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COFI:FT (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at its Sixteenth Session (1985) in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of the Organization and Rule VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure.
Purpose
The terms of reference of the Sub-Committee as decided by COFI are the following:
The Sub-Committee shall provide a forum for consultations on technical and economic aspects of international trade in fish and fishery products including pertinent aspects of production and consumption. In particular, the work of the Sub-Committee will include:
a) Periodic reviews on the situation and outlook of principal fishery commodity markets covering all factors influencing them;
b) on the basis of special studies, discussion of specific fish trade problems and possible solutions;
c) discussion of suitable measures to promote international trade in fish and fishery products and formulation of recommendations to improve the participation of developing countries in this trade, including trade-related services;
d) in conjunction with the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, formulation of recommendations for the promotion of international quality standards and the harmonization of quality control and inspection procedures and regulations;
e) consultation and formulation of recommendations for economically-viable fishery commodity development, including processing methods, the upgrading of products and production of final products in developing countries.
First Session
October 1986.
Membership
Open to all Member Nations of the Organization. Non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, or any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted by the Council of the Organization to Membership in the Sub-Committee.
The following Members attended the Sixth Session:
| Albania Antigua and Barbuda Brazil Bulgaria Canada Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Dominica Equatorial Guinea Estonia European Community (Member Organization) |
Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Hungary Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Italy Japan Kenya Latvia Lithuania Mexico Moldova, Republic of |
Morocco Namibia New Zealand Norway Oman Peru Philippines Portugal Romania Sierra Leone Slovakia South Africa Spain Sudan Sweden |
Syria Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Tunisia Turkey United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay Yemen |
Observers: Belarus, Russian Federation, Ukraine.
Working Languages
Arabic, English, French, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Those of COFI.
Pattern of Sessions
1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
The Sub-Committee continued to monitor recent developments in world fish trade and its cooperation as International Commodity Body for fishery products with the Common Fund for Commodities. It discussed and agreed on the proposals for initiating a scientific review of the CITES, listing criteria related to large-scale, commercially-harvested fish species and for investigating the feasibility and practicability of developing non-discriminatory, globally- applicable technical guidelines for the eco-labelling of fish and fishery products. Other relevant issues of international trade, environment and sustainable development were reviewed.
APFIC (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established under an agreement drafted in Baguio, Philippines, in February 1948, and which came into force on 9 November 1948. The FAO Conference at its Fourth Session (1948) approved the establishment of this Body under the title "Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council" (IPFC). The Agreement was amended by the IPFC at its Ninth Session (1961) in order to bring it into line with the principles regarding such Bodies adopted by the FAO Conference at its Ninth Session (1957, Resolutions 43/57 and 46/57). The amendments were approved by FAO Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961, Resolution 27/61).
At its Seventeenth Session (1976), the IPFC changed its title and further amended the Agreement in order to change the functions of the Body in such a way as to enable it to take action directly related to fishery management and development in its area of responsibility. The amendments were approved by the FAO Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 4/72).
The Hundred and Seventh Session of the Council (Rome, 15-24 November 1994) changed the name of the IPFC to that above and approved the amendments of the Agreement for its functions. The Agreement was further amended and approved by the FAO Council at its Hundred and Twelfth Session in June 1997.
Purpose
To promote the full and proper utilization of living aquatic resources through the development and management of fishing and culture operations, as well as through the related processing and marketing activities conforming to the objectives of its Members. Article IV of the Agreement lists the functions as follows:
First Session
March 1949.
Membership
Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which accept the Agreement in accordance with Article X thereof. Other Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.
The present Membership is:
| Australia Bangladesh Cambodia China France |
India Indonesia Japan Korea, Republic of Malaysia |
Myanmar Nepal New Zealand Pakistan Philippines |
Sri Lanka Thailand United Kingdom United States of America Viet Nam |
Working Languages
English, French.
Rules of Procedure
Provisionally adopted at the First Session (1949), revised at the Ninth Session (1961) and amended at the Twelfth (1966), Sixteenth (1974), Seventeenth (1976), Eighteenth (1978) and Twenty-fifth (1996) Sessions.
Pattern of Sessions
Normally biennial.
Subsidiary Bodies
APFIC Committee on Marine Fisheries (FI-779) (English, French) (1).
- All Member Nations that are Members of the Commission.
APFIC Committee on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries (FI-710) (1).
- All Member Nations that are Members of the Commission (English, French).
Achievement 1998-99
During 1998-99, the Sixty-seventh Session of the APFIC Executive Committee, the Twenty-sixth Session of the Commission at which the achievements of APFIC during 1948-98 were reviewed, and the APFIC Symposium on Fish Utilization in the Asia-Pacific Region were held. The Commission established four ad hoc Working Groups to deal with technical issues on data collection, rural aquaculture, food safety, and on legal aspect and financial implications on the future direction of APFIC. These working groups met in 1999 and submitted their reports to the Commission for consideration, through the Executive Committee, at its Sixty-eighth Session in July 2000.
As the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC) was abolished by the FAO Council in June 1999 (Resolution 1/116), the Council further decided that the functions of the former Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal of IOFC be absorbed by APFIC. Further programmes on fisheries management in the Sub-region are also being pursued.
GFCM (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established under an Agreement drafted in Rome on 24 September 1949 and approved by the FAO Conference at its Fifth Session (1949) and which came into force on 20 February 1952. The Agreement was amended by the GFCM at its First Special Session (1963), with the subsequent approval of the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 39/63), and further amended at the Thirteenth GFCM Session (1976), with the subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventieth Session (1976, Resolution 3/70) and lately amended by the Twenty-second Session (Rome 1997) with the subsequent approval of the FAO Council, November 1997.
Purpose
To promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea; to keep the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry under review and recommend measures for its development; to encourage, recommend and, as appropriate, undertake training, extension, research and development activities in all aspects of fisheries, including the protection of living marine resources (Article III of the Agreement).
First Session
July 1952.
Membership
Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XI thereof. Other Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.
The present Membership is:
| Albania Algeria Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Egypt |
European Community (Member Organization) France Greece Israel Italy |
Japan Lebanon Libya Malta Monaco Morocco |
Romania Spain Syria Tunisia Turkey Yugoslavia |
Working Languages
Arabic, English, French, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Special Session (1963) and amended at the Thirteenth Session (1976) and further amended at the Twenty-second Session (1997).
