase understanding of risk assessment principles and
applications amongst health and non-health sector food safety enforcement officers.  Inspectors werealso trained in environmental health and food safety in Fiji.
67. Effective risk communication, education and training are also essential elements of national
food safety programs.  A program of training traine rs of community health workers in food safety was
initiated in Fiji and the Republic of the Marshall Islands based on an OPEC Fund for International
Development/WHO package called Basic food safety for health workers.   Food safety training
programmes for food service personnel were conducted in the Northern Mariana Islands.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 14
68. In the period under review, WHO continued to support capacity building at the local level
through implementation of healthy marketplace initiatives.  In Papua New Guinea, the biggest market
in the country, Gordons' market was revitalised and officially reopened at a launch of the healthy
marketplace concept.  The market has proven a model that has seen the concept also being taken up in
Madang and Mount Hagen.  Such expansion has also been a feature in other participating countries.In association with the expansion of the concept there has also been greater attention to the
improvement of food safety in the marketplaces through food safety education targeting messages
arising from HACCP based studies in the marketplaces
69. In a coordinated action amongst FAO, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and
WHO, a Pacific Islands Food Safety and Quality Consultation will be conducted in Nadi, Fiji,
11-15 November 2002.  This consultation will bring together policy makers responsible for ensuring
food safety and quality and some of their technical support staff, with international and partneragencies' representatives.  The consultation will review the current status of food safety and quality in
Pacific Island countries and consider the need for more effective control of food safety and quality in
Pacific Island countries.  Guidance will be provided on how countries may take action to strengthen
food control systems as well as how to address obesity prevention and control through more effective
control of the safety and quality of available food.  Actions that can be taken by internationalorganizations, development banks, key aid agencies and other interested parties to better coordinate
food safety and quality efforts throughout the Pacific will be formulated.  It is expected that advisers,
participants and representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, No rthern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu will attend this meeting.
70. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is organising a one day Fish Inspection Workshop for
representatives of the South-West Pacific Island Countries.  The meeting will take place prior to the
7
th Session of the Codex Co-ordinating Committee for North America and the South Pacific.
IV. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
71. Under its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), FAO implements numerous projects on
critical aspects of food control and food standards. FAO/TCP is designed to assist Member Nations in
solving their most pressing development needs.  In the field of food safety these include:
strengthening of national food control systems, enhancing laboratory facilities and analysis capacities
and improving the ability of member countries to comply with standards and new trade regulations.
A. AFRICA6
72. A project to Improve the Quality of Street foods in Bobo Dialasso, Burkina Faso  began in
September of 2002 and will continue through the end of 2003.  The main activities of the project will
be to undertake a survey on the quality and safety of street foods, provide training on Good Hygiene
Practices (GHP) to street food vendors and to form ulate a municipal strategy for further improving the
safety of street foods.
73. A project to Strengthen the National Food Control System in the Gambia begin early in 2001
and will continue through 2002.  The project aims to increase the capacity of the government to
ensure the safety and quality of both locally produced and imported foods.  This will be accomplished
by enacting national food laws, establishing a country-wide food inspection network, upgrading the
capabilities for laboratory analytical services and training of food control personnel and street food
inspectors.
                                                     
6  FAO activities except where indicated.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 15
74. A project to improve the quality of street foods in Dakar, Senegal began in 2000 and ended in
2001.  The project was very similar in nature to the above mentioned project in Burkina Faso.  The
main activities involved training street vendors in food hygiene practices and the conception and
production of educational materials on improved  preparation and handling of street foods.
75. A project to strengthen the National Codex Committee in South Africa began in November
1999 and was concluded in September 2000.  The main objective of the project was proper structuring
and functioning of the South African National Codex Committee, establishment of its working groups
and effective operation as an advisory group to the government on matters related to food
standardization and food safety and implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements on Sanitary
and Phytosanitary measures and Technical Barriers to Trade.  The project was successful in
conducting high-level workshops to increase awareness among senior officials of the critical
importance Codex in the post-Uruguay Round period wh ich should result in enhanced participation of
South Africa in Codex activities.  Project activities also led to the establishment of a national Codex
website for South Africa to disseminate information about Codex and broader food safety and
regulatory matters to all interested parties.  Additionally, the project conducted a systematic review of
the import/export system.
