115. The Commission had before it document ALINORM 81/7, entitled as above, which had been requested by the Commission at its 13th Session. The report was introduced by the consultant (Prof. R.J.L. Allen, United Kingdom), who had drawn it up, in accordance with terms of reference laid down by the Executive Committee at its 27th Session (ALINORM 81/3, para. 29).
116. The report had been reviewed by the Executive Committee at its 28th Session. The Executive Committee had expressed the view that the report constituted an excellent basis for a full discussion by the Commission of this important subject. The Executive Committee had noted that the consultant was of the opinion that the Commission and its subsidiary bodies had given due attention to nutritional aspects of their activities and that no radical changes were called for.
117. The consultant had made a series of recommendations in paragraphs 36 to 50 of his report concerning future activities. In the report the consultant had raised the question of the possibility of reviving the idea of a “general standard”. The Commission noted that the Executive Committee had recommended that the matter of a “general standard” should not be revived, as much had been achieved in this area by the work of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling and the FAO/WHO Model Food Law. The Executive Committee had agreed to recommend to the Commission that the matter of the general standard should continue to be left in abeyance. The Executive Committee had also expressed its full agreement with the consultant's conclusions in paragraph 52 of the report regarding the value and limitations of food standards, and considered that these had been placed in their proper context regarding nutrition.
118. In introducing the report the consultant outlined its main features. He briefly reviewed the analysis in the report of the work of each of the Commission's subsidiary bodies and the extent to which nutritional considerations figured in this work. He indicated that this analysis had led him to conclude that the past and present work of the Commission had had and was continuing to have a considerable nutritional impact (paragraph 35 of the consultant's report). He drew particular attention to the role which, in his opinion, the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses could play in any increased emphasis by the Commission on nutrition in its programme of work. The consultant had, therefore, suggested widened terms of reference for that Committee. The report also contained sections on other topics such as fortification of foods and recommendations concerning collaboration with other FAO and WHO units. The consultant concluded his introductory remarks by drawing the Commission's attention to the conclusions and recommendations contained in paragraphs 53 to 55 of his report.
119. The Secretariat drew attention to a document which was circulated as a Conference Room Document and which was referenced as LIM 2. This document contained a report on a Workshop on “Nutritional Quality in Food Standards and Guidelines”, which had been held in London from 18 to 20 May 1981. The Workshop had been organized by the Committee on Food Standards of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences. There were some references in the report of the Workshop to the subject of nutrition and the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The purpose of the report of the Workshop was to emphasize the importance of nutritional considerations in food standards work.
120. All delegations that spoke on this subject congratulated the consultant for the excellence of his paper. The Delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany, which hosts the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses, was of the opinion that the consultant's paper and the recommendations therein should be considered in the first instance by the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses, which would be asked for example, for its views on the proposed new title and extended terms of reference for the Committee. In this way the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses would be able to report on these matters as well as on the implications for new work for the Committee to the Commission at its 15th Session. The Delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany also drew attention to the recommendation in the consultant's report that it would be desirable to hold annual meetings of the Committee to accommodate the expected new work. The delegation stated that for financial reasons it was not possible at this time for the authorities concerned in the Federal Republic of Germany to indicate whether it would be feasible to increase the frequency of Committee sessions. Moreover the reference to the creation of a Working Group on Nutrition as part of the Committee could also have financial and other implications. The delegation reminded the Commission that the Committee still had a heavy programme of work before it under its existing terms of reference. If the Committee were to undertake the new work proposed for it, it would need to re-arrange its existing order of priorities and presumably ascribe a certain priority to the proposed new subjects. The Delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany concluded by suggesting that consideration might also be given to the Commission to the establishment of a new committee to deal specifically with nutrition questions.
121. Concerning the titles of subsidiary bodies, their terms of reference and scope of activities, most members emphasized that it was the responsibility of the Commission to decide on these. The Commission, however, concluded as follows:
The Commission considered that nutrition considerations had not been neglected in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission; on the contrary the past and present work of the Commission had had and was continuing to have a considerable nutritional impact. No radical change was necessary, therefore, in the Commission's programme of work.