Pattern of Sessions
Annual as from 1997. (Sessions convened by Chairman of the Commission).
Subsidiary Bodies
Scientific Advisory Committee (FI-720) (Arabic, English, French, Spanish) (1).
(Formerly known as the Committee on Fisheries Management)
- Members of the Commission.
Committee on Aquaculture (FI-719) (English, French).
- Members of the Commission.
Achievement 1998-99
As a follow-up to a recommendation by the First Session of the GFCM Aquaculture Committee, a Consultation on the Application of Article 9 of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in the Mediterranean Region was organized in Rome (19-23 July 1999). The Consultation adopted a Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Principles of the Code.
Scientific Advisory Committee
The newly-created Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) met twice in Rome during the period 1998-99. The First Session was held in March 1999 and was devoted mainly to the structuring and the working methodology of the Committee, and to the identification of the priorities of its future work programme. The Second Session (June 1999) dealt with technical issues related to the definition of the management units, the appraisal of the level of knowledge on the state of the different species and stocks and the conservation of juveniles.
During the reporting period, an Extraordinary Session of the Commission was organized in Alicante, Spain (7-9 July 1999) to discuss the scale of contributions to an autonomous budget. The Twenty-fourth Session of GFCM was also held in Alicante back-to-back to the Extraordinary Session (12-15 July 1999). This Twenty-fourth Session reviewed the recommendations made by the SAC and identified activities to be carried out by the GFCM Subsidiary Bodies.
COPESCAL (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Council at its Seventieth Session (1976, Resolution 4/70).
Purpose
To promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys, as well as to promote research and development programmes for the rational utilization of inland fishery resources; to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures; to assist in the development of aquaculture, recreational fishing, catching, marketing and utilization of fish; to encourage education and training; to assist Members in formulating national and regional programmes to help achieve the objectives referred to in the Statutes.
First Session
March 1979.
Membership
Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members serviced by the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.
The present Membership is:
| Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia |
Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador |
Guatemala Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua |
Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela |
Working Languages
English, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1979).
Pattern of Sessions
1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Conducted regional studies and recommended actions to improve the marketing of fishery products in Latin America and the Caribbean; promoted cooperation among Member Nations for the management of migratory catfish in the Amazon and supported aquaculture development in the Region. Assisted Member Nations in the formulation of regional projects on fish marketing and the management of migratory catfish in the Amazon and established a regional network for exchange of information on rural aquaculture.
EIFAC (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Council at its Twenty-sixth Session (1957, Resolution 2/26).
Purpose
To promote improvements in inland fisheries and to advise Member Governments and FAO on inland fishery matters.
First Session
April 1960.
Membership
Open to all Members in the European Region.
The present Membership is:
| Albania Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia |
European Community (Member Organization) Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland |
Israel Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal |
Romania Slovakia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom Yugoslavia |
Working Languages
English and French.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1960), amended at the Twentieth Session (1998).
Pattern of Sessions
Biennial.
Subsidiary Bodies
Sub-Commission I - Biology and Management
Sub-Commission II - Aquaculture
Sub-Commission III - Protection of the Aquatic Resources
Sub-Commission IV - Social and Economic Issues
Most EIFAC Subsidiary Bodies meet on an ad hoc basis during Plenary Sessions of the Commission. Experts were nominated by Member Nations and served in a personal capacity. The work was usually undertaken by correspondence or ad hoc Working Parties occasionally met informally at the convenor's request.
Achievement 1998-99
The Twentieth Session of the Commission, as well as the Symposium on Water for Sustainable Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture, was held in Carvoeiro, Portugal, from 23 June to 1 July 1998. The report of the Symposium was published as FAO Fisheries Report No 580, Supplement. Selected papers presented at the Symposium were published as a Special Issue of Fisheries Management and Ecology, Volume 7 (1-2). The following Symposium on Fisheries and Society - Social, Economic and Cultural Perspectives of Inland Fisheries was held in Budapest, Hungary, in June 2000.
In September 1998, the hoc Working Party on electric fishing held a meeting. During September 1999, meetings of the ad hoc Working Parties on Eel and on Health Management took place. An Executive Committee meeting was also held in Rome, 14-15 June 1999.
RECOFI (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Director-General on the basis of Resolution 1/117 adopted by the Council at its Hundred and Seventeenth Session (1999).
RECOFI in effect replaces in terms of geographical area the former Committee for the Development & Management of the Fisheries Resources of the Gulfs, a subsidiary body of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC), which was abolished by IOFC at its Eleventh Session in February 1999.
Purpose
To promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the area covered by the Commission. To this end, the Commission will keep under review the state of these resources including the abundance and the level of their exploitation, as well as the state of the fisheries based there, formulate and recommend appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources, and ensure the implementation of these recommendations; keep under review the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry and recommend any measures aimed at its development; encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake training and extension activities in all aspects of fisheries; encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake research and development activities including cooperative projects in the areas of fisheries and in the protection of living marine resources; assemble, publish and disseminate information regarding exploitable living marine resources and fisheries based on these resources; promote programmes on aquaculture and fish enhancement, and carry out such other activities as may be necessary to achieve these purposes.
First Session
Scheduled to be held during the biennium 2000-2001.
Membership
Open to all Members and Associate Members of FAO that are coastal Members or Associate Members situated mainly or partly within the area; Member Nations or Associate Members whose vessels are engaged in fishing in the area and regional economic integration organization of which any Member Nation referred to above is a Member and to which that Member Nation has transferred competence over matters within the purview of the Agreement establishing this Commission.
The present Membership is:
| Bahrain Iran, Islamic Republic of |
Iraq Kuwait Quatar |
Oman Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
United Arab Emirates |
Observers: GCC Secretaries, ROPME, ICLARM, AOAD, AFFP, KISR, BCSR,
King Abdel Aziz University
Working Languages
Arabic, English.
Rules of Procedure
To be adopted at the First Session of the Commission.
Subsidiary Bodies
The Commission may establish temporary, special or standing committees to study and report on matters pertaining to the purposes of the Commission and working groups to study and recommend on specific technical problems.
Achievement 1998-99
The agreement establishing the Commission will come into force as from the date of receipt by the Director-General of the third Instrument of Acceptance.
IOTC (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Conference at its Twenty-seventh Session (1993).
