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MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.2: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT

325. Major Programme 2.2 is implemented essentially by the Economic and Social Department (ES) and the Library and Documentation Systems Division (GIL), which maintains the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT). Building on core statistical work and diverse analytical capabilities, it analyses, in the first instance, the reasons for insufficient progress in combating hunger and malnutrition and proposes actions that can be taken, nationally and internationally, to resolve this problem. Secondly, it plays a significant role in ensuring greater participation of developing countries in the formulation of a rules-based food and agricultural trading system. Thirdly, it assists with the important goal of the whole membership of ensuring improved safety and quality of foods for consumers. It will need to respond to major recent international events, such as the Global Forum of Food Regulators, the UN Conference on Financing for Development and the World Food Summit: five years later.

326. These overriding thrusts translate into the following key substantive priorities:

  1. raising awareness of the benefits of alleviating hunger and poverty and identifying priority areas for policy intervention and investment for achieving the World Food Summit (WFS) target and commitments and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
  2. identification and targeting of the food insecure through FIVIMS88 in full collaboration with its partners, and assisting countries in developing information systems for improved decision making and targeting policies and programmes on poor and undernourished people; progress is reported in a key annual publication, State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI);
  3. in the context of WFS follow-up, elaborating voluntary guidelines to support Member Nations' efforts to achieve the progressive realisation of the right to adequate food89;
  4. promoting sustained improvements in nutritional well-being through: community-based actions that address local causes of malnutrition; support to civil society institutions that create the conditions for poor households to have access to sufficient food; advice on related national and sectoral policies and programmes; and adequate nutrition education;
  5. ensuring food quality and safety throughout the food chain, from primary producers to consumers, including international harmonisation of risk analysis, independent and scientifically-based assessments of food-related risks, and work on food safety at national and international levels in close cooperation with WHO90, particularly through the Codex Alimentarius Commission; a key dimension is capacity building for developing countries to organise and manage their food control systems;
  6. facilitating the integration of developing countries into international markets, especially to assist those seeking to enhance the competitiveness of their agricultural products through improved domestic and trade policies, and to enable them to participate as well-informed and equal partners in multilateral trade negotiations (MTN) on agriculture;
  7. access by a broad range of users to comprehensive and high-quality information and statistics based on common concepts, standards and definitions for international comparisons and reflecting the global situation; this goes hand in hand with strengthening national statistical systems so that reliable and timely data are available for policy formulation and decision making;
  8. regular and timely assessments of food supply/demand situations, the outlook for agricultural commodities and strategic analyses and perspectives on longer-term food and agriculture and food security at national, regional and global levels;
  9. improving preparedness and response to food emergencies through refinement of GIEWS91 methodologies and indicators for crop and food supply assessments, particularly in complex emergencies, and by incorporating nutritional considerations; and
  10. further expansion of WAICENT, also raising international awareness that the widest possible access to, and dissemination of information are essential to achieving the goals of the World Food Summit; outreach to countries is to strengthen management of national agricultural information and research systems, utilising WAICENT standards and methodologies, adapted to different levels of technology, and meeting the information needs of key audiences; the major programme will provide a neutral forum for governments to discuss and establish effective national and international information management policies.

Intra-departmental Entities

Code Type Title A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 E3
220A1

TP

Insecurity and Vulnerability Information for Better Policy Targeting (FIVIMS)

                 
220A2

TP

Mid-term Review in 2006 of Progress towards WFS Targets

         
       
220P1

CP

World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goals Monitoring and Action

 
                 
220S1

TS

Servicing the Committee on World Food Security

                     
Legend
  Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million US$ 1.5 million to 3 million US$ 3 million to 5 million More than US$ 5 million

Resource Summary 2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
MTP 2002-07 Programme of Work 0   0   0    
PWB 2002-03 and MTP 2004-09 Programme of Work 0   6037   5897   5727
Less: Other Income 0   0   0   0
Less: Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Appropriation 0   6037   5897   5727
Change in Net Appropriation versus PWB 2002-03              