76. A project to Improve the Quality of Street foods in South Africa was approved in 1999, but
due to delays in project implementation was continued through 2001.  The main objective of the
project was to improve the quality of street food and vending in South Africa in order to ensure
consumer safety and to provide vendors and handlers with health education and training regarding
acceptable street food preparation and handling practices.  This objective should have been met
through a thorough evaluation of the street food situation and identification of critical control points instreet food preparation, handling and selling, training seminars for food control inspectors and street
food vendors, and a consumer education campaign on street food safety and environmental hygiene.
77. A project designed to Strengthen the National Food Control System in Swaziland was funded
in September of 1999 and continued through 2001.  The main objective of the project was to improve
quality, safety and nutritional value of food produced in Swaziland and to ensure the acceptability offood entering into the country.  The activities undertaken to accomplish this included, using the
experience gained in similar national food legislation in the sub-region to prepare a draft national food
law; setting up effective Food Control Administration for the country; upgrading the training
programme for food inspectors, and training of 5 local trainers in food inspection who will train
20 food inspectors.  The capabilities of the existing food analysis laboratory were enhanced by
providing training to two analytical chemists and microbiologists and providing some essential
analytical equipment and other laboratory materials.
78. A second phase project aimed at enhancing the coffee quality in Uganda through prevention
of mould growth began in early 2002 and is scheduled to continue through early 2003.  The main
objective of the project is to develop a centre of excellence in the field of coffee quality assurance in
Uganda, which can serve as an important regional resource.  The specific activities to be undertaken
include, elaborating guidelines for the production, processing and handling of coffee, identifyingsuitable technologies for small scale coffee producers and processors, upgrading analytical laboratory
capacity for carrying out quality control measures related to coffee and preparing and disseminating
training materials on good agricultural practice, good manufacturing practice and HACCP for the
coffee sector.
79. An eighteen month project to strengthenin g the Government Analyst Laboratory, Food
Standards Advisory Board and Port Health Authority  in Zimbabwe received funding in June 1999.  The
main objective of the project was to improve the food control system and services in Zimbabwe by
up-grading the food analytical capabilities of the Government Analyst Laboratory (GAL), improving
the information-handling capacity of the food co ntrol secretariat at the GAL, strengthening the
Secretariat of the Food Standards Advisory Board (FSAB) and optimising the food inspectionG/SPS/GEN/344
Page 16
operations of the Port Health Authority.  The objectives were accomplished by provision of technical
assistance in analytical quality assurance and food control management and food import inspection.
Training workshops were held on increasing the ef ficiency of food control systems and utilisation of
new computerized information systems.  Seventeen port health officers from 10 ports of entry received
training in imported food inspection planning, policie s and procedures.  A complete assessment of the
capabilities of the Government Laboratory was undert aken and recommendations made for increasing
the effectiveness in meetin g international requirements for laboratory accreditation.
80. A Training Manual for Hygienic Practices in Street food Production and Sale is being
prepared by FAO in collaboration with the University of Benin.
81. A Cooperative program with World Bank is being undertaken in the region to develop a
conceptual framework for improving regional food control systems.  Two missions were undertaken,
one to Ghana and another to Senegal.
82. FAO has received several requests by na tional governments for future projects:
• The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has requested assistance
with a National Strategy for Food Control.  This request is currently under review.
• The Government of Gabon in collaborati on with FAO has formulated a proposal to
Strengthen the Food Control System.  This project is still in the formulation phase.
• The Government of Guinea, Conakry, has requested assistance with food control and
quality of the informal food sector in Conakry.  The request is currently  under
review.
• The Government of Guinea Bissau has requested assistance with improving the safety
of street foods through training of street food vendors in safe food handling and
preparation.  This request is currently under review.
• The Government of Tanzania has requested assistance in strengthening the National
Food Control System and National Codex Committee.  The request is currently under
review by FAO.
• The Government of Senegal has requested assistance in strengthening and supporting
Quality Assurance Systems in Food Safety Laboratories.  The request is in the
formulation phase.
83. Future WHO Activities include:
• Expansion of global network of participating institutions to monitor chemical
contamination of food supply.
• Promotion of use of all food technologies which may contribute to public health e.g.
pasteurization, food irradiation and fermentation.
• Promotion of the work of a WHO/FAO expert advisory body to assess
microbiological risk in food.
