Welcoming delegates to the 32nd session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) that is taking place virtually from 8 to 17 February 2021,  Julien Denormandie, Minister of Agriculture and Food, of the host country France said that in a world facing a major pandemic, the different stakeholders in the food sector everywhere face the challenge of producing healthy and good quality food in sufficient quantity, while at the same time coping with the risk of health, economic hazards and climatic hazards. “Increasingly, COVID19 is the crisis that has shown … the absolute need to promote an integrated approach to health,” he said. Encouraging actions so that food systems may satisfy the vital needs of an increasing global population, Denormandie said, “in particular … for those who are disadvantaged in the context of a pandemic, international standardization bodies such as Codex Alimentarius must also make it possible to leave no one behind. I believe this is essential”.

Franck Riester, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness said Codex standards form part of the foundations of World Trade Organisation rules and therefore France actively supports the Codex Alimentarius procedures. “We are counting on CCGP to create ambitious new standards,” he said.

Riester stressed how important the work of the committee was in creating standards that allow for better regulation of globalization and international exchanges at the service of citizens. States are adapting to a paperless world by accepting digital authorizations and administrative certifications. “The fight against the pandemic has deeply modified the manner in which we work and CCGP must, of course, adapt to these new circumstances and to working remotely”.

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