283. The Commission had before it the Report of the 5th Session of the Coordinating Committee for Africa (ALINORM 81/28). In the absence of the Coordinator for Africa, Dr. T. N'Doye, the Codex Secretary of the Coordinating Committee introduced the report. He informed the Commission that the Committee had been well attended by countries from the African Region and by other countries. Attendance by African Regional Organizations had been less than expected and the Coordinating Committee had made arrangements in the hope of improving participation by regional organizations. The Secretary informed the Commission of the good progress made by the Coordinating Committee and the excellent facilities provided by the Government of Senegal.
284. The Commission expressed its appreciation to the Government of Senegal for hosting sessions of the Committee and to the outgoing Coordinator for Africa, Dr. N'Doye, for his long and valuable contribution to the work of the Commission.
285. The Commission had before it the above standard (Appendix III, ALINORM 81/28) and was informed that this product, especially if fortified to improve its nutritional quality, was likely to become an important item in trade within the Region of Africa. In any event gari was already an important dietary item in Africa.
Status of Standard
286. The Commission decided to advance the Draft African Regional Standard for Gari to Step 6 of the Procedure for the Elaboration of Regional Standards.
287. The Commission was informed that the Coordinating Committee intended to send to Step 3 proposed draft African regional standards for sorghum grains, millet grains and millet flours, following the adoption by the Commission of the shortened new Procedure and following the agreement of the Commission.
288. The Delegation of Ghana questioned whether, in view of the existence of a worldwide Codex Committee dealing with cereals and cereal products, it was appropriate to elaborate such regional standards. The Secretariat informed the Commission that, on the basis of an extensive study of world trade in various cereal products, the 1st Session of the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products had raised no objection to regional standards being elaborated for sorghum and millet.
289. The Commission agreed that the above three standards be advanced to Step 3 of the Procedure for the Elaboration of Regional Standards.
290. The Commission recalled its decision concerning the elaboration of standards for pulses by the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products (para 155). It also noted that the Coordinating Committee had expressed its interest in elaborating regional standards for those pulses which were of significance in intra-African trade, but which, in the opinion of the Commission, did not move in significant quantities in worldwide trade. The Coordinating Committee had also indicated that cowpeas, earthpeas and kidney beans were important items especially in west African trade, and should be given high priority. On the suggestion of the Delegation of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the Commission decided to await developments in the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products, in order to see what pulses might be the subject of Regional African Standards.
294. The Delegations of Ghana and Cameroon underlined the statement of the Delegation of Australia and expressed the hope that other countries would consider similar assistance. The Delegation of Kenya also indicated that residues in food following the incorrect use of pesticides could create difficulties for export trade. The Secretariat pointed to the work of the Working Group on Problems in Developing Countries in relation to Pesticide Residues (within the framework of the CCPR) and undertook to refer this matter to that Group. It also pointed out that Coordinating Committees were excellent fora where real problems of this sort should be discussed leading to technical assistance in the various fields. It was for this reason that the agenda of the Coordinating Committees normally included items dealing with problems relating to the need for strengthening infrastructures, manpower resources in developing countries and the promotion of technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC) in food control.
Other matters arising from the Report of the Coordinating Committee for Africa
295. The questions relating to honey and mango juice (see paras 16–17 and 25–26, ALINORM 81/28) were deferred to items 38 and 24 (c) respectively.
296. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee for Africa had unanimously nominated Dr. J.K. Misoi of Kenya as Coordinator for Africa. The Delegation of Kenya confirmed that Dr. Misoi was in a position to accept the nomination. In accordance with Rule II.4(b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, the Commission appointed Dr. J.K. Misoi (Kenya) as Coordinator for Africa, to serve from the end of the Fourteenth Session to the end of the Fifteenth Session of the Commission.
297. The Commission noted that there was no Report of the Committee before it for consideration, because the Committee had not met since the last session of the Commission.
299. The Delegation of the Republic of Korea, as the Representative of Asia in the Executive Committee, expressed, on behalf of the Region, regret that it had not been possible for the Coordinating Committee to meet, and expressed the Region's appreciation of the offer made by the Government of Sri Lanka.
300. On a proposal of the Members of the Region of Asia attending the Session, the Commission, in accordance with Rule II.4(b) of the Rules of Procedure, appointed Professor A. Bhumiratana (Thailand) as Coordinator for Asia, to serve from the end of the Fourteenth session to the end of the Fifteenth session of the Commission.
301. The Commission wished to place on record its appreciation for the work of the outgoing Coordinator Dr. D.S. Chadha in promoting the work of the Commission in Asia.
302. The Commission had before it the Report of the Coordinating Committee for Europe (ALINORM 81/19) and additional information on matters for action contained in ALINORM 81/21.
304. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee for Europe was placing emphasis on the need for countries of the region to accept more Codex standards. He pointed out