INAUGURAL STATEMENT TO THE FAO/WHO GLOBAL FORUM OF FOOD SAFETY REGULATORS

Marrakech, 28-30 January 2002

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I should like to express my gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and his Government for having kindly invited us to hold the Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators in this lovely historical city of Marrakech.

Food security is one of FAO's top priorities. Feeding - and feeding properly - the hundreds of millions of people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition requires attention not only to calorie needs but also to quality concerns.

Several million people suffer or die each year from foodborne diseases. This unacceptable situation calls for prompt and effective remedial action. It is not only a health and economic imperative but also a moral responsibility.

Food safety concerns all participants in the food chain, from primary producers to consumers, as food can be contaminated by pathogens at any link of this chain.

The most effective and often least expensive actions should therefore aim to prevent such contamination at source.

The latest food crises have highlighted the responsibility of farming and farmers in consolidating food safety. Their involvement in resolving the problem is therefore more than a requirement; it is a duty.

Responsibility for food safety must also be shared by the private sector, consumers and public authorities who need to work together to put in place adequate regulations, appropriate institutions, proven capacities and effective controls.

Finally, food safety is a shared responsibility of developed and developing countries. With the increasing globalization of trade in food products, health requirements applied by importing countries must seek to protect consumers and not to raise technical barriers to trade.

Food safety is thus clearly the responsibility of all. I therefore urge the developed countries to provide the developing countries with their technical and financial support.

FAO is ready to play a major role in setting up an integrated international food safety system, in cooperation with WHO and the other international agencies concerned.

Food safety and food security are inseparable. Food safety is an inalienable right of each individual and requires an effort of understanding, communication and cooperation.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am convinced that this Forum will produce real progress towards ensuring that everyone has access to safe food.

I therefore wish you every success in your deliberations.

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