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Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 09:42:46 +0100
Reply-To: PSA Forum
Sender: PSA Forum
From: Wim van Eck
Subject: Paper 1a, response of FAO/WHO on comments received
Comments: To: PSAFORUM@who.int
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dear all.

My name is Wim van Eck, Senior Adviser Food Safety and Nutrition in the Food Safety Department, WHO. I am WHO focal point for the review of the provision of scientific advice. This message relates to paper 1a, the introductory paper, and is sent on behalf of the FAO/WHO Secretariat.

The key issues mentioned in this paper are further elaborated in the other papers that have been prepared for the forum.

International peer review
Most comments received related to the issue of the working arrangements, more in particular to make better of use of national and regional assessments (the latter in the case of the EU).

In 2001 a FAO/WHO consultant reviewed the working arrangements of the JMPR. One of the most important recommendations was to concentrate in an international peer review process on national evaluations. Pesticide regulations are not only well established in many countries around the world but there is also a significant on-going harmonization related to test protocols, data requirements and data submissions and risk analysis principles. Noting that the production of a monograph by summarizing full study reports prior to a meeting of the JMPR is an important limiting factor, the consultant recommended that JMPR should concentrate on the international peer review of existing monographs (produced by national and/or authorities) and on the final international risk assessment taking into account data that are specifically relevant at the international level (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices from different countries, consumption pattern from different countries and regions, etc.). The outcome still would be an independent authoritative final international assessment. A pilot study is ongoing.

The key questions for the consultative process are to identify criteria and conditions for international peer review and worksharing process and examine if the recommendations would be applicable to similar scientific expert bodies to facilitate the establishment of Codex standards.

We would like so receive further input on this issue which was further addressed in paper 3a (prepared by Dr.Hathaway) and paper 3b (prepared by Dr. Pascal).

Responsibilities of FAO and WHO
Dr. Kaferstein raised the issue of responsibilities of FAO and WHO in the light of their mandates. Comments were received from Dr. Fisher, Dr. Mackenzie and Dr. Groth.

The e-forum was preceded by a FAO/WHO planning meeting for the consultative process, during which a set of guiding principles were proposed for all those involved in this process. The discussion on this on this topic is guided by two principles:

1. to make best use of resources available in both organzioations
2. to make best use of the complementarity of expertise available in FAO and WHO

Wim van Eck
Senior Adviser Food Safety and Nutrition
Department Food Safety
WHO, Geneva
(+) 41 22 791 3582
(+) 41 22 791 4807