40. Mr Paul Mayers, Canada, presented a document on “Capacity building in the regulation and safety assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology - a Canadian perspective” (AC 05/6). The speaker provided a brief overview of modern biotechnology as it relates to application in food production and noted the regulatory environment of such products, with particular emphasis on the principles for risk analysis and guidelines for safety assessment adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. He then went on to share Canada's experience in providing technical assistance to build capacity in developing countries for the conduct of safety assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology. The speaker noted that Canada had developed modular training tools aimed at providing experiential training in the conduct of safety assessment and had applied these tools in training workshops in over twenty countries. He indicated that Canada had recently been invited to partner with FAO and WHO to develop a standardized training package that would assist countries in the implementation of the internationally accepted principles for risk assessment of products derived from modern biotechnology.
41. The delegates thanked Canada for preparing the paper and for sharing its experience in capacity building in the area of the safety assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology.
42. Many countries indicated that this subject is a priority concern for them, therefore underlining the need to develop/further enhance technical capacity in this area. The Conference recognized that the countries of the region may have different needs in this regard as they are at different stages of technical development.
43. The Conference recognized that a general knowledge of food safety risk assessment techniques is a good foundation for risk assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology and noted the activities undertaken by FAO and WHO/PAHO in the region in that regard.
44. It was noted that training initiatives may benefit from the inclusion of both food safety and environmental assessments of such products and that this may prove particularly useful in small countries where the same resources/expertise may be responsible for both assessment functions.
45. The Conference agreed that opportunities for training should be explored from a regional perspective, using existing regional fora, such as FAO and WHO meetings, CCLAC and CARICOM, in order to maximize effectiveness. An evaluation of technical capacity at the national level, the identification of specific needs and the customization of training programmes on that basis was recommended as the best approach for such capacity building. Canada indicated its willingness to support such initiatives to the greatest extent possible.
46. Ms Nury Prat, Inter-American Network of Food Analytical Laboratories (INFAL, with FAO/PAHO joint secretariat), presented information on this organization (CRD 15). The speaker outlined the objectives of INFAL, its voluntary and official nature, as well as its structure. The main activities of INFAL were highlighted, including a “chat” system of electronic communication; internet-based distance-learning courses, inter-laboratory testing and cooperation provided by INPPAZ/PAHO. The FAO project providing technical assistance to the network was also noted.
47. The Conference thanked INFAL for presenting the paper and expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to the food analytical laboratories in the region through this network.
48. The Conference noted that the intention of the FAO project was to assist in the strengthening of the quality assurance of the laboratory results, not specifically to comply with the ISO 17025 standard, although meeting the ISO standard may be a result of good laboratory practices. It was emphasized that ISO 17025 is a private standard which laboratories can use as a basis for equivalence; however, although it is recommended by Codex, each country must decide if they choose to seek accreditation for meeting the standard.
49. Several delegations expressed interest in joining the network and others noted the value of more English-speaking countries joining the network so that the electronic chat sessions could also be held in English. The Conference noted that FAO and PAHO are working to facilitate the participation of more English-speaking countries in the network.