327. This new programme regroups intra-departmental entities that relate most directly to assistance in achieving the WFS target of halving the number of undernourished by 2015. They involve components implemented by units across the ES Department. This programme contributes principally to Strategic Objectives A2, E1, E2, and E3. The main highlights are as follows:

  1. 220A1, Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information for Better Policy Targeting (FIVIMS), includes close collaboration amongst UN agencies and other international development partners through the Inter-agency Working Group on FIVIMS and supports the implementation of country level FIVIMS;
  2. 220A2, Mid-term Review in 2006 of Progress towards the WFS Targets, and 220P1, World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goals Monitoring and Action, include FAO's contribution to monitoring of MDGs and participation in the Millennium Project; and
  3. 220S1, Servicing the Committee on World Food Security, recognises the importance of the CFS92 as the central forum for food security issues.

328. Voluntary guidelines to support Member States' efforts to achieve the progressive realisation of the right to adequate food will be elaborated under this programme93.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

220A1 | Insecurity and Vulnerability Information for Better Policy Targeting (FIVIMS)

Timeframe: 2004 - 2009

2004-09 Resources US$ 12,630,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 0   4060   4210   4360
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 0   4060   4210   4360
Rationale

329. Development problem to be addressed: actions taken to address food insecurity and vulnerability are often not well targeted, highly sectoral and institutional in focus, with no assessment carried out of their impact and benefits. Therefore, decision makers need reliable, accurate and consistent information on the extent and magnitude of food insecurity and vulnerability, at sub-national, national, regional and global levels for the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of pro-poor policies and interventions.

330. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: improved information on food insecurity and vulnerability at sub-national level will lead to more appropriate and effective action. It should support: better targeting of resources and interventions; effective monitoring of progress towards achieving national food security and other relevant development goals; and improved efficiency in the utilisation of institutional resources.

331. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: all food insecure and vulnerable groups will benefit from better targeted interventions.

Objective(s)

332. Assist Members and the international community in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes to achieve the food security goals of the WFS and other international conferences, by providing accurate and timely information on the incidence, nature and causes of food insecurity and vulnerability at the national and sub-national levels.

Indicator(s)
  1. Countries where FIVIMS outputs were used as justification for national budget allocations supporting food security targets.
  2. Examples of use of FIVIMS information and outputs by key national institutions.
  3. Countries where FIVIMS information was used, or referred to in policy formulation.
Major Output(s)
  1. Improved methods, techniques and tools for FIVIMS.
  2. Enhanced capacity in countries in information management and use.
  3. Coordinated actions by national and international partners in support of FIVIMS.
  4. Global assessment and monitoring of progress towards food security targets.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

220A2 | Mid-term Review in 2006 of Progress towards WFS Targets

Timeframe: 2004 - 2006

2004-09 Resources US$ 1,048,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 0   690   358   0
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 0   690   358   0
Rationale

333. Development problem to be addressed: at the World Food and Millennium Summits, governments pledged to halve hunger and poverty by 2015. The impact of the strategies and policies adopted to achieve this target needs to be documented to identify any corrective actions that may be required at international, regional or national levels.

334. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the in-depth review of progress in World Food Summit follow-up will enable the redesign, or confirmation, of food security policies, strategies and action plans, and thus help reduce the number of hungry people.

335. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: the vulnerable groups in countries suffering from hunger and poverty are clearly the main beneficiaries.

Objective(s)

336. To take stock of achievements against the WFS goals at mid-term, in order to improve, redirect and expand policies and programmes to implement the Plan of Action, as required to attain WFS goals in 2015.