Purpose
To promote cooperation with a view to ensuring, through appropriate management, the conservation of optimum utilization of tuna and tuna-like species, to keep under review the conditions and trends of the stocks and to gather, analyse and disseminate scientific information, catch and effort statistics and other data relevant to the conservation and managagement of the stocks and to fisheries based on the stocks; to encourage, recommend and coordinate research and development activities in respect of the stock and fisheries, including activities connected with transfer of technology, training and enhacement; to adoption of conservation measures to ensure the conservation of stocks and to promote the objective of their optimum utilization; to keep under review the economic and social aspects of the fisheries based on the stocks, bearing in mind, in particular, the interests of developing coastal states.
First Session
December 1996.
Membership
Open to Members and Associate Members of FAO, or by a two-thirds majority of its Members, any other States that are not Members of FAO, but are Members of the United Nations, or of any of its Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that are: coastal Members or Associate Members situated wholly or partly within the Area; Members or Associate Members whose vessels engage in fishing in the Area for stocks covered by this Agreement; or regional economic integration organizations of which any State referred to in subparagraphs (i), or (ii) above is a member and to which that Member has transferred competence over matters within the purview of this Agreement.
The present Membership is:
| Australia China Eritrea European Community (Member Organization) |
France India Japan Korea, Republic of Madagascar |
Malaysia Mauritius Pakistan Seychelles Sri Lanka |
Sudan Thailand United Kingdom |
Working Languages
English, French.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the Second Session of the Commission (1997).
Pattern of Sessions
Annual.
Subsidiary Bodies
Permanent Scientific Committee. (FI-734 a) (English, French)
- Each Member of the Commission nominates a representative, and an alternate if needed. The representative may be accompanied by experts and advisers. The Commission may also invite experts in their individual capacity.
- The Commission may also establish Sub-Commissions to deal with one or more of the stocks covered by the Agreement establishing the Commission.
- Working Parties for Tagging, Data and Statistics, Tropical Tunas, Temperate Tunas, Neritic Tunas and Billfish.
Achievement 1998-99
The Secretariat of the Commission was established in Seychelles, staff was appointed and technical activities initiated. Two Scientific Committees and one Commission, as well as an Expert Consultation and two Working Party meetings were held in the biennium. The Commission each year adopted its budget and Scale of Contributions and resolutions were taken concerning notably: mandatory statistical reporting standards and data confidentiality policy and procedures; the management of fishing capacity and the reduction of catch of juvenile bigeye tunas; actions against activities by large-scale flag of convenience longline fishing vessels; the elaboration of a control and inspection scheme for IOTC; and the status of Cooperating non-Contracting Parties.
WECAFC (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Council at its Sixty-first Session (1973, Resolution 4/61).
Purpose
To assist in international co-operation efforts for the conservation, development and utilization of living resources, especially shrimp, of the Western Central Atlantic.
First Session
October 1975.
Membership
Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members, which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.
The present Membership is:
| Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Brazil Colombia Cuba Dominica |
France Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica |
Japan Korea, Republic of Mexico Netherlands Nicaragua Panama Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Spain Suriname Trinidad and Tobago United Kingdom United States of America Venezuela |
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1975). Amended at the Second Session (1978).
Pattern of Sessions
1975, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1999.
Subsidiary Bodies
Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Lesser Antilles (FI-766) (English, French) (1)
- Open to coastal states, Members of the Commission in the area.
Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) (SLAC-749)
- The SAG acts as an advisory body to the Commission and its ad hoc working groups. Members are experts (individuals serving in their personal capaciy) selected by the Director-General
Achievement 1998-99
The Ninth Session of the Commission (September 1999) abolished the Working Party on Assessment of Marine Fishery Resources and the Working Party on Fishery Economics and Planning. In abolishing these two Working Parties, the Commission made the following recommendations regarding the restructuring and mode of operation of WECAFC:
- Ad hoc Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf;
- Ad hoc Working Group on Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus;
- Ad hoc Working Group on Flyingfish.
With the focus on responsible fisheries, five sessions of its Working Groups were convened to increase knowledge on shrimp and ground-fish, flying fish and spiny lobster fisheries in the Region, and for training in tropical fish stock assessment. The working groups also proposed management options for those fisheries.
CECAF (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Council at its Forty-eighth Session (1967, Resolution 1/48), to replace the Regional Fisheries Commission for Western Africa (RFCWA) which had been abolished by the Conference at its Fourteenth Session (1967).
Purpose
The purpose of the Committee shall be to promote the optimum utilization of the living aquatic resources of the area defined under paragraph 1 above, by the proper management and development of the fisheries and fishing operations, the development of marine brackish water aquaculture and the improvement of related processing and marketing activities in conformity with the objectives of its Members.
a) to keep under review the state of these resources and of the industries based on them;
b) to promote the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis or study of statistical socio-economic, biological and environmental data and other marine fishery information;
c) to establish the scientific basis for regulatory measures leading to the conservation and management of marine fishery resources, to formulate such measures through Subsidiary Bodies, as required, and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
d) to encourage, recommend and coordinate training and extension activities in all aspects of marine fisheries;
e) to assist Member Governments in formulating programmes to be implemented through international aid sources to achieve the objectives described in (a), (b), (c), (d), above;
f) to keep under review the economic and social aspects of the marine fishing industry and of marine and brackish water aquaculture operations, and recommend any measures aimed at the development of that industry and those operations in order to ensure the contribution of the fishery to national, social and economic goals;
g) To promote and encourage the utilization of the most appropriate fishing craft, gear and techniques;
h) to promote and encourage in cooperation with other regional bodies, as appropriate, activities concerned with the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
i) to collaborate with Member Governments in formulating programmes to be implemented through local and/or external sources to help achieve objectives described in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above;
j) to promote liaison and cooperation among and with competent institutions within the sea served by the Committee, insofar as the Purpose Constitution, the General Rules, regulations and facilities of the Organization permit, and
k) to carry out such other activities as may be necessary for the Committee to achieve its purpose, as defined above.
New terms of reference were approved by the Hundred and Second Session of the Council (Rome, 9-20 November 1992).
First Session
March 1969.
Membership
Member Nations and Associate Members selected by the Director-General from among Member Nations and Associate Members in Africa whose territories border the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Spartel to the mouth of the Congo River, and those Member Nations and Associate Members fishing or conducting research in the sea area concerned or having some other interest in the fisheries thereof, whose contribution to the work of the Committee the Director-General deems to be essential or desirable.
