Existing ASEAN mechanisms
The following groups are coordinated through the respective Chairpersons (of Working Groups) or the appointed lead countries (of projects/ initiatives), with assistance and service provided by the ASEAN Secretariat. Individual ASEAN Member Countries have assigned their focal points for the groups, which meet normally at least once a year.
ASEAN Expert Group on Food Safety (AEGFS)
This is a subsidiary body under the ASEAN Senior Officials on Health Development (SOMHD) which is responsible for formulating ASEAN Food Safety Policy and ASEAN Food Safety Improvement Plan (AFSIP);
ASEAN Task Force on Codex (ATFC)
This Task Force reports to the SOM-AMAF for coordinating ASEAN's position on matters pertaining to the agenda to be discussed at Codex Committees and Codex Alimentarius Commission meetings;
Product Working Group on Prepared Foodstuff
It is a working group under the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) in addressing the elimination of technical barriers to trade for prepared food stuffs
ASEAN Sub-Committee on Food Science and Technology (SCFST)
A sub-committee under the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) responsible for promoting intra-ASEAN cooperation and collaboration, establishing databases for exchange of information, and increasing capabilities and improving infrastructure;
ASEAN Food Safety Network
A recently ASEAN established network to provide cohesive approach for the relevant sectoral ASEAN bodies in addressing the issues of non-tariff barriers related to food safety, that are facing the region's agricultural and fisheries trade. Thailand is the lead country for this network.
ASEAN Network on Cultured Shrimp Inspection Authority
A newly established task force to work together towards mutual recognition of regulatory inspection and control system of antibiotic residues in cultured shrimp products in ASEAN. Thailand has been appointed as the lead country.
ASEAN Network of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology (FPHT) Centre
Under the coordination of Singapore, as the lead country, the Network has been working in close collaboration with the Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) of SEAFDEC focusing on research and training in aspects of seafood safety and quality and HACCP.
ASEAN Fishery Federation (AFF)
ASEAN Fisheries Federation (AFF) is an association of private sector of fisheries industry affiliated to ASEAN with its main objective to promote and coordinate all activities relating to fisheries and fisheries-based products. The Constitution of the ASEAN Fisheries Federation forms the basic framework for administration and operation. The AFF is currently involving a number of fishery issues, particularly in relation to trade and export of fish and fishery products including the chloramphenicol ban.
Recommendations for the workshop that related to the strengthening of ASEAN countries and ASEAN- type mechanisms included the following:
establish an ASEAN veterinary drug surveillance and control initiative (to enhance monitoring and control over the use of drugs, both veterinary and non-veterinary);
encourage the establishment of an ASEAN Sea Food safety Information network;
develop ASEAN Sea Food safety standards;
establish or enhance ASEAN Sea Food Safety Reference Laboratory(ies);
promote and support ASEAN Sea Food Trade Risk Assessment; and
Identify the key elements of an ASEAN food safety system. (Once this is established, then there is a possibility to determine the training, information and networking needs. This group could cover areas of regional interest such as HACCP, CoC or GAP and training).
ASEAN fisheries food safety group
Establish an 'ASEAN fisheries food safety network/group' (possibly as under the ASWGFi) responsible for looking at each country's system and how effectively does it address the issues relating to safety of fisheries products. National committees would be formed and members drawn from the competent national agencies. The focal point would represent the country at the ASEAN committee. Initially, this group would meet with the purpose of starting dialogue on standardization of control measures and sharing/comparison of approaches.
Improve ASEAN access to information required for risk analysis
Collate research and coordinate with institutions (and especially importing countries) that are involved in studying:
the harmful effects of antibiotics and residues on human health and
international agreement/standardization of detection methods for these antibiotics (e.g. sensitivity, cross calibration/comparison of ELISA methods, elaborating issues relating to false positives and false negatives in testing methods).