Indicator(s)
  1. Major media quoting the results of the review.
  2. Example of corrective measures taken as a result of the review (e.g. donors increasing their commitment to food security, countries adopting refined policies and programmes).
Major Output(s)
  1. Long-term prospects on access to food and extent of under-nourishment.
  2. Assessment of impact of policies on access to food and under-nourishment.
  3. Mid-term review documentation and examination by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in 2006.
  4. Assessment of progress of developing countries in integration into global agricultural trade.
  5. Anthropometric studies in estimating under-nourishment.
  6. Information on food consumption distribution to assist with estimating the number of under-nourished.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

220P1 | World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goals Monitoring and Action

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 2,847,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 0   925   949   973
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 0   925   949   973
Rationale

337. Development problem to be addressed: this entity is complementary to the preceding one in being of an ongoing nature, as opposed to the one-time, highly focused exercise covered under 220A2.

338. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: close monitoring of progress towards World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and fostering of information exchange, debate and consensus building on policy issues, will result in more effective implementation of food security policies, strategies and action plans, thus helping to reduce the number of hungry people.

339. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: the vulnerable groups in developing countries suffering from hunger and poverty are also the main beneficiaries.

Objective(s)

340. An operational mechanism is set up, monitoring progress towards the attainment of the WFS goals and helping decision makers in governments, donor agencies and civil society to implement policies and manage food security interventions and take corrective action, as necessary.

Indicator(s)
  1. Number of countries and international organizations providing and extracting information to and from the monitoring system.
  2. Example of corrective measures taken in part thanks to the monitoring system (e.g. additional financial commitments, new policies and programmes, changes in approach).
Major Output(s)
  1. Analysis of MDG policy issues of relevance to FAO.
  2. Monitoring of, and information exchange on WFS Plan of Action implementation.
  3. Thematic analyses on WFS follow-up issues.
  4. Monitoring of MDGs in the context of the UN system.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

220S1 | Servicing the Committee on World Food Security

Timeframe: technical services on demand

2004-09 Resources US$ 1,136,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 0   362   380   394
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 0   362   380   394

341. The inclusion of this entity under Programme 2.2.0 better reflects the inter-disciplinary nature of servicing functions to the Committee on World Food Security.

Programme 2.2.1: Nutrition, Food Quality and Safety

Code Type Title A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 E3
221A2

TP

Nutrition Improvement for Sustainable Development

 
                   
221A4

TP

Community Action for Improved Household Food Security and Nutrition

 
                   
221A5

TP

Food and Nutrition Education, Communications and Training

                   
221A6

TP

Nutrition and Household Food Security in Emergencies

   
                 
221P1

CP

Nutrient Requirements and Dietary Assessment for Food Safety and Quality

     
         
   
221P2

CP

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)

     
               
221P5

CP

Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection

     
     
   
221P6

CP

Food Safety Assessment and Rapid Alert System

   
       
   
221P7

CP

Public Information about Nutrition, Food Quality and Safety

                   
 
221P8

CP

Food Quality and Safety throughout the Food Chain

     
           
221S1

TS

Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

 
           
Legend
 

Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million

US$ 1.5 million to 3 million

US$ 3 million to 5 million

More than US$ 5 million

Resource Summary 2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
MTP 2002-07 Programme of Work 17330   17878   18388    
PWB 2002-03 and MTP 2004-09 Programme of Work 16492   18094   18905   20063
Less: Other Income 1074   1116   1129   1178
Less: Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Appropriation 15418   16978   17776   18885
Change in Net Appropriation versus PWB 2002-03     10%   15%   22%

342. Programme 2.2.1 has an expanded title to reflect overriding priorities on food quality and safety. The fundamental objective remains assistance with access to, and consumption of nutritionally adequate and safe diets by all. Priority is given to human nutrition requirements and dietary assessment for food quality and safety which are consolidated in entity 221P1, while work on food composition will be integrated there, though at a lower level. Resources for food safety assessment and quality control and consumer protection are increased substantially. A new entity 221P8, Food Quality and Safety throughout the Food Chain, is to act as a catalyst for inter-departmental collaboration on key aspects of the food chain, from the primary producer to the consumer. Entity 221P2, Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme Codex Alimentarius) which provides the Secretariat for the Codex Alimentarius Commission, retains its prominence.

