History of the consultative process on scientific advice
Some years ago the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) noted
that working arrangements for expert bodies, developed decades previously,
did not meet the needs and expectations of Member Countries, the Commission,
and the public at large as the slow pace of setting food safety and quality
standards might lead to trade vulnerabilities.
In 2001 the CAC therefore recommended that FAO and WHO carry
out "...a review of the status and procedures of the expert bodies in
order to improve the quality, quantity and timeliness of scientific advice",
see ALINORM 01/41,
para 61 [ 661kb] .
FAO and WHO subsequently convened a Preparatory Meeting on the
Elaboration of a Common Framework for the Functioning of Joint FAO/WHO Expert
Bodies and Consultations (Report
[ 166kb]) .
Further action was delayed until the results of the FAO/WHO Evaluation
of the Codex Alimentarius and Other FAO and WHO Food Standards Work was available.
This evaluation
report was submitted to the Directors-General of FAO and WHO in 2003.
In planning the consultative process, FAO and WHO considered
the content of this evaluation, which recommended that "...a consultancy
study should be immediately undertaken of expert advice and risk assessment
and this should be followed by an expert consultation and discussion in Codex".
At the 25 th (Extraordinary) Session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission in 2003 (ALINORM
03/25/5 [ 313kb]),
FAO and WHO reaffirmed their commitment to convening the consultative process.
Codex member countries were again updated at the 26th Session of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission on progress made by FAO/WHO in undertaking the consultative
review of the provision of scientific advice and were advised that the review
process would involve a planning meeting, an electronic forum, followed by
a workshop and a final expert consultation.
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