The Commission agreed with the overall philosophy and recommendations in the consultant's report.
The Commission agreed with the Executive Committee that the idea of a “general standard” should not be pursued.
The Commission agreed in principle with the proposed new terms of reference for the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses, but wished to have the views of the Committee itself on these before finalization of them by the Commission at its 15th Session.
The Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses should report to the next session of the Commission on the extent to which it could undertake the wider responsibilities proposed for it in the consultant's paper, and on what would be a feasible time-scale for dealing with the work arising from the proposed additional responsibilities.
The Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses should report on methods of operating within the proposed new terms of reference.
The Commission endorsed the recommendations concerning continued support from the units concerned in FAO, WHO and the UN System in the nutrition field.
The Commission agreed with the views expressed in paragraphs 51 and 52 of the consultant's report concerning the value and limitation of food standards in relation to nutrition policy.
The Secretariat should consult with the Host Government (Federal Republic of Germany) concerning any organizational and administrative questions which might need to be discussed before the next session of the Committee.
The Commission agreed that the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses would not be an endorsing Committee in the full sense. It was not the intention that the Committee should automatically scrutinize every standard or draft standard. It would be a matter for each Committee developing standards to decide for itself whether to refer any or all of its standards to the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses for endorsement on nutrition matters, aided, if necessary, by guidelines which might be developed by the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses.
122. The Commission had before it document ALINORM 81/8 and Addendum on the above topic. The Commission noted that the Executive Committee, at its 28th Session had considered these documents and had expressed its general agreement with the analysis of the work of the Commission's subsidiary bodies which had been made by the Secretariat.
123. The Delegation of the United States stated that in its view the work of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables and of the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate was nearing completion and that these Committees should soon be asked to consider adjourning sine die. The Delegation of the United States also expressed the view that if the Commission were to decide that international standards should be elaborated for pulses, the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products would, for the foregoing reason, be a more appropriate committee to undertake this task. The Delegation of the United States considered that the Commission should keep in mind the need to review, from time to time, the work of all of its subsidiary bodies with a view to determining which of them could soon be expected to adjourn sine die, in order to free resources for other subjects of interest to the Membership of the Commission.
124. The Delegation of Australia was of the opinion that the Codex Committees on Cocoa Products and Chocolate, Fats and Oils, and Meat Hygiene as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Experts on Milk and Milk Products, should be in a position before very long to adjourn sine die. Later on the Codex Committees on Fish and Fishery Products and on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, as well as the Joint ECE/Codex Group of Experts on Fruit Juices, should also be able to adjourn sine die. The Delegation of Australia thought that the Commission should issue a general directive that the subsidiary bodies of the Commission should keep their work programmes under a constant review and make recommendations to the Commission for possible adjournment sine die, when their work programmes were nearing completion.
125. The Delegation of New Zealand indicated that it was in agreement with the comments of Australia and expressed the opinion that the Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products should be able to adjourn before very long. The Delegation of New Zealand stressed the importance for Committees to take account of the work priorities criteria.
126. The Delegation of the United Kingdom stated that it was in agreement with much of what had been said concerning the need for Committees to think in terms of adjourning when their programmes of work had been completed. The Delegation indicated that the United Kingdom Secretariat would be examining the work of the Committee on Fats and Oils, which was hosted by the United Kingdom, with a view to seeing when it might be appropriate for that Committee to consider adjournment sine die.
127. The Delegation of Canada was of the opinion that the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Cocoa Products and Chocolate, and the ECE/Codex Group of Experts on Fruit Juices should soon consider adjourning sine die. On the question of the development of any standards for pulses, the Delegation of Canada agreed with the Delegation of the United States that the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products would be the appropriate Committee to undertake this work.
128. Referring to the Timetable of Codex Sessions (1982/83), the Delegation of the Netherlands drew attention to the fact that there would be a period of two years elapsing between the 14th and 15th Sessions of the Commission. In response, the Secretariat indicated that there were financial constraints which had to be taken account of, and also that it was necessary to leave a reasonable period of time between sessions of subsidiary bodies and the session of the Commission to which they would report. The Delegation of the Netherlands asked the Secretariat to consider whether it would be possible to bring forward by a few weeks, the date set for the 1983 session of the Commission, in order to avoid holding the Commission session at a time when there was a likelihood that many people would be on holiday. The Secretariat undertook to look into this request.