• Support member states in providing the scientific basis for health-related decisions
regarding foods derived from biotechnology.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 17
B. ASIA
84. A TCP project on Strengthening Food Control and Codex began in Bhutan in June 2000 and
is scheduled for completion September 2002.  The project is oriented toward the reorganisation of the
food control administration in the country.  A new food act has been proposed and the inspection
service has been centralised.  Some activities are still ongoing for upgrading the chemical andmicrobiological food laboratories.
85. A TCP project for Strengthening the National Codex Committee of Cambodia began in
September 1999 and was completed in December 2000.  The overall goal of this project was to
improve consumer protection and Cambodia's food expo rt potential by strengthening food quality and
safety control.  The project anticipated achieving these objectives by training food inspection officials
in each of the following areas:  (i) developing overall food quality and food safety systems using
international criteria for the establishment of ma ximum permissible limits for contaminants, and food
additives levels in foods;  and (ii) general principles for food import and export inspection and
certification, including information exchange in food control emergency situations.  A national Codex
Committee was established and given guidance on their responsibilities, programme of activities and
operating procedures.  Study tours were provided  for two senior members of the national Codex
Committee to the Secretariat of the Codex Alimen tarius Commission, in order to familiarise them
with the work of the Commission and its current and future directions.
86. A TCP project on strengthening control of residues in meat and derived products began in
China in May 2001 and is scheduled for completion end 2002.  The project is justified by the strong
interest of the country to comply with the re quirements of the WTO membership.  The country
received assistance in training and provision of laboratory equipment to apply reference methods inthe control of veterinary drug residues and pesticides residues in meat and derived products.  The
training was conducted in the country and at the FAO/IAEA Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide
Control.
87. A TCP project in India was initiated in November 2000 and is scheduled for completion end
2002.  The objective of the project is to strengthen the National Codex Committee and the National
Codex Contact Point to ensure the effective conduct  of Codex work at a national level and enhanced
participation at international level.  Activities include a series of training for government
professionals, industry and consumer groups on stre ngthening food safety and quality systems in India
through the National Codex Committee.  A prioritised action plan for harmonisation of national food
standards and regulations with CAC recommendations is an expected output of the project.
88. A TCP project for Mongolia to Strengthen Food Import Control has just received approval for
commencement June 2002 with an anticipated completion date of January 2004.  The objectives of
the project are to establish and strengthen the national system of control of food import quality and
safety.  This is extremely important for Mongolia as 90% of the food consumed in Mongolia is
imported.  Specifically, the project will improve the institutional set up for the control of food import
in Mongolia, provide training to food inspectors, strengthen laboratory facilities and train analytical
staff associated with border food control.  It will also raise awareness of national authorities of thework of Codex internationally, the relevance of this work nationally and the importance of full
stakeholder participation in food control matters.
89. A TCP project to develop an Export Inspection and Certification Programme in Vietnam
began in May 1999 and concluded in June 2002.  The main objective of the project was to assist in
establishing an efficient, well-managed and reliable export inspection and certification system forfood that meets WTO requirements, and to improve the capability of laboratories in Vietnam to carry
out chemical and microbiological analyses of foods.  Activities carried out in order to meet this
objective included:  training of involved parties in Vietnam on WTO requirements in international
food trade;  provision of assistance to the Government of Vietnam in establishing appropriateG/SPS/GEN/344
Page 18
procedures for export inspection and certification of nuts, grains, fresh and processed fruit and
vegetables;  training of laboratory staff in appropriate analytical techniques;  laboratory management
and quality assurance procedures and training of food inspectors.  Additionally, study tours for two
senior government officials were provided to faci litate insight into the establishment and day-to-day
running of food export control systems, these officials will be instrumental in developing similarsystems in Vietnam.
90. Also in Vietnam, a TCP project has recently been initiated on Improvement of Coffee Quality
and Prevention of Mould Formation and Ochratoxin A (OTA) Contamination.   The project aims to
improve incomes and livelihoods of smallholder coffee producers in Viet Nam via production,
processing, storage, transport and phytosanitary management interventions to improve coffee quality
and its competitiveness, reduce losses and safeguard markets and coffee consumer's health by
reduction/elimination of Orchratoxin A contamination from moulds.
91. The Government of Bangladesh has requested assistance in strengthening their food quality
and control systems.  The request was received in April 2002 and is currently in the approval process.
