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Review of New Zealand’s Strategic Objectives in Codex 2005-2008

4 A Revised Codex Strategy for New Zealand

New priorities have emerged over time which necessitates an updating of the Codex Strategy for New Zealand and it is timely to revisit the current objectives and consider whether they can be improved or changed to take into account the changing global situation.

Factors Leading to Revision

In carrying out this review, new areas of strategic importance for New Zealand and NZFSA have been identified; there have also been significant changes within the Codex system. All of these factors will be considered in the context of our ongoing Codex work and incorporated into the updated strategy. These developments include:

Areas of strategic importance for New Zealand and NZFSA

Recognition of NZFSA’s new Statement of Intent

Since the development of the 2005 strategy, NZFSA has been established as a fully fledged department of state, with its own Statement of Intent, setting out the high level priorities and outcomes for food safety, health protection and trade. A revised Strategy for New Zealand’s participation in Codex needs will take into account these priorities and complement and further develop the outcomes and outputs identified in the Statement of Intent.

Appropriate application of science and risk assessment in developing standards

New Zealand has identified a number of areas in Codex work where there is reluctance to genuinely incorporate risk assessment in development of standards. This particularly relates to the basis for establishing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chemical hazards in foods and the lack of promotion of an appropriate risk-based regulatory response to non-compliances for food in trade.

Mutual acceptance agreements

New Zealand played a leadership role in the development of international guidelines on the judgement of equivalence of sanitary measures. This continues to be an area of priority interest to New Zealand and its Quad partners. Work in Codex is needed to deliver a horizontal standard on the development of mutual acceptance agreements between countries, recognising the experience, trust and confidence that exist around many trading arrangements.

Changes within the Codex System

Revised CAC Strategic Framework for 2008-2013

CAC has adopted a revised strategic framework covering the 2008-2013 period. CAC has gone through a substantive period of change over the last few years, brought about by the phenomenal growth in membership and the intensification of work. Codex also has to deal with new and emerging food safety issues and technological developments.

A key priority for New Zealand has been to support strengthened strategic and standards management capabilities and better resourcing of the Codex Secretariat to ensure that it continues to fulfil the mandate and expectations of the membership.

New Zealand has a strong and ongoing commitment to support coordinated strategies and action plans to achieve these objectives. Further, New Zealand has joined with Australia in presenting a new draft business plan to CAC in 2009.

Changing membership dynamics in Codex

The developing countries now constitute a majority of the membership of the Commission. The establishment of the FAO/WHO Trust Fund has enabled greater participation of members in the work of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies. This development has brought new challenges and opportunities. Codex standards now reflect and benefit from the input of a wider range of members. However, there are now new challenges in terms of work management and consensus building. The changing membership dynamics call for new approaches in terms of outreach, relationship building and advancement of work. For New Zealand, and other likeminded countries, there is a need to think beyond traditional relationships and linkages.

Science and Risk Analysis

Since the development of the 2005 Strategy, there has been substantial progress in the development of international guidance on risk analysis principles for application in Codex and at the national level. New Zealand has a high interest in promoting science and risk analysis principles in Codex work. In addition we have led the debate internationally for the development of risk-based standards addressing specific commodity hazard combinations and promoting New Zealand thinking on a new risk management framework. New Zealand will be looking to strengthen the strategic initiatives in support of sound international systems and standards for health protection and trade.

The increasing profile and relevance of nutrition in Codex

Although Codex has always had some input into nutrition related standards, there is now a greater recognition of the linkages between the work of Codex and broader concerns around diet and physical activity and health. Governments around the world are grappling with the challenges arising from obesity, micronutrient deficiency and changing dietary patterns and lifestyles. Tackling these issues will require a multifaceted approach, including the provision of better guidance to consumers in terms of labelling and consumer information to help with healthy choices.

Possible Objectives for a Revised Participation in Codex Strategy

The updated Strategy and objectives will align with NZFSA’s Statement of Intent, and any other relevant programmes, and take into account that in our ongoing Codex work, it is in New Zealand’s interests to:

Exercise an influence on the Codex Standards Setting Process

This incorporates the current Codex objectives of promoting the application of fair trade principles and sound science and risk assessment as a basis for the development of international systems and standards. It also incorporates the interface between Codex and other international standards setting bodies.

Ensure a strong and effective Codex System

This continues the work New Zealand has been doing for many years in seeking to strengthen the Codex system and increase its efficiency. It also recognises the revised Strategic Framework for Codex and the need for coordinated strategies to ensure Codex can deliver on its objectives.

Respond to Emerging Global Health and Safety Issues

This new objective recognises the increasing focus of global health and safety issues on Codex work and the broader concerns internationally around diet, physical activity and health.

Build and Maintain Strategic Alliances

This objective recognises the changing membership dynamics in Codex and the need for New Zealand to not only maintain its current relationships, but to look beyond traditional linkages and establish relationships and alliances with new members and groups.