129. The Delegation of Switzerland stressed the particular importance of the work of the General Subject Committeés. In this connection, the Delegation of Switzerland thought that it would be advantageous if the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene and the Codex Committee on Food Labelling could meet in consecutive weeks, in the interest of reducing travel expenses for some delegations. The Delegation of Switzerland mentioned that there were four Committees meeting in North America, namely: (i) Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, (ii) Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins, (iii) Codex Committee on Food Hygiene, and (iv) Codex Committee on Food Labelling, and that efforts should be made to try to link some of these meetings with each other.
130. The Delegation of New Zealand expressed its agreement with the views of the Delegation of Switzerland.
131. The Delegation of Ghana stated that in developing countries there were often very few people available to attend the Codex Committee sessions. The Delegation of Ghana considered that it would be helpful if more Codex Committee sessions could be linked together.
132. The Secretariat indicated that in fixing dates for Codex Committee sessions, account had to be taken of the wishes of Host Governments as regards the dates when suitable facilities could be made available. However, the Host Governments and the Secretariat did, as far as was practicable, try to phase sessions with a view to facilitating participation of the delegates at sessions.
133. The Delegation of Austria confirmed the date proposed for the next session of the Coordinating Committee for Europe (27 September to 1 October 1982). No decision had as yet been taken as to whether the meeting would be held in Innsbruck or Vienna.
134. Concerning the tentative date for the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (March 1983), the Delegation of Canada indicated that it would prefer to see the 17th Session postponed to November 1983 because of the fact that very few Commodity Committees would be meeting between the 16th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling and the 1983 Session of the Commission, and therefore, little endorsement work would be necessary. Such endorsement work as would be necessary could be done at the 15th Session of the Commission. The Commission concurred with this change in date.
135. The Commission had before it ALINORM 81/9 and ALINORM 81/3 containing the responses of various Host Governments to the question of whether they would be willing, and if so under what conditions, to hold meetings of their Committees in developing countries. As had been noted by the Executive Committee at its 28th Session, some Host Governments saw major problems in transferring Codex sessions to other locations. Other Host Countries had indicated their willingness, in principle, to contemplate an arrangement of this kind subject to various conditions being fulfilled. The Executive Committee had noted that a major point raised was the question of whether moving a session to a different location would, in fact, result in greater attendance of developing countries. For example, would a session held in Africa result in greater attendance of Asian and Latin American countries. The Executive Committee had expressed the opinion that this was a point which should be brought specifically to the attention of the Commission, recognizing that it was important to look carefully at this matter to see if there really would be an advantage to be gained.
136. The attention of the Commission was also drawn to the fact that the Chairman of the Commission, when presiding over the 28th Session of the Executive Committee, had suggested that the Coordinating Committees for the various regions might be able to play a useful role in examining standards, under elaboration by the various Commodity Committees, of particular interest to the Members of the Region. The Executive Committee had considered that this was a matter which merited further examination, and would be helpful for the discussion of the Commission on this topic.
137. The Delegation of Norway stated that, in principle, Norway would try to accommodate the wishes of developing countries if they felt strongly about transferring a session or sessions of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products to another location. The Delegation of Norway added that it was probably preferable to hold sessions in countries where there were FAO or WHO facilities. The Delegation of Norway thought that a factor which would need to be borne in mind was whether the transfer of a Codex meeting to another distant location would result in a falling off in the attendance of those countries which usually sent delegations to sessions of the Committee, resulting in loss of continuity of participation and expertise.
138. The Delegation of the United States recalled that it had arranged for a session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene and a session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, in the early years of the Committees' existence, to be held in Rome. This had not, however, resulted in increased participation in the sessions. Concerning the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products, the Delegation of the United States was of the opinion, taking into account the wide geographical interest in products being dealt with by this Committee and the already good and increasing participation, that it would be best to continue holding sessions of the Committee in the USA.