The project objective is to strengthen the regulatory food control system in order to improve consumer
protection by ensuring the safety and quality of both the domestic and imported food supplies.  The
project objective will be achieved through improving local food control capacity by providing on-sitetraining in food control administration and management including review of legislation and
development of food quality and food safety standards and regulations.  Training will be provided to
laboratory analytical staff, laboratory management, food inspectors and others involved in food
quality control.
92. The Government of Thailand has requested assistance with strengthening compliance of the
SPS requirements for expanded exports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.  The project has
been requested by the Government of Thailand given the great potential in Thailand for exporting
fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.  Thailand has experienced problems of export rejection due
to microbial contamination of fruit and vegetables and safety and quality of some processed fruits.
The project will address these issues through tr aining in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and
Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) at the level of industry and food safety officials.  Training in
microbiological risk analysis will also be provided.  This project is currently in the final stages of the
review process.
93. The Government of Pakistan has requested assistance for building national capacity for Food
Quality and Safety. Specifically, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) is
seeking assistance in reviewing and revising National SPS laws, remodelling animal and plant
quarantine services, enhancing the capabilities of reference laboratories, forging technical linkages
and fostering cooperation with developed economies.  The request is still in the initial formulation
phase.
C. EUROPE
94. In November 2001, a training course for food inspectors was held in Malta.  The course was
sponsored by WHO and included training for food inspectors on food safety and street vendors withfollow-up training for food microbiologists.
95. The WHO European Food Safety Programme organized a training workshop on HACCP for
sanitary and veterinary inspectors, April 2001 in Albania.  A similar course will be organized for the
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.
96. In November 2001, a training programme for food inspectors was held in Malta.  The training
was sponsored by the WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe and included training for food
inspectors on food safety and street vendors with follow-up training for food microbiologists.G/SPS/GEN/344
Page 19
97. A FAO project to Improve the Food Control Administration and Strengthen Food
Import/Export Control and Food Analytical Services in Lithuania began in May of 1999 and was
completed in November 2001.  The project aimed to support further development of food controlsystems in the country in order to assure adequate consumer protection and promote export of
agricultural products through greater compliance with internationally recognised standards andprocedures.  The main project outputs included; establishment and training of an import/export task
force, establishment of a food legislation task force, training of planners and policy makers in risk
analysis and improved capacity of food control laboratories.
98. A FAO project in Slovakia to Strengthen Food Quality and Control was funded in January
1999 and completed in December 2000.  The main objective of the project was to assist the Slovak
Republic in strengthening its regulatory food control system in order to improve consumer protection
by ensuring the safety and quality of the food supply.  This objective was met through a thoroughreview of existing regulations and elaboration of recommendations for improvement and/or
modification.  An assessment of the existing food la boratory network capabilities, including analytical
methods, performance standards and the needs for equipment, supplies and personnel training was
undertaken.  Study tours on Food Control Administration, Food Inspection and Food Laboratory
Management in two European countries were arranged for three Slovakian food control personnel.  Atraining course for laboratory personnel, establishment of certification testing procedures for
qualifying food control laboratories was provided.
99. A project in Moldova to Strengthen the Organisation of the National Codex Committee was
recently completed by FAO.  The main objective of the project was to provide the basis for the
establishment of an effective system for food standardization and safety, consumer protection andmarket access through the strengthening of the National Codex Committee and its operational
mechanisms, with the ultimate aim of enhancing go vernment capacity to improve the level of national
standards in both local food control matters and international trade.  The main project outcomes were:
establishment of a 23 member National Codex Committee;  establishment of a Codex information
system and national office;  review of national legislation with the goal of harmonization with Codexofficial standards;  training in modern food control methods for key persons in the food control
organization of Moldova.
100. The countries that have signed the Stability Pa ct (Albania, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia & Yugoslavia) have
prepared in collaboration with WHO/EURO and the Council for Europe a sub-regional project to
Strengthen Food Safety & Nutrition Services in South East Europe.  The first component for capacity
building on Food Legislation has just been funded.
101. The Czech government has requested assistance of FAO in strengthening non-governmental
organisations of Central and Eastern Europe related to the implementation of Food Safety Guarantee
Policy.  The general objective of the requested project is to improve communications with consumer
public on food safety matters in Central and Eastern European Countries.  The proposed outputs of the
project include a manual for risk communications with consumers and capacity building in the areasof food safety and consumer communications.
102. The Government of Croatia has requested FAO's assistance in Improving Food Safety.  This
proposal is currently in the formulation phase.
