Back to listing

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 13:15:33 +0100
Reply-To: PSA Forum
Sender: PSA Forum
From: "Costarrica, Lourdes (ESNS)"
Subject: Comments on paper 3d Enhancing the role of developing countries i n developing scientific advice
Content-type: multipart/mixed;
[multipart/alternative]

Dear Forum participants:

My name is Maria de Lourdes Costarrica. I have been working in FAO since 1986 on the provision of scientific advice and implementation on technical projects on food safety. I am FAO's focal point for this consultative process and appreciate the useful comments you have been provided to us. The following remarks refers to some comments made by the Forum participants to paper 3d and and the reply sent by Mr. Gonzalez, author of the paper, on 11 November.

Dr. Nguz, 13 October; Dr. Mukherrjee 13 October; Dr. Gonzalez, 11 November

Dr. Nguz suggested that FAO and WHO Regional and Local Offices link up with experts from academia and research through a structure such as The Food Safety Authority, however such type of structure is not available in most of the developing countries and therefore identification of experts imply contacts with several national institutions. Dr. Mukherrjee mentioned that it would be appropriate if the National Codex Contact Points prepare a list of experts and keep it available to FAO/WHO through a website. Dr. Gonzalez pointed out the important role of the Codex Contact Point on this matter. We would appreciate additional comments on this topic taking in consideration practical local difficulties faced by the Codex contact points in some countries for its operation and the fact that their present duties do not include this task.

Dr. Ndegwa, 14 October
Dr. Ndegwa's comments related to the support by international organizations to build scientific capacities and support programmes on risk assessment, presents an option that requires further thought for adequate planning . Countries should need to establish their own priorities, define resources they are ready to use for this purpose and prepare a tentative program for its implementation in an specific period of time. Within this framework it could be easier for them to search for support from international organizations and potential donors/institutions interested in establishing some alliances for the implementation of joint research in this field. FAO/WHO would like to hear additional comments on this point from the forum participants.

Dr. Adegoke, 23 October; Mr. Nguz,23 October
We support the plea of Dr. Adegoke for more comments to the forum from experts from experts from developing countries. One issue that still could be further discussed is proposals to ensure that the needs of developing countries for scientific advice in the framework of the Codex work are better addressed. Some participants mentioned that these could be achieve through a better participation of those countries in Codex meetings and expert committees and consultations.Mr. Nguz has descrived some specific problems in the setting of priorities at international level. Are there additional comments from the forum participants in this regard?

Maria de Lourdes Costarrica Food Quality Liaison Group Food Quality and Standards Service Food and Nutrition Division Tel: + 39 06 5705 6060 Fax: + 39 06 5705 4593 email: lourdes.costarrica@fao.org