343. The impact of lower than anticipated resources in the biennium 2002-03 was felt mostly under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme as the publication of an additional four volumes of Codex Alimentarius in all languages would not be possible. Under Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection (221P5), scientific evaluation and nutritional and safety assessment of foods derived from biotechnology, and the provision of advice to countries and to the Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology was curtailed. These and other affected activities should be able to recover lost ground with the proposed provisions in 2004-09.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221A2 | Nutrition Improvement for Sustainable Development

Timeframe: 2002 - 2007

2004-09 Resources US$ 3,862,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 1756   1896   1966   0
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 1756   1896   1966   0
Rationale

344. Development problem to be addressed: following the International Conference on Nutrition and the World Food Summit, a large number of countries have adopted national plans of action on food security and nutrition in both rural and urban environments. These documents describe major policy orientations and define strategies for meeting the goals of reducing hunger and malnutrition. Different implementation approaches need to be analysed to draw lessons on what works and what does not, so as to improve the impact and sustainability of national actions.

345. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the intent is to generate lasting effects through capacity building, collaborative learning and empowerment of vulnerable populations and communities. Experience has shown that community-based processes which are able to mobilise populations are essential for rapid and sustainable reduction of under-nutrition and malnutrition.

346. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: the end beneficiaries are food insecure rural and urban households with particular attention to women, and also community groups, community leaders and local NGOs. Their views and interests will be at the heart of the learning process supported by this entity.

Objective(s)

347. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of national plans of action for food security and nutrition.

Indicator(s)
  1. Countries that have made progress in the introduction of appropriate nutrition considerations in national sectoral and overall policies and plans.
  2. Evidence of policy at work (inter-sectoral coordination structures, targeted programmes).
Major Output(s)
  1. Food security and nutrition policy advocacy.
  2. Assistance in the implementation of National Plans of Action for Nutrition (NPAN) and WFS Plan of Action.
  3. Strategies to meet urban food security and nutrition needs.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221A4 | Community Action for Improved Household Food Security and Nutrition

Timeframe: 2002 - 2007

2004-09 Resources US$ 2,722,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 1240   1335   1387   0
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 1240   1335   1387   0
Rationale

348. Development problem to be addressed: national and sectoral development policies and programmes must address household food security and be complemented by effective, inter-disciplinary, participatory and community-based action addressing local causes of malnutrition (e.g. chronic or seasonal shortages, lack of dietary diversity, inadequate feeding practices).

349. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: better targeted, more participatory and well coordinated community-based programmes aimed at improving household food security and nutrition, are expected to strengthen community ownership and promote sustainability, thus improving performance and benefits to food insecure poor and vulnerable communities in both rural and urban areas. Lessons learned at the community level will be fed into policy formulation, in order to remove policy constraints to household food security, and promote pro-poor policies for achieving food security and nutritional well-being.

350. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: vulnerable and poor population groups will benefit most from participatory appraisal and planning processes and community ownership of measures towards nutritionally adequate diets.

Objective(s)

351. Assist national and international development institutions and NGOs to initiate, implement and evaluate community-based programmes aimed at improving household food security and nutrition in both urban and rural areas; enhance collaboration among development practitioners towards practical community-based food security and nutrition interventions.