The present Membership is:
| Benin Cameroon Cape Verde Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Cuba Equatorial Guinea European Community (Member Organization) |
France Gabon Gambia Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Italy Japan Korea, Republic of |
Liberia Mauritania Morocco Netherlands Nigeria Norway Poland Romania Sao Tome and Principe Senegal |
Sierra Leone Spain Togo United States of America |
Angola, Canada, Portugal, Russia and United Kingdom attend as observers.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1969) and amended at the Fifth Session (1977).
Pattern of Sessions
1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998.
Subsidiary Bodies
Scientific Sub-Committee on Fisheries Evaluation - RAFR-710 (English, French, Spanish)
- Open to all Members of CECAF whose territories border the Eastern Central Atlantic.
Achievement 1998-99
At its Fourteenth Session held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, from 6 to 9 September 1998, CECAF abolished all its four Subsidiary Bodies as per Conference Resolution 13/97, and agreed to have a simpler structure consisting of the Committee and a Scientific Sub-Committee (SSC) whose terms of reference and work programme for the intersessional period were elaborated. The Committee also agreed to progressively work towards the upgrading of the body to a Commission level under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution.
Despite the abolition of its Subsidiary Bodies, CECAF continued to monitor the state of marine fisheries resources in the Region through ad hoc Working Groups.
CIFA (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Council at its Fifty-sixth Session (1971, Resolution 1/56).
Purpose
To promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery surveys and research and development programmes designed to rationally utilize inland fishery resources; to assist Members in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures; to assist in the development of fish culture and stock improvement; to promote the use of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques; to encourage education and training; to assist Members in formulating programmes to help achieve the objectives referred to in the statutes.
First Session
November/December 1972.
Membership
Membership consists of African Members and Associate Members selected by the Director-General on the basis of their active interest in inland fishery development in Africa and of their potential contribution to the effective discharge of the functions of the Committee.
The present Membership is:
| Benin | Côte d'Ivoire | Lesotho | Sierra Leone |
| Botswana | Egypt | Madagascar | Somalia |
| Burkina Faso | Eritrea | Malawi | Sudan |
| Burundi | Ethiopia | Mali | Swaziland |
| Cameroon | Gabon | Mauritius | Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Central African Republic | Gambia | Niger | Uganda |
| Chad | Ghana | Nigeria | Zambia |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of | Guinea | Rwanda | Zimbabwe |
| Congo, Republic of | Kenya | Senegal |
United Kingdom attends as an observer.
Working Languages
English, French.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1972) and amended at its Third (1977) and Fifth (1983) Sessions.
Pattern of Sessions
1972, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994 and 1997.
Subsidiary Bodies
In line with FAO Conference Resolution 13/97, at its Tenth Session in 1997, CIFA abolished five of its seven Subsidiary Bodies, leaving the two below:
Sub-Committee for the Protection and Development of the Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone
(FI-787) (English, French) (1)
- Sahelian Nations who are Members of CIFA (Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal) and other Nations whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the Sahelian Zone.
Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika (FI-712) (English, French) (1)
- Member Nations of CIFA surrounding Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, United Republic of Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia).
Achievement 1998-99
Provided the major forum for consultations and exchange of experiences on inland fisheries in the Sub-Saharan Africa; promoted development of aquaculture and continued to encourage the creation of an autonomous body to manage the fisheries resources of Lake Tanganyika (similar to the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization).
No Session of CIFA was held in the 1998-99 biennium. However, at its Eighth Session, the CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika adopted a Framework Fisheries Management Plan (FFMP) and an outline programme for its implementation. The Sub-Committee also adopted new terms of reference at the Eighth Session.
ACFR (Cat. 3)
Origin
Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961) as the Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research (ACMRR). Statutes revised by the Council in 1993 to change name to ACFR and amend the scope and terms of reference.
Purpose
To study and advise the Director-General on the formulation and execution of the Organization's work in respect of all aspects of fisheries research, including conservation and management of marine and inland fishery resources, increasing fish productivity through enhancement of wild resources and through aquaculture, improving the means of converting fishery resources into human food and study the dynamics of fishing communities and the socio-economic consequences of Government fishery policies. Special attention is provided to the fisheries aspects of oceanographic research and to the impacts of environmental change on the sustainability of fisheries. By agreement with the Director-General and in accordance with Resolution 15, adopted at the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco, the Committee also acts as the Advisory Body to that Commission on the fisheries aspects of oceanography.
First Session
1997.
Membership
Composed of not more than thirteen fisheries experts appointed in their personal capacity by the Director-General of FAO. When acting as Advisory Body to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, following consultations between FAO and IOC, the Director-General may, on the basis of the recommendations by the Bureau of IOC, appoint one or two additional Members in accordance with Resolution 15.
Working Language
English.
Rules of Procedure
Adopted at the First Session (1963), revised at the Eleventh Session (1985). Revised by the Council in 1993 to make them more comprehensive, extended to cover inland fisheries as well as marine resources.
Pattern of Sessions
1997, 1999. Proposed Third Session in 2000 and thereafter biennially.
Subsidiary Bodies
To be established as and when required, subject to the availability of funds.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee examined its work since the First Session, undertook an appraisal of FAO's fisheries research-related programmes and elaborated the Committee's work for the intersessional period (1999-2000). The Committee emphasized the importance of establishing an international Plan of Action for Status and Trends Reporting in Fisheries as a means for enhancing advice to the Director-General and the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the most up-to-date and accurate view of the prospects for maintaining or enhancing fish production.
CWP (Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the Conference at its Tenth Session (1959, Resolution 23/59) as a "Continuing Working Party on Fishery Statistics in the North Atlantic Area". The Council, at its Fifty-first Session (1968, Resolution 1/51) altered the title to Coordinating Working Party on Atlantic Fishery Statistics. The Council, at its Hundred and Eighth Session (1995), amended the title to that above and revised the statutes.
Purpose
The Coordinating Working Party on Fisheries Statistics (CWP) has as its purpose to (i) keep under continuous review the requirements for fishery statistics for research, policy-making and management, (ii) agree standard concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies for the collection and collation of fishery statistics, and (iii) make proposals for the coordination and streamlining of statistical activities amongst relevant intergovernmental organizations.
First Session
May 1960.