103. The Government of Cyprus has requested FAO' s assistance with food safety standards with
the objective of becoming more competitive in international trade markets.  The proposal is currently
in the formulation stage.G/SPS/GEN/344
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104. The Russian Federation and Ukraine have requested to WHO/EURO the organization of
training on epidemiological investigation of food-borne outbreaks and on food microbiological
analyses.
105. Tajikistan has requested to the WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe to provide training
on microbiological/chemical risk assessment and communication.
106. The Government of Turkey has requested FAO assistance with strengthening food control
programs.  The request is currently under review.
D. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
107. A FAO/ILSI-Brazil National Seminar on Risk Analysis for Food Control:  A Practical
Approach through Case Studies was held in Brasilia, Brazil from 9-11 May 2001.   Eighty persons
representing the main Government Institutions involved in food control, industries and Universities at
the level of technical experts, senior administrators and researchers participated.  Case studies onmicrobial pathogens, chemical contaminants, GM Os, mycotoxins, additives, BSE and packaging,
were presented by the invited international and nationa l lecturers.  The implications of risk analysis in
the new international trade context for developi ng economies and constraints in complying with
import requirements were discussed.  Five working groups were created for problem solving
examples of different food safety issues where risk analysis methodology had been applied and inmock case studies using the participant's own data.  Solutions to the case studies, conclusions and
establishment of priorities were prepared on the final day by each working group and one common
workshop recommendation was approved.
108. FAO and the Ministry of Health of Chile organised a workshop in Laboratory Quality
Assurance in Santiago, Chile from 4-8 August 2002.  The course general objective was thedevelopment of a quality assurance system for chemical analysis of food, to train participants from the
national health laboratory network in the establishment and implementation of an analytical quality
system complying with the standard ISO 17025 for their laboratories and in preparing for
accreditation.  The course consisted of lectures and exercises, including a practical audit.
109. The National Codex Committee from Paraguay (CONACAP) and FAO organised a National
Seminar on Codex Alimentarius which was held in Asunción (August 1
st,, 2001) with the participation
of 45 persons.  Achievements and difficulties of CONACAP were discussed and several
recommendations were agreed, one of them being the strengthening of the management of
CONACAP. This recommendation has originated the formulation of a FAO technical cooperation
project.
110. FAO provided assistance to the Government of Chile, General Secretariat of the Presidency
and the Dirección Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in modernising their food control system.A seminar and working sessions were held with local authorities from the ministries and institutes
responsible for food control activities in the countr y in relation to the reform process currently being
undertaken to update and unify the food and agricultural sectors.  Over 30 participants attended the
Seminar from the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Codex Committee,
Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Trade, Industr y, Consumer organisations, and Universities.  The
main topics of the discussions were key issues in the transition to a modern food control system,
including legislation, management, inspection, laboratories, co-ordination of activities and policies,
economic feasibility and trade impact.  The FAO/WHO recently updated Guidelines for Food Control
Systems were discussed.  Presentations were also given on modern food control systems with
practical examples and case studies from countries with similar agriculture-based economies in theprocess of modernising into a unified system.G/SPS/GEN/344
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111. A project designed to strengthen Food Control and Safety for Fish Export in Antigua began in
January 2001 and is expected to continue through September 2002.  The project will assist the
government to organise and manage food control activities in the country, including, drafting of new
food regulations to ensure safe and wholesome local food products; improvement of the inspection and
certification of export fish and fishery products; training of food control personnel and upgrading theanalytical capabilities of the food control laboratory.  These goals will be accomplished through technical
backstopping missions by experts in the areas of food quality control and fish inspection and quality
control, a study tour for one Ministry official on export fish certification, review of lab equipment,
training for lab staff and production of a manual on food inspection.
112. A second phase project to strengthen the National Codex Committee on Argentina was
funded in May 2000 and completed in April 2001.  The objective of this assistance was to improve
and expand the Codex information system and enhance the capacity of the national body to highlightnational issues of importance at international Code x meetings.  The project aims to strengthen the
National Codex Committee through the appointment and training of nine provincial Codex focal
points on international criteria for the development of norms, guides and recommendations of Codex
and their application in control programs.  The project will conduct a series of workshops on food
control issues, including, application of HACCP a nd risk analysis in food control; training for food
inspectors and training of laboratory technicians in quality control measures.