Indicator(s)
  1. Countries and institutions using methodologies and guidelines for household food security and nutrition strategies and actions.
  2. Examples of programmes which successfully strengthened community ownership and improved targeting, as a result of, inter alia, using outputs from this entity.
Major Output(s)
  1. Methodologies and guidelines for household food security and nutrition strategies and actions.
  2. Capacity building at national, sub-national and institutional levels for household food security and nutrition actions and interventions.
  3. An international forum for promoting household food security and community nutrition.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221A5 | Food and Nutrition Education, Communications and Training

Timeframe: 2002 - 2007

2004-09 Resources US$ 2,267,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 1062   1113   1154   0
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 1062   1113   1154   0
Rationale

352. Development problem to be addressed: people, especially poor and vulnerable groups, require not only access to nutritionally adequate foods, but also the knowledge and motivation to make best use of available resources to meet the food needs of each household's members. However, the capacity in many countries to provide effective nutrition education and communication within schools, to the public, to highly vulnerable groups (e.g. victims of emergencies and HIV/AIDS affected communities) and to decision makers is limited.

353. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: effective nutrition education, which is recognised as a key determinant in the extent to which the benefits of agricultural and economic development translate into adequate diets for all groups, and is also important for combating the rise in non-communicable, diet-related diseases seen in many countries.

354. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: poor households, victims of emergencies, communities affected by HIV/AIDS, school children.

Objective(s)

355. Strengthened capacities of national and local institutions in developing countries and countries in transition to implement effective nutrition education and communication programmes and activities.

Indicator(s)
  1. List of national and local nutrition education programmes supported by this entity.
  2. Examples of nutrition education programmes and institutions having upgraded their capacities and delivery in part thanks to this entity.
Major Output(s)
  1. Promotion of better nutrition through schools.
  2. Capacity building in nutrition education and communication.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221A6 | Nutrition and Household Food Security in Emergencies

Timeframe: 2002 - 2007

2004-09 Resources US$ 1,439,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 635   706   733   0
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 635   706   733   0
Rationale

356. Development problem to be addressed: natural disasters and complex emergencies have significant detrimental effects on food security and nutritional status of affected populations. Many countries require assistance and capacity building to assess this impact, understand coping mechanisms and design appropriate relief and rehabilitation programmes, as well as preparedness plans in at-risk areas.

357. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: strengthened local capacities, better inter-agency collaboration and the incorporation of explicit nutrition and food security objectives, will improve the efficiency of emergency relief and rehabilitation interventions safeguarding the food and nutrition security of the populations vulnerable to, or affected by emergencies.

358. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: population groups and communities affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies will benefit from a combination of interventions geared to ensure their food and nutritional security, including - but not limited to - food aid and group feeding programmes.

Objective(s)

359. National and international development institutions working in emergencies have the technical skills to take due account of nutrition aspects in emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.

Indicator(s)
  1. Examples of emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation programmes with increased capacity to address nutrition issues as a result of this entity.
Major Output(s)
  1. Methods and techniques for incorporation of household food security and nutrition considerations in emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.
  2. Training programmes for incorporation of household food security and nutrition considerations in emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.
  3. Mechanisms for coordinated nutrition interventions in emergency situations.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P1 | Nutrient Requirements and Dietary Assessment for Food Safety and Quality

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 4,659,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 710   1423   1597   1639
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 710   1423   1597   1639
Rationale

360. Development problem to be addressed: human nutrition requirements, both for macro-nutrients (energy and protein) and micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) need to be regularly updated, as new scientific information becomes available. This information is, among others, essential for international and national policy makers for estimating numbers of under-nourished and malnourished at global, national and sub-national levels.

361. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: accurate and up-to-date information on nutrient requirements, and the contrasting of these with dietary patterns, constitute the basis for advice on healthy diets, for the estimation of the number of under-nourished in a given country or region and trends therein, and for Members in assessing their food needs. Governments, NGOs and civil society use these data to design interventions and programmes to improve nutritional status of populations, as well as to promote healthy diets and food quality and safety. International food trade is also facilitated through nutrient content labelling, and risk exposure assessment is achievable by integrating contaminant or anti-nutrient content with nutrient data.

362. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: food consumers worldwide would benefit from improved information on nutrient recommendations, food composition and nutritional value; the food insecure, malnourished and vulnerable groups may benefit from better designed and targeted interventions.