Membership
Composed of experts nominated by intergovernmental organizations which have a competence in fishery statistics. The following shall be the participating organizations initially:
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Commission for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
South Pacific Commission (SPC)
Statistical Office of the European Communities (EU/Eurostat)
Participating organizations may admit other intergovernmental organizations having competence in fishery statistics. Participating organizations may withdraw from the Working Party.
Each of the participating organizations may nominate up to five experts in accordance with their respective internal procedures.
Working Language
English.
Rules of Procedure
The Working Party adopted new Rules of Procedure at its Sixteenth Session in 1995.
Pattern of Sessions
1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
During the period under review, the CWP continued its work of coordinating fishery statistical programmes amongst the participating organizations and developing norms and standards for international fishery statistics, both at the Eighteenth Session and through intersessional activities. In particular, refined criteria were adopted for assigning nationality to catches, reiterating the principle that the primary responsibility for reporting catch data rests on the Flag State. Recommendations were also made on implementation of the recently-published Guidelines for the Routine Collection of Capture Fishery Data, on fishery commodity classifications for international trade, on boundary modifications to major statistical areas, on standard formats for reporting fishing activity and catch data through Vessel Monitoring Systems and on statistics dissemination policies and practices. Inter-sessional activities focussed on the elimination of discrepancies amongst agency databases by agreed adoption of the most reliable data. Two organizations, CCSBT and IOTC, joined the CWP during the biennium.
FAO/WHO/NU (Cat. 3)
Origin
Established in 1948.
Purpose
Originally established to ensure collaboration in those fields of nutrition with which FAO and WHO are mutually concerned. Now especially concerned with nutritional problems of interest to both organizations.
First Session
December 1949.
Membership
10 - 12 experts.
Working Language
English.
Rules of Procedure
General Rules of the Organization.
Pattern of Sessions
1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1990.
Achievement 1998-99
No session was held during the biennium.
FAO/WHO/FA (Cat. 3)
Origin
Established in 1955.
Purpose
To consider chemical, toxicological and other aspects of additives, contaminants and residues of veterinary drugs in food related to safety for human consumption and to report thereon.
First Session
December 1956.
Membership
15 - 25 experts covering all aspects relevant to the safety evaluation of the substances.
Working Language
English.
Rules of Procedure
General Rules of the Organization.
Pattern of Sessions
Annual. (Four sessions were held in the 1996-97 biennium).
Achievement 1998-99
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives provides scientific guidance to the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants and the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food. The 51st and 53rd JECFA assessed over 500 food additives, including approximately 435 flavoring agents and three contaminants - lead, methylmercury and zearalenone-and conducted intake assessment on five specific food additives. They updated principles governing the establishment and revision of specifications for: establishing ADIs, microbiological criteria for food additives, flavoring agents, vitamins and minerals, enzyme preparations from genetically-modified organisms, and the heavy metals limit tests. They evaluated the safety-in-use of substances used as food additives of enzyme preparations, flavoring agents, food colors, glazing agents, preservatives, sweetening agents, thickening agents and miscellaneous food additives, and published new or revised identity and purity specifications for the additives evaluated. They reviewed a WHO Expert Report on the scientific criteria for including and/or excluding specific food and food products as food allergens at the request of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, and considered allergenicity of peanut and soya bean oils. Two monographs were prepared on specifications of the food additives evaluated.
The 50th and 52nd JECFA evaluated 29 veterinary drugs, eight for the first time. Drugs evaluated included beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, anthelminthic agents, antimicrobial agents, antiprotozoal agents, glucocorticosteroids, insecticides used as veterinary drugs, animal production aids as well as tranquilizing agents. They established 16 acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), including two group ADIs and one acute reference dose (RfD). For one substance, an ADI "not specified" was allocated. They recommended 175 maximum residue limits (MRLs), 23 new temporary MRLs, and did not extend 9 temporary MRLs. Two residue monographs for residues of veterinary drugs in food were published.
ALINORM (Cat. 1)
Origin
The Codex Alimentarius Commission was established by the Eleventh Session of the FAO Conference in 1961. Following the recommendations of the FAO Conference, those of the Twenty-ninth Session of the WHO Executive Board and a Joint FAO/WHO Executive Board and a Joint FAO/WHO Conference on Food Standards held in 1962, the Commission has been responsible for the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
Purpose
The Commission is responsible for making proposals to, and shall be consulted by, the Directors-General of FAO and WHO on all matters pertaining to the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, the purpose of which is:
First Session
June/July 1963.
Membership
Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO and WHO which are interested in international food standards. Membership comprises those nations which have notified the Director-General of FAO or of WHO of their wish to be considered as Members of the Commission. The present Membership is:
| Albania | Dominican Republic | Lebanon | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Algeria | Ecuador | Lesotho | Saint Lucia |
| Angola | Egypt | Liberia | Samoa |
| Antigua and Barbuda | El Salvador | Libya | Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
| Argentina | Equatorial Guinea | Lithuania | Senegal |
| Armenia | Eritrea | Luxembourg | Seychelles |
| Australia | Estonia | Madagascar | Sierra Leone |
| Austria | Ethiopia | Malawi | Singapore |
| Bahrain | Fiji | Malaysia | Slovakia |
| Bangladesh | Finland | Malta | Slovenia |
| Barbados | France | Mauritania | Solomon Islands |
| Belgium | Gabon | Mauritius | South Africa |
| Belize | Gambia | Mexico | Spain |
| Benin | Georgia | Micronesia, Federated States of | Sri Lanka |
| Bhutan | Germany | Moldova, Republic of | Sudan |
| Bolivia | Ghana | Mongolia | Suriname |
| Botswana | Greece | Morocco | Swaziland |
| Brazil | Grenada | Mozambique | Sweden |
| Brunei Darussalam | Guatemala | Myanmar | Switzerland |
| Bulgaria | Guinea | Namibia | Syria |
| Burkina Faso | Guinea-Bissau | Nepal | Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Burundi | Guyana | Netherlands | Thailand |
| Cambodia | Haiti | New Zealand | The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |
| Cameroon | Honduras | Nicaragua | Togo |
| Canada | Hungary | Niger | Tonga |
| Cape Verde | Iceland | Nigeria | Trinidad and |
| Central African Republic | India | Norway | Tobago |
| Chad | Indonesia | Oman | Tunisia |
| Chile | Iran, Islamic Republic of | Pakistan | Turkey |
| China | Iraq | Panama | Uganda |
| Colombia | Ireland | Papua New | United Arab |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of | Israel | Guinea | Emirates |
| Congo, Republic of | Italy | Paraguay | United Kingdom |
| Cook Islands | Jamaica | Peru | United States of America |
| Costa Rica | Japan | Philippines | Uruguay |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Jordan | Poland | Vanuatu |
| Croatia | Kenya | Portugal | Venezuela |
| Cuba | Kiribati | Qatar | Viet Nam |
| Cyprus | Korea, Republic of | Romania | Yemen |
| Czech Republic | Kuwait | Russian | Yugoslavia |
| Korea, Democratic People's Republic of | Lao People's Democratic Republic | Federation | Zambia |
| Denmark | Latvia | Rwanda | Zimbabwe |
| Dominica |
Working Languages
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish.