113. A project to Control Legislation for Veterinary Drug use in Barbados was funded for five
months beginning in August 2000 and continuing th rough part of 2001.  The global objective of the
project was to aid Barbados in developing new legislation on the control of veterinary drugs and to
regularise the trade in veterinary drugs, ranging from their import and manufacture to their storageand sale.  The legislation will also protect consumers and foster exports of food products.  The final
project outcomes included, a system for registration of all veterinary drugs permitted for use in
Barbados, establishment of a licensing system for veterinary drug importers, legislation on maximum
residue limits (MRL's) for foods of animal origin and improvement of national programmes for
monitoring and control of veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin.
114. A project designed to strengthen the Food Control System in Guyana began in May 2002 and
will continue through October 2003. the project will assist the Government in upgrading the food law
and harmonising national food standards with internat ional standards, improving the efficiency of the
food inspection in order to facilitate compliance with the WTO Agreements on SPS and TBT,
upgrading of the analytical capabilities of the Government food control laboratory, to ensure the
monitoring of food contaminants and permit the certification of exported products and strengthening
the capability of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the National CodexCommittee, facilitating more active and effective national participation in Codex work.  The
successful accomplishment of the project should produce a coherent food control system with
efficient utilisation of resources and operations compliant with international requirements.  The
laboratory will be upgraded and personnel trained to expedite product testing and certification. Codex
contact point will be strengthened to allow for im proved involvement in Codex work, with national
interests protected and adequate representation in  the international arena.  The National Legal
Consultant will be trained in legislative drafting and will therefore be able to assist in later preparation
of regulations and standards.
115. A project to strengthen the food control system of Haiti is scheduled to begin shortly.  This is
a second phase project following up on an 18 month project to reinforce national food control
capacity.  The main activities of this project will be drafting of food law and basic regulations in
accordance with Codex Guidelines, creation of a National Codex Committee, training of food
inspector trainers, training of laboratory personnel and provision of basic laboratory equipment.
116. A project to strengthen the National Codex Committee in Paraguay began in July 2002 and is
scheduled for completion in February 2004.  The main objectives of the project are to support theG/SPS/GEN/344
Page 22
work of the National Codex Committee and Codex focal point, to establish linkages between
government sectors, industry and consumers, devel op an action plan to update national food standards
in harmony with Codex guidelines and to establis h a web site for exchange of information on Codex.
The project will achieve these objectives through technical assistance provided by international
experts, including assistance in drafting a proposal for modernising the food control system andprovision of training and workshops on food control systems and the role of Codex.
117. An eighteen month project to strengthen the food control system of Suriname began in May
2002 and is scheduled to continue through October 2003.  The main objective of the project is to
strengthen the National Food Control System through providing training, upgrading laboratory
facilities and supporting the functioning of the National Codex Committee and its Working Groups.
The expected project outputs are amended national food laws, regulations and standards which
comply with international guidelines, improved food inspection service which applies modern quality
assurance and HAACP principles, improved laboratory facilities capable of contamination monitoring
in primary agricultural products and processed f oods and a plan of action on food safety, conforming
to Codex Commission recommendations.
118. A project designed to strengthen the Nati onal Codex Committee of Uruguay began in 2001
and will continue until 2003.  The main objective of this project is to improve national and local
capacity of the Codex Committee, by enhancing the decision making structure and encouraging
greater participation from government officials, industry and other stakeholders in National Codex
activities.  The outcome of this project will be a stronger Codex Committee able to inform and advise
the state and civil society in matters related to Codex.
119. A project was funded to provide emergency technical assistance to the Government of
Uruguay in evaluating Fusarium contamination of grains.  A large part of the 2001 wheat crop was
infected with Fusarium, a mould species that produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) which
can have both short term and long term detrimental effects on human and animal health.  Immediate
assistance was provided by FAO and an emergenc y legislation was passed  limiting th e DON content
in human foods and animal feed.  The project has been expanded into longer-term technical assistance(2002-2004) with the purpose of establishing adequate controls in the supply chain and to formulate
future prevention and control strategies.  It includes a study mission, extensive training activities in
GAP, GMP and HACCP for mycotoxin prevention and control, an integrated national action plan,
rapid detection methods and laboratory strength ening, the establishment of a DON rapid alert
forecasting system and a crop information network.
120. A regional project to strengthen the management of National Codex Committees and
Application of the Codex Alimentarius standards of  the Andean Countries is presently in its final
stage of approval.  Bolivia, Colombia
, Ecuador , Peru and Venezuela  will participate in this project.
