PORKER
Well-known member
Principles for Traceability/Product Tracing In the Context of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (Agenda Item 3c)
CCFICS has been working on the development of a traceability/product tracing (T/PT) document over several sessions. Originally introduced to the Committee as an outgrowth of discussions on T/PT in the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, the Committee has progressed through an analysis of CCFICS texts with respect to T/PT, the development of an initial draft set of principles, and a Working Group (of which the United States was a member) that met in September, 2005 that recast T/PT as a "tool".1
The CCFICS Chairperson introduced the Paper by noting that consensus had been reached by the Working Group on several key concepts/items. Specifically:
T/PT is a "tool" that does not in itself improve food safety and/or fair practice outcomes in the food trade unless it is combined with relevant measures or requirements;
Exporting countries should not have to replicate the T/PT tool of the importing country; they need only to meet the objectives of the importing country's food inspection and certification system;
The concept of T/PT as a tool is that it should follow food one step forward and one step back;
Importing countries should be prepared to explain to an exporting country what are the objectives and outcomes of their food inspection and certification system when they incorporate a T/PT tool.
The Committee carried out a detailed discussion of the draft principles. Key points brought forward included the following:
Some delegations felt that the Principles should be more closely related to food safety. However, with caution urged from the Chairperson not to reopen a previous debate on the application of T/PT, the Committee retained its earlier decision that the Principles should make reference to both parts of the dual mandate of Codex (protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade).
Considered a request by the United States to revise the language of paragraph 9 of the text to make it clearer that T/PT could both be a measure or a technical regulation, depending upon its application. The Committee, however, agreed that the current wording was sufficient in this regard and made no changes to the text.
Clarified in paragraph 7 that, when applicable, it was not compulsory for an exporting country to establish the same T/PT tool as used by the importing country.
Strengthened paragraph 6 to make it clearer that a food safety system without a T/PT system could meet the same objectives and produce the same outcomes as a system with T/PT.
Revised paragraph 15 relating to technical assistance to indicate how the exporting country could be helped. Specifically:
By allowing a longer timeframe for compliance in order to maintain opportunities for exports;
By allowing flexibility regarding the design of T/PT; and
By providing technical assistance.
Added a new Principle (paragraph 19) to state that the T/PT tool should be implemented, when and as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
CCFICS has been working on the development of a traceability/product tracing (T/PT) document over several sessions. Originally introduced to the Committee as an outgrowth of discussions on T/PT in the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, the Committee has progressed through an analysis of CCFICS texts with respect to T/PT, the development of an initial draft set of principles, and a Working Group (of which the United States was a member) that met in September, 2005 that recast T/PT as a "tool".1
The CCFICS Chairperson introduced the Paper by noting that consensus had been reached by the Working Group on several key concepts/items. Specifically:
T/PT is a "tool" that does not in itself improve food safety and/or fair practice outcomes in the food trade unless it is combined with relevant measures or requirements;
Exporting countries should not have to replicate the T/PT tool of the importing country; they need only to meet the objectives of the importing country's food inspection and certification system;
The concept of T/PT as a tool is that it should follow food one step forward and one step back;
Importing countries should be prepared to explain to an exporting country what are the objectives and outcomes of their food inspection and certification system when they incorporate a T/PT tool.
The Committee carried out a detailed discussion of the draft principles. Key points brought forward included the following:
Some delegations felt that the Principles should be more closely related to food safety. However, with caution urged from the Chairperson not to reopen a previous debate on the application of T/PT, the Committee retained its earlier decision that the Principles should make reference to both parts of the dual mandate of Codex (protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade).
Considered a request by the United States to revise the language of paragraph 9 of the text to make it clearer that T/PT could both be a measure or a technical regulation, depending upon its application. The Committee, however, agreed that the current wording was sufficient in this regard and made no changes to the text.
Clarified in paragraph 7 that, when applicable, it was not compulsory for an exporting country to establish the same T/PT tool as used by the importing country.
Strengthened paragraph 6 to make it clearer that a food safety system without a T/PT system could meet the same objectives and produce the same outcomes as a system with T/PT.
Revised paragraph 15 relating to technical assistance to indicate how the exporting country could be helped. Specifically:
By allowing a longer timeframe for compliance in order to maintain opportunities for exports;
By allowing flexibility regarding the design of T/PT; and
By providing technical assistance.
Added a new Principle (paragraph 19) to state that the T/PT tool should be implemented, when and as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