Rules of Procedure
Amendments were adopted by the Commission at the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 21st and 23nd sessions and confirmed by the FAO and WHO in accordance with their respective procedures. The Rules of Procedure of the Commission are issued in its Procedural Manual.
Pattern of Sessions
Rule IV-1 requires that in principle one regular session be held each year. In practice the Commission meets every 24 months. The last session was held in June 1999.
Subsidiary Bodies
See pages 68 to 89.
Achievement 1998-99
The Commission adopted new Rules of Procedure to emphasize the consensus nature of its decision-making process; to provide for the separate recognition of the Near East Region; and to adjust the role of Regional Codex Coordinators. It established three new ad hoc Task Forces on Foods derived from Biotechnology, Animal Feeding, and Fruit and Vegetable Juices. It abolished a three inactive Codex Committees. It adopted a Medium-Term Plan to 2002 and began the process of prepared a Plan for 2003 -2007. It established principles concerning the participation of international non-governmental organizations in its work. The Commission adopted 31 new or revised Codex standards, guidelines or related texts including the Guidelines on the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organic Foods; amended 5 existing standards; approved conditions for the use in foods of 46 food additives; adopted 358 specifications for the identity and purity of food additives; adopted 374 individual maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals, and withdrew 27 standards and 252 maximum residue limits as being either obsolete or superseded by newer recommendations.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Established under Rule III of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
To act on behalf of the Commission as its executive organ and to make proposals to the Commission regarding the general orientation and work programme of the Commission; to study special problems and help implement the programme as approved by the Commission.
First Session
July 1963.
Membership
The Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons of the Commission and seven additional Members, elected by the Commission from among its Members, one each from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Near East, North America and the Southwest Pacific Regions.
Working Languages
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish as required by the Membership.
Pattern of Sessions
Two per 18 to 24 months. Last session was held in June 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Made proposals to the Codex Alimentarius Commission regarding the languages to be used by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme; drafted the Medium-Term Plan 1998-2002 for adoption by the Commission; made recommendations concerning the work of the Commission in the area of new foods and biotechnology, and assisted in the execution of the Commission's programme of work.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Formerly the FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles
concerning Milk and Milk Products. The Committee was established before the Codex
Alimentarius Commission came into being, but was subsequently integrated into the
structure of the Commission. In 1993, the Committee was converted into a Codex Committee
under
Rule IX-1(b)(i) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host
Government: New Zealand.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards, codes and related texts for milk and milk products.
First Session
September 1958 as the FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk Products. First meeting in Rome, 28 November to 2 December 1994 as CCMMP.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 18 months. Last session was held in May 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Recommended eight revised standards and one new standard for milk products. It considered other standards and other matters related to milk products involved in international trade.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1(b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Netherlands.
Purpose
First Session
May 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 - 18 months from 1964-1987 and every 12 months from 1988 up to now. Last session was held in March 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Continued the elaboration of the Codex General Standards for Food Additives and for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods; proposed draft maximum levels for aflatoxins M1 in milk and peanuts and for various codes of practice and guidelines regarding the contamination of foodstuffs by environmental and other chemical contaminants.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (a) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United States of America.
Purpose
First Session
May 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Every 12 to 18 months. Last session held in October 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee finalized and advanced for adoption the Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment, the Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Bottled/Packed Drinking Waters (Other than Natural Mineral Waters); and the Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for the Transport of Foodstuffs in Bulk and Semi-Packed Foodstuffs. The Committee also finalized the Amendment to Recommended International Code of Practice - General Principles of Food Hygiene dealing with rinsing and disinfection. The Committee identified and agreed on the priorities to be considered by the ad hoc Expert Consultation on Microbiological hazards in Foods and suggested that a FAO/WHO Expert Consultation review and summarize national and regional risk assessment and other relevant data.
The Committee continued its work on the Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products; and the Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Management as well as on two codes for pre-cut fresh fruits and vegetables and its produce. It also agreed to identify the issues involved in elaborating appropriate guidance on the application of HACCP principles in redrafting the Discussion Paper on the Application of HACCP in Small and/or Less Developed Businesses and circulate it for further comments and agreed to proceed with the issue on Listeria in two ways: refer it to the Expert Consultation on Assessment of Microbiological Hazards in Food and develop the Proposed Drafts Guidelines for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods.
The Committee agreed to proceed with the elaboration and further consideration of the Proposed Draft Guidelines for Hygienic Recycling of Processing Water in Food Plants; and agreed to prepare a document on priorities that would identify which codes are superseded by the Code on General Principles of Food Hygiene and which codes can be combined while revising them.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Canada.
Purpose
To draft provisions on labelling applicable to all foods; to consider, amend if necessary, and endorse specific provisions on labelling proposed by the Codex Commodity Committees drafting commodity standards, in the codes of practices and in the guidelines; to study specific labelling problems assigned by the Commission; and to study problems in food advertisement, especially those dealing with claims and misleading descriptions.
First Session
September 1965.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Every 12 to 24 months. Last session was held in April 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Finalized Guidelines for the Production, Processing and Marketing of Organically-Produced Foods (except sections for livestock production) and the amendments to the General Standard for the Labelling Prepackaged Foods (Foods than can cause hypersensitivity and composite ingredients). Continued revision and endorsement of labelling provisions in individual standards, Codes of Practice and Guidelines. Considered the labelling aspects of potential allergens, and foods obtained through biotechnology.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: France.