The main objectives are to strengthen the management of the National Codex Committees; to developa national and sub-regional training program and to promote the harmonisation of the national
standards to Codex.
121. Two projects have been approved under the Prevention of Food Losses (PFL) Special Fund
which involve capacity building activities in Latin America.
122. A regional project for strengthening the analytical activities, laboratory quality assurance and
capacity building of the Interamerican Network of Food Analytical Laboratories (INFAL) is currently
being drafted.
123. The Government of Brazil has requested assistance with two activities.  The first being a project
to improve the quality of black pepper with the Ministry of Agriculture and Supply, Vegetable
Production Control and Promotion.  The second would incorporate a microbiological risk analysisG/SPS/GEN/344
Page 23
approach in food control programmes with the Codex National Committee.  Both proposals are
currently being drafted.
E. NEAR EAST /EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
124. A FAO project to support the Management and Control of Pesticides, Animal Drug and
Chemical Residues in Foodstuffs was initiated in Ira n, in August 2000.  The objective of the project is
to promote the application of Good Agricultural Practices in the use of pesticides and Good Animal
Husbandry Practices (GAHP) in the use of prescribed animal drugs and to enhance the government's
capabilities in the monitoring and control of residues (pesticides, animal drugs and other chemical
residues) in foodstuffs.  The project will aim to  ensure maximum consumer protection and promote
international trade in foodstuffs.  The objectives of the project will be met through a series of training
activities concerning GAHP for livestock extension officers and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
for agricultural extension officers, improvements in the capability of national laboratories to detectpesticide and veterinary drug residues in foods and establishment of National Maximum Residue
Limits which take into account Codex recommendations on these matters.  A framework for a
national monitoring and control program of pesticide and drug residues in foodstuffs will also be
established.
125. A project to Upgrade the Food Control System in Lebanon was completed in October 2001.
The main objectives of the project were to improve the efficiency of the food control system and
strengthen local capacity through training.  With the support of international and national consultants,
a core of food inspection personnel received a training of trainers course, these trainers in turn, carried
out a series of workshops for food inspectors and food technicians working at the national and sub-
national level in government and industry.  A thorough and systematic review of the current foodcontrol system was also completed, resulting in an improved system of quality assurance and revised
and updated national food standards.
126. A project to support the creation of a harmonised food control system based on risk analysis
principles began in Morocco in January 2002.  The overall goal of the project is to improve the food
control system through enhanced quality control measures and harmonisation of tasks between the
different Moroccan agencies involved in food control.  The objectives of the project will be met
through visits to Morocco by international consultants working with local authorities to draw up a
proposal to reorganise the food control system, study tours for Moroccan officials to visit countries
with strong food control systems and workshops for government officials responsible for food control,
research institutions and consumer groups.
127. A project to Train Food Quality Control Laboratory Staff in Syria was completed in 2000.
The main objective of the project was to improve the analysis capabilities of the Syrian food control
laboratories and raise their performance to the level required by international accreditation bodies.  To
complete this objective in-service training of central and provincial laboratory staff was conducted by
international consultants.  In service training topics included, analysis of drug residues and
mycotoxins; analysis of food additives and nutrients;  and analysis of chemical contaminants in foods.
Two training programmes outside Syria were planne d for senior laboratory staff.  One training in
laboratory management and a second on analysis of food contaminants. A final seminar on laboratory
accreditation procedures was planned for the end of the project.
128. A project to assist the Government of Suda n in Harmonising Food Standards and Regulations
to facilitate International trade of Food Products began in January 2002. The objective of the project is
to assist the Government of the Sudan in reviewing and updating the food standards and regulations inthe country as well as in strengthening the organisational set/up of the National Codex Committee and
its operational mechanism.  This objective will be accomplished through a full review of the national
food control and food import/export system, multi-sectoral workshops on National food control
strategies and Codex and WTO and strengthening of the National Codex Committee.G/SPS/GEN/344
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129. A one year project to strengthen the National Codex Committee of Tunisia received funding
in March 2000.  The main objective of the project was to aid the Government of Tunisia to strengthen
food quality and control systems and promote export of agricultural products by putting into place a
National Codex Committee capable of responding to the changing international trade environment.