139. The Delegation of Hungary stated that, in principle, it would be agreeable to hold a session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling in a developing country even though it had taken note of the various difficulties there might be in trying to arrange for a meeting of the Committee in another location. The Delegation of Hungary thought that the Regional Coordinating Committees should look into this question. The Delegation also felt that any concrete proposals that might come forward could be looked at by the Executive Committee.
140. The Delegation of Switzerland indicated that, in principle, it was not opposed to holding a meeting of the Codex Committee for Cocoa Products and Chocolate in a developing country. The Delegation pointed out that the Committee was discussing commodities the raw materials for which were produced in developing countries. The Delegation of Switzerland indicated that, if it was advised which countries were interested in providing facilities for the holding of a session of this Committee in its territory, it might be possible to come to some arrangement. The delegation of Ghana stated that, as cocoa was so important to Ghana's economy, Ghana might consider the hosting of a session of the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate after consultation with Switzerland, which holds the chairmanship of the Committee.
141. The Delegation of Canada indicated that it was open to the possibility of holding a session of the Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins in an interested developing country. While not ruling out holding a session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling in a developing country, experience had indicated that there would likely be significant problems associated with moving the venue of this type of horizontal or endorsement committee. The Delegation of Canada considered that it would be necessary to have a list of potential sites accompanied by details of services available. Also, if a Regional Coordinating Committee wished to be brought up to date on the work of, say, the Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins, the Chairman of that Committee, or the Codex Contact Point in Canada, could be invited to attend and report to the Coordinating Committee.
142. The Coordinator for Latin America, Dr. A.M. Dovat stated that Uruguay which had provided host facilities for the Second Session of the Coordinating Committee for Latin America would also be providing them for the Third Session in Montevideo. He expressed the view that it was very important that Member Countries in the various regions should strenghten their participation in the work of the Coordinating Committees for those regions. He also thought that greater economic support should be given to the work of the Regional Coordinating Committees.
143. Several delegations from countries, including those of Cuba, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, which were not host countries for Codex Committees, also expressed their views on this matter. Most delegations thought that although there might be financial and other difficulties, every effort should be made to have some Codex Committee sessions held in developing countries. Some delegations thought that perhaps FAO and WHO Regional Offices might be in a position to help in this matter with appropriate financial assistance from both Organizations.
144. Another proposal was that the Secretariat should make a survey of conference facilities available in the different developing countries. The point was also made, especially in relation to Codex Committees which discuss standards for commodities produced in developing countries, that for a better understanding of problems experienced by developing countries, it would be desirable to hold Codex sessions where the problems exist. Another advantage of holding Codex sessions in developing countries would be that it would create greater awareness of the value of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was still not adequately appreciated in all parts of the world. The point was also made that if a host country was really committed to the idea of helping the developing countries, a way could be found to overcome financial and other difficulties. Another proposal put forward was that where a Codex Committee was dealing with products of particular interest to developing countries, it would be desirable for sessions of the Committee to be held in those countries which produce these commodities. It was also stated that the holding of a Codex Committee session in a developing producer country would enable other participants to see how the raw material was processed. Another suggestion put forward was that it would be desirable to have an approximate estimate of costs involved in holding a Codex meeting in another location.
145. Most delegations thought that the Commission should accept, in principle, the idea of trying to hold more sessions in developing countries. The Representative of the Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (ASMO) expressed the view that it was up to the developing countries themselves to make known their interest in holding particular Codex Committee sessions in their country. He also thought that developing countries which had the facilities for holding Codex Committee sessions should be encouraged by the FAO or WHO Regional Offices, or the appropriate Regional Codex Coordinating Committee.
146. The Commission concluded that the discussion had shown substantial interest in this subject, and despite financial and other difficulties, it was the general view that, in principle, every effort should be made to try and arrange to have a number of Codex Committees meet in developing countries. The Commission agreed that it would be necessary to obtain more information on what was possible, on what facilities were on offer, and under what conditions. Also, it would be necessary to obtain information regarding the availability of qualified interpreters locally, as otherwise this could be the single most expensive item in the cost of the holding of Codex Committee sessions. It was also agreed that it would be necessary to identify standards of interest to a potential new host country. In this connection the Commission agreed that it would be necessary to send an appropriate questionnaire to developing countries. The Commission agreed that the Secretariat should send letters to developing countries posing the appropriate questions and enquiring which Codex Committees were of special interest. The Secretariat should also maintain close liaison with the present host countries about this matter. The Secretariat was asked to prepare a progress report on this topic for consideration by the Executive Committee at its next session.