Purpose
To deal with such procedural and general matters as are referred to the Committee by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
First Session
May 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
1965, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999. The Committee meets when there are problems referred to it by the Commission. Last session met in April 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee agreed on a number of amendments to the Procedural Manual namely: Rule X of the Rules of Procedure to extend its scope to the adoption of standards and stress the importance of adopting standards by consensus, the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities, the Establishment of Subsidiary Bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food Hygiene Provisions in the Relations between Commodity Committees and General Subject Committees, and the Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products. It revised definitions for Risk Communication and Risk Management in the Procedural Manual and agreed on the inclusion of additional sections regarding Principles concerning the Participation of INGOs in the Work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Core Functions of Codex Contact Points in the Procedural Manual. It continued discussions on measures intended to facilitate consensus, food safety objectives and the role of science and other legitimate factors in relation to risk analysis.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Germany (1965-1971), Hungary since 1972.
Purpose
First Session
September 1965.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 24 months. Last session was held in November 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Considered criteria basic approach for selecting methods, measurement of uncertainty and laboratory method validation. Endorsed a number of methods of analysis for Codex commodity standards.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Netherlands.
Purpose
To recommend maximum limits for pesticide residues and environmental and industrial contaminants in specific food products and in certain animal feeding stuffs; to prepare a list of priorities of those pesticide residues found in food commodities on the international market for evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues; to recommend appropriate methods of sampling and analysis for the determination of pesticides residues in food and feed to ensure the safety of food containing residues.
First Session
January 1966.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Every 12 months. Last session was held in April 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Recommended 221 maximum residue limits for pesticides in certain raw agricultural commodities and the revised methods for sampling for determination of pesticides residues. Recommended obsolete maximum residue limits for revocation.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Switzerland.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for cocoa products and chocolate.
First Session
November 1963.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Committee adjourned sine die in 1983. Reactived in 1996. Last session was held in November 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Continued its work on the Proposed Draft Standard for Chocolate and Chocolate Products and other th
ree Proposed Draft Revised Standards for Cocoa Products in order to simplify them as much as possible.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United Kingdom.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards of all types of sugars and sugar products.
First Session
March 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Annual to 1968, then 1974. Committee adjourned sine die in 1978, but continues to work by correspondence.
Achievement 1998-99
Recommended a new General Standard for Sugars to replace the old individual standards for sugars. Considered the revision of the Standard for Honey.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United States of America.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for all types of processed fruits and vegetables, including dried products, except for dried prunes, and fruit and vegetable juices.
First Session
May 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 to 24 months. Committee adjourned sine die in 1987. Reactived in 1998. Last session was held in March 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Considered the revision of the existing standards for processed fruits and vegetables with a view to elaborating more general standards on these products.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United Kingdom.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable and marine origin including margarine and olive oil.
First Session
February 1964.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 months. After being last adjourned in February 1987, met again in 1993 and 1996. Last session was held in March 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee revised the Code of Practice for the Transport of Fats and Oils in Bulk and the Standard for Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards. It also elaborated and advanced for final adoption the Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils and Draft Standard for Named Animal Fats; and continued its work on the Draft Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils and on the Proposed Draft Standard for Fats Spreads. The Committee initiated elaboration of Lists of Acceptable and Banned Previous Cargoes, to be included in the Code of Practice for the Transport of Fats and Oils in Bulk and the Amendment to the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: High Oleic Acid Sunflower Oil and High Oleic Acid Safflower Oil.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1(b)(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: New Zealand (sessions held in London or in Rome).
Purpose
To elaborate world-wide standards and/or codes of practice as may seem appropriate for meat hygiene, excluding poultry meat.
First Session
April 1972.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 18 months until 1974. Reactivated in 1979 and adjourned sine die in 1982. Reactivated again in July 1989. Last session was held in April 1993. Adjourned sine die the same year.
Achievement 1998-99
This Committee did not meet during the biennium.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Norway.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for fresh, frozen (including quick-frozen) or otherwise processed fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
First Session
August/September 1966.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 to 24 months. Last session was held in June 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee elaborated and advanced to final adoption the Draft Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of Fish and Shellfish in Laboratories; and continued the revision of the Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products, which incorporates 14 codes of practice in the Fish and Fishery Products sector and the standard for Salted Herring and Salted Sprats. It also initiated elaboration of a model certificate for fish and fishery products and the standard for molluscan shellfish and smoked fish.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (a) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Germany.
Formerly the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses (1966-1987)
Purpose
First Session
May 1966.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, German.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 24 months. Last session was held in September 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Continued its work on Standard for Cereal-Based Foods and the Standard for Infant Formula, and work on vitamins and minerals in foods for medical purposes and on Guidelines for Vitamins and Minerals; continued work on the review of provisions for vitamins and minerals in Codex standards; finalized a Revised Table containing provisions on Protein and Vitamins and Minerals of Proposed Conditions for Claims for Nutrient Contents (as part of the proposed draft guidelines on Nutrition and Health Claims for Food-Labelling); continued work on the revision of the Standard for Gluten-Free Foods, and initiated the revision of the Advising Lists of mineral salts and vitamin compounds for the use in Food for Infants and Children.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Switzerland.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for soups, broths, bouillons and consommés.
First Session
November 1975.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French.
Pattern of Sessions
Two sessions in 1975 and 1977. Committee adjourned sine die in 1978. Present work is carried out by correspondence.
Achievement 1998-99
Continued the revision of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (i) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Switzerland. The Committee was established by the Commission as a Regional (European) Codex Committee.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards for natural mineral waters.
First Session
February 1966.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1996. Last session was held in November 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee continued its work on the Proposed Draft General Standard for Packaged/Bottled Waters other than Natural Mineral Waters.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1(b) (ii) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
The Committee (a) defines the problems and needs of the Regions concerning food standards and food control; (b) promotes within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control infrastructures; (c) recommends to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the Region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future; (d) develops regional standards for food products moving exclusively or almost exclusively in intra-regional trade; (e) draws the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the Region; (f) promotes coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the Region; (g) exercises a general coordinating role for the Region and such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission; (h) promotes the acceptance of Codex standards and maximum limits for residues by Member Nations.
First Session
June 1974.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission within the geographical location of Africa.