The objective of this project will be achieved by implementation of the appropriate mechanisms toensure correct functioning of the Codex committee, sensitisation of principal actors (food industry,
academia, consumers) on the functioning of Codex and integration of a plan of action to incorporate
Codex recommendations into the operation of the national food control system.
130. Through continuous feedback and support, va rious Member states of the WHO Eastern
Mediterranean Region have been assisted in their efforts to improve the national food control systems.
Country profiles and food safety strategies have been prepared, or are being prepared, in a number of
countries, and revision of existing or draftin g of new food legislation is under way either
independently of this process or as a component thereof.  For example on one Member State, through
a consensus building exercise of jointly drafting food legislation, the health and agricultural
authorities have finalised the draft legislation that is now ready for presentation to the Cabinet. One
other Member State published its new legislation, which will be effective in early 2002. On a regional
level, a manual on 'Developing food legislation, guidelines for developing food legislation for foodcontrol systems in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean' is being prepared, in order to serve as a
guiding document.
131. There are several FAO projects in the both the formulation and approval phases.
• The Government of Egypt has requested assistance in Strengthening Quality Control
Systems for Cereals and Groundnuts.  The request is in the formulation stage.
• The Government of Syria has requested assistance in strengthening the National
Codex Committee and updating and harmonising food legislation and regulations.
The project proposal has been written and is in the final review process.
• An official request has been received from the Government of Yemen to Strengthen
National Food Inspection Systems.  The request is currently in the initial formulation
stage.
F. WESTERN PACIFIC /SOUTH -WEST PACIFIC REGIONS
132. FAO and WHO held a workshop on "National Codex Committee and Establishment of
National Plan of Action for Food Safety" at Loloata Island Resort (Boroko, Port Moresby), Papua
New Guinea from 12 to 15 June, 2001 through collaborative action.  The workshop was fundedthrough WHO and FAO regular programmes and the Government of New Zealand.  It was attended
by 28 participants from Government and private sector.  The main objectives were:  (i) to promote
awareness among key players in food safety standards and food control on role, function and activities
of Codex Alimentarius;  (ii) strengthen the National Codex Committee in Papua New Guinea and
Codex Contact Point;  (iii) formulate a strategy, plan of action and identification of infrastructure
support's needs for the Codex Committee;  and (iv) th e formulation of a strategy, plan of action and
identification of infrastructure support's needs for a national food safety programme.
133. A workshop on "Food Safety and Codex Alimentarius" was held at Majuro, Marshall Islands
from 3 to 5 July, 2001 through collaborative action by FAO and WHO.  The workshop was funded
through WHO and FAO regular programmes.  It was attended by 25 participants from Government
and private sector.  The main objectives were:  (i) to promote awareness on food safety, elements of
food control system and Codex Alimentarius among various stakeholders in Marshall Islands;  (ii) theformulation of a strategy, plan of action;  and (iii) identification of infrastructure support's needs for
the strengthening of food control system in Marshall Islands.G/SPS/GEN/344
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134. FAO provided technical assistance to the Government of Tonga to perform a needs
assessment of food quality control.  A needs assessment of laboratory testing capacity was carried out
in November of 2001.  The Ministries of Agricu lture and Forestry, Health, Labor, Commerce and
Industry and Fisheries all have responsibility for some aspect of food control and were all consulted.
Visits were also made to food industries, markets and NGO's.  The subsequent report highlighted anabsence of food testing and research facilities and advocated the establishment of a food control
laboratory for Tonga, possibly operated under the control of the National Codex Commission, which
was established in 1999.  The establishment of such a facility should improve capacity to assure the
quality of imported and domestic products to ensure consumer safety as well as increase compliance
with international standards for food exports.
135. A TCP project on National HACCP-Based Fish Inspection Systems in the South Pacific has
been initiated for  Fiji, Marshall Islands, Palau, and Republic of Tonga to improve the effectiveness of
HACCP-based seafood quality assurance system in the South Pacific region through capacity building
by developing national capacity in fish inspection; providing training in modern seafood inspection
and quality assurance activities; delivering advice and training to seafood industry personnel; and plan
for the establishment of appropriate national analytical facilities for seafood products.  This would
contribute to improving the quality and safety of seafood supplies within each participating countryand meet the requirements of major international trading partners, especially those of the EU market
136. A proposal for Strengthening Capacity building in Codex, Food Regulation and International
Food Standards Harmonization  for the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu is currently
undergoing review.
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