147. The Commission recognized that it might be of greater interest to developing countries and a more practicable proposition to transfer to another location sessions of certain Commodity Committees, such as for example the Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate, rather than sessions of Codex General Subject Committees. It might be too difficult to operate General Subject Committees away from their normal location, because of the extensive documentation requirements and need to refer to records and files from previous sessions. The Commission also thought it valuable to keep in mind the proposal of the Delegation of Canada concerning the suggestion that Chairmen of certain Codex Committees and Codex Contact Points might be invited to attend and report in sessions of Coordinating Committees.
148. The Executive Committee at its 27th Session had considered the question of whether there was a need to establish international Codex standards for Pulses and Legumes. The Executive Committee had recommended that a document be prepared for consideration by the Commission at its 14th Session.
149. The document entitled “Consideration of need for international standards for pulses and legumes” (ALINORM 81/5) was introduced by the Secretariat. It contained details of the most important pulses moving in international trade, and the principle areas of cultivation. Data on production, consumption and trade were also provided in the paper, as well as information on the nutritive value of these products. There was also a section on health consideration associated with some of these products. The conclusion in the paper was that, on the basis of the work criteria of the Commission, there was a need to establish international standards for these products, which were an important source of energy and protein in diets of many peoples in the developing world.
150. The majority of delegations that spoke on this topic agreed that the paper had established that there was a need to develop worldwide standards, or codes of practice as might be appropriate, for these products. A number of delegations pointed out that it would be important for any international standards to take into account that in many developing regions these products were processed by simple techniques. In this connection it was stressed that any international standards should promote exports and not result in the creation of export difficulties for developing countries.
151. Attention was drawn to the fact that the Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Produce of the UNECE was working on a European recommendation for pulses. The need to ensure that the minimum quality requirements of any UNECE proposal did not conflict with any minimum quality requirements of Codex standards was stressed.
152. The Delegation of Argentina drew attention to the conclusion in paragraph 13e in that paper, which stated that the Caribbean area and Latin America as a whole continued to be a net importer. The Delegation pointed out that Argentina was a net exporter and therefore it would be more informative to say that the majority of countries in the Caribbean area and Latin America continued to be net importers.
153. A number of delegations thought it would be better for the Commission not to take a decision to embark on elaboration of standards for these products at this time. Amongst the points made by these delegations were the following: There was insufficient information before the Commission as to how much of these products were used for human consumption, and how much for animal feed; the possible health risks associated with these products were not very significant; the Secretariat should issue a Circular Letter to obtain further information concerning the extent and importance of trade in these products destined for human consumption, and also which products would need to be standardized at regional and worldwide levels.
154. In connection with the foregoing points, the Secretariat made available copies of an FAO document entitled “Pulses - World Situation and Outlook”. This had been prepared by the Commodities and Trade Division of FAO for the Assembly of the International Pulse Trade and Industry Confederation held in Marrakesh, Morocco, June 1981.
155. After full consideration the Commission decided that work should be started on the elaboration of standards for these products. The Commission requested the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products to undertake this task. The Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products should determine its own priorities, including the question of which products needed to be standardized on a worldwide basis, and which products might more appropriately be standardized on a regional basis. It would also be necessary for the UNECE to ensure that there was no conflict between its standards and those of the Codex for these products. It would be necessary, therefore for the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products to examine the UNECE draft recommendation for these products. The Commission considered that the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products could benefit from the expertise of the International Pulse Trade and Industry Confederation and noted with appreciation the offer of the Secretary-General of IPTIC to collaborate with the Committee in this work.
156. It was agreed that it was necessary to widen the terms of reference and title of the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products. In this connection it was agreed that revised terms of reference for the Committee should be considered under the item of the agenda dealing with the activities of the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products (see also paras 476–477).