Working Languages
Arabic, English, French.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Last session was held in November 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
The Committee revised the Guidelines for the Design of Control Measures for Street-Vended Foods in Africa. Identified the major difficulties faced by African countries in relation to food trade and agreed to continue discussing these issues at the next session, and proposed that Member Nations, including developing ones, could contribute to the process of risk analysis by undertaking exposure assessments based on national dietary patters. The Committee also proposed the elaboration of a Standard for Dried Figs.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (ii) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
The Committee (a) defines the problems and needs of Regions concerning food standards and food control; (b) promotes within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control infrastructures; (c) recommends to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the Region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future; (d) develops regional standards for food products marketed exclusively or almost exclusively through intra-regional trade; (e) draws the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the Region; (f) promotes coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the Region; (g) exercises a general coordinating role for the Region and such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission, and (h) promotes the acceptance of Codex standards and maximum limits for residues by Member Nations.
First Session
January 1977.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission within the geographical location of Asia.
Working Languages
English, French.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Last session was held in December 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Continued the exchange of information on regional food control infrastructures, food import and export, technical cooperation, implementation of HACCP and risk analysis and mutual recognition agreements. Finalized the regional guidelines for Codex contact points and National Codex Committees. Elaborated standard for aqueous coconut products.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
The Committee (a) defines the problems and needs of the Region concerning food standards and food control; (b) promotes within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control infrastructures; (c) recommends to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the Region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future; (d) develops regional standards for food products marketed exclusively or almost exclusively through intra-regional trade; (e) draws the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the Region; (f) promotes coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the Region; (g) exercises a general coordinating role for the Region and such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission, and (h) promotes the acceptance of Codex Standards and maximum limits for residues by Member Nations.
First Session
March 1976.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission within the geographical location of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Working Languages
English, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Last session was held in December 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Considered import/export matters of interest to the Region, acceptance and use of standards, consumer protection programmes, activities related to the control of contamination, the activities related to Codex work and consumer participation and continued the revision of the Regional Code of Practice for the Preparation and Sale of Street-Vended Foods.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
The Committee (a) defines the problems and needs of the Region concerning food standards and food control; (b) promotes within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control infrastructures; (c) recommends to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the Region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future; (d) develops regional standards for food products marketed exclusively or almost exclusively through intra-regional trade; (e) draws the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the Region; (f) promotes coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the Region; (g) exercises a general coordinating role for the Region and such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission, and (h) promotes the acceptance of Codex Standards and maximum limits for residues by Member Nations.
First Session
July 1965.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission within the geographical location of Europe, including Israel, Turkey and the Russian Federation.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish (as required).
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Last session was held in May 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Considered matters relating to information exchange on food legislation and food control, as well as import/export matters and regional economic integration. Agreed to update information regularly on national food control authorities and to pursue technical assistance and training in the Region. Considered how consumer participation could be improved at the national and regional levels. Initiated the revision of Regional Standards for Mayonnaise and Vinegar.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Purpose
The Committee (a) defines the problems and needs of the Region concerning food standards and food control; (b) promotes within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control infrastructures; (c) recommends to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the Region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future; (d) develops regional standards for food products marketed exclusively or almost exclusively through intra-regional trade; (e) draws the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the Region; (f) promotes coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the Region; (g) exercises a general coordinating role for the Region and such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission, and (h) promotes the acceptance of Codex Standards and maximum limits for residues by Member Nations.
First Session
May 1990.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission within the geographical location of North America and the Southwest Pacific.
Working Languages
English, French.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every two years. Last session was held in October 1998.
Achievement 1998-99
Supported the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Body on the microbiological aspects of food safety, the development of a general Standard for foods developed through biotechnology to address food safety and nutrition issues surrounding these products, the development of "Core Functions" of national Codex Contact Points by the Codex Committee on General Principles and the elaboration of an introductory narrative on risk analysis in the Codex system. Urged caution in relation to the inclusion of reference to the application of the "precautionary principle" in Codex.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1(b)(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United States of America.
Purpose
To elaborate worldwide standards and/or codes of practice, as may be appropriate, for cereals, pulses, legumes and their products.
First Session
March 1980.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Session
Approximately every 18 - 24 months. Committee adjourned sine die at its last session in November 1994.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Canada.
Purpose
To elaborate definitions and worldwide standards for vegetable protein products derived from soybeans, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources used for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety, on labelling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.
First Session
November 1980.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 24 months. The Committee has adjourned sine die after its last session held in February 1989.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: United States of America.
Purpose
To determine priorities for the consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in foods; to recommend maximum levels of such substances; to develop Codes of Practice as may be required; to determine criteria for analytical methods used for the control of veterinary drug residues in foods.
First Session
October 1996.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 months. Last session was held in September 1998.
Achievement 1996-97
Recommended Maximum Residue Limits for 141 veterinary drugs in foods. Considered risk analysis, injection site residues and matters related to methods of analysis.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1 (b) (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Mexico.
Purpose
First Session
June 1988.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 18 months. Last session was held in March 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Finalized draft Codex Standards for grapefruits and longans, proposed draft Codex Standards for yellow pitahayas and tiquisque (white and lilac) and the revision of the Codex Standards for pineapples and papayas. Continued the elaboration of Codex Standards for oranges, asparagus, cape gooseberry and a Code of Practice for Quality Inspection and Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Continued to discuss sections on sizing and maturity requirements in Codex Standards for limes, pummelos, grapefruits and oranges. Initiated work in the standardization of apples, tomatoes and table grapes.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Rule IX-1(b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Host Government: Australia
Purpose
First Session
September 1992.
Membership
Open to all Members of the Commission.
Working Languages
English, French, Spanish.
Pattern of Sessions
Approximately every 12 months. Last session was held in February 1999.
Achievement 1998-99
Finalized draft Guidelines for the Development of Equivalence Agreements regarding Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems. Initiated the elaboration of proposed Draft Guidelines/Recommendations for Food Import Control, proposed draft Guidelines and Criteria for Official Certificate Formats and Rules relating to the Production and Issuance of Certificates, proposed Draft Guidelines for the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems and Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Utilization of and Promotion of Quality Assurance Systems.
(Cat. 1)
Origin
Established by the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (1999).
Purpose
First Session
1st Session, Cairo, 29 January - 1 February 2001.
Membership
Membership of the Committee is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO and/or WHO that are members of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, within the geographic locations of the Near East as defined by FAO or the Eastern Mediterranean by WHO.
Working Languages
Arabic, English, French.
Pattern of Sessions
Still to be decided.
Achievement 1998-99
The Commission has just been recently created and will not meet until next biennium.
5 Quality assurance means all those planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a product or service will satisfy given requirements for qquality, (ISO-8402 Quality Vocabulary)
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