Objective(s)

363. International accepted estimates of the minimum, optimal and maximum safe intakes of macro-nutrients (energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace elements), non-nutrients, and anti-nutrients used as a basis to provide advice on healthy diets, to estimate the number of under-nourished and assist countries in assessing their food needs designing nutrition programmes.

Indicator(s)
  1. National and regional committees adopting and using revised food composition estimates.
  2. Countries and international organizations, food industry and regulatory authorities adopting FAO's recommendations on human nutrient requirements and intakes.
Major Output(s)
  1. The Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.
  2. Recommendations and applications of human nutrient requirements.
  3. Dietary consumption and food data systems.
  4. Nutrient needs and dietary assessment for food quality and safety.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P2 | Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 16,206,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 4585   5116   5331   5759
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 4585   5116   5331   5759
Rationale

364. Development problem to be addressed: protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, require science-based, internationally-accepted standards for food quality and safety that can be used in national and international regulatory frameworks.

365. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: food standards form the commonly agreed basis for consumer protection and the removal of arbitrary or unjustified discrimination measures to trade. National standards that are based on internationally agreed standards provide adequate consumer protection and lead to the reduction of arbitrary and unjustified technical barriers to trade.

366. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: food producers, processors, traders and consumers will benefit from the improved confidence in the quality and safety of food products marketed in domestic and international trade.

Objective(s)

367. Internationally accepted, science-based food standards and related instruments are used by governments at the national level, or as a reference in bi-lateral, regional or international agreements to protect consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Indicator(s)
  1. List of recommendations from the Codex Alimentarius officially adopted in national and international policies, principles or instruments.
  2. Examples of cases where Codex Alimentarius standards were used to resolve international trade disputes.
Major Output(s)
  1. Food standards, guidelines and other recommendations for consumer protection and trade.
  2. International policies and principles for food standardisation.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P5 | Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 8,257,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 2386   2654   2752   2851
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 2386   2654   2752   2851
Rationale

368. Development problem to be addressed: under the WTO agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT), countries are required to harmonise their food safety and quality standards with those of Codex Alimentarius; they also need to establish effective food quality assurance and control systems at both national and local levels to protect local consumer and promote trade. In addition, increased consumer awareness of food quality and safety issues requires objective and science-based risk communication.

369. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: well formulated national policies and regulatory frameworks for food quality control and consumer protection will facilitate the establishment of effective food quality assurance and food control systems at both national and local levels, including food import/export inspection and certification and foods distributed through the informal sector. The entity also enhances consumer awareness of food quality and safety issues through objective and science-based risk communication.

370. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: by contributing to the safety and quality of the food supply, this entity will benefit, above all, consumers in all regions.

Objective(s)

371. To help countries organise and manage their food control systems, harmonise their food standards and regulations with the Codex Alimentarius, participate in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and therefore facilitate access of their products to international food markets.

Indicator(s)
  1. List of countries which received technical assistance and used it to reform their food control systems.
  2. Increase in active participation of developing countries in Codex Alimentarius.
Major Output(s)
  1. Harmonisation of national food control regulations with Codex.
  2. Support to national food quality and safety assurance systems and programmes.
  3. Support to risk communication and consumer awareness.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P6 | Food Safety Assessment and Rapid Alert System

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 4,962,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 1434   1595   1654   1713
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 1434   1595   1654   1713
Rationale

372. Development problem to be addressed: ensuring quality and safety of food in the interest of consumer protection and international trade requires the scientific assessment of risks associated with food additives, contaminants, veterinary drugs, microbiological hazards, and biotechnologies, so as to provide a scientific basis for the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and FAO's member countries. It also helps resolve emerging and/or accidental food safety-related problems.

373. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: many countries do not have easy access to the expertise and the resources necessary to undertake comprehensive risk assessments. Neutral, independent and scientifically-grounded assessments of food-related risks and contaminant exposure are, therefore, indispensable for them to take appropriate measures in protecting their consumers.

374. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: consumers should benefit from safer food; and food producers and traders from stronger consumer confidence.

Objective(s)

375. To assist countries with sound, scientific assessments of food-related risks, allowing them to respond appropriately to food-related crises and to implement effective regulatory systems; enhance transparency in international food trade through globally accepted scientific assessments.

Indicator(s)
  1. Instances where food safety assessments were used in the management of food-related risks at national/international levels.
Major Output(s)
  1. Scientific safety evaluations of food additives, contaminants and processes.
  2. Risk assessment through dietary intake studies.
  3. Database on food additives and contaminants.
  4. Food safety rapid alert and crisis management system.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P7 | Public Information about Nutrition, Food Quality and Safety

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 1,098,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 348   353   366   379
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 348   353   366   379
Rationale

376. Development problem to be addressed: public interest in nutrition, diet and health, food safety, and food regulations has never been so high, requiring unbiased, understandable and readily available information on these subjects.

377. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the entity will provide information regarding nutrition, food quality and safety, to help professional non-specialists and educated "lay" persons in making informed decisions. The information products under this CP also provide an opportunity for practitioners, as well as researchers to exchange views and experiences.

378. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: consumers, the general public and educators should take advantage of unbiased information on food safety and nutrition to improve diets.

Objective(s)

379. A steady stream of unbiased information on nutrition, food insecurity, diet and health, under-nutrition, livelihood strategies, food quality and safety, food regulations and international food standards reaches out to the food industry, consumer organizations, NGOs, and is relayed to the general public.

Indicator(s)
  1. Examples of topics and issues explored by the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Journal/Web site, that were widely quoted or reviewed in media and consumer organizations' publications.
Major Output(s)
  1. Journal of Food, Nutrition and Agriculture.
  2. Food and Nutrition Web site.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221P8 | Food Quality and Safety throughout the Food Chain

Timeframe: continuing programme activity

2004-09 Resources US$ 1,793,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 0   517   530   746
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 0   517   530   746
Rationale

380. Development problem to be addressed: food quality and safety are paramount to ensure public health, consumer confidence and access to international trade. Yet providing safe and nutritious food to consumers requires a commitment to quality throughout the food chain, i.e. in agriculture production, harvesting, processing and marketing practices, and the set-up of "farm (or sea) to table" quality control systems.

381. Proposed contribution to problem resolution: this new entity will develop a framework for access to safe and nutritious food, addressing policy advice, safety evaluations, capacity building and technical assistance, and actions that need to be taken along the food chain at national and international level, laying the groundwork for the development of comprehensive and efficient food safety systems.

382. Intended end beneficiaries and benefits: consumers are prime end beneficiaries via the expected improvement of the safety and quality of food supplies. Food producers, processors and distributors should take advantage of improved access to national and international markets.

Objective(s)

383. Contribute to the development of comprehensive and efficient food safety systems and provide a framework for more focused policy advice, provision of safety evaluations, capacity building and technical assistance, and required interventions along the food chain.

Indicator(s)
  1. Examples of "farm to table" quality control systems contemplated or implemented due in part to this entity.
Major Output(s)
  1. Elaboration of strategic frameworks for the food chain.

(All amounts in US$ 000s)

221S1 | Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

Timeframe: technical services on demand

2004-09 Resources US$ 4,326,000

  PWB MTP
  2002-03   2004-05   2006-07   2008-09
Programme of Work (initial) 1289   1386   1435   1505
Estimated Additional Voluntary Contributions 0   0   0   0
Total Programme of Work 1289   1386   1435   1505

384. This entity also covers servicing of statutory bodies from the nutrition perspective, as well as support to non-FAO bodies.

88 Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System

89 Subject to the decision of the FAO Council at its 123rd session

90 World Health Organization

91 Global Information and Early Warning System

92 Committee on World Food Security

93 Subject to the decision of the FAO Council at its 123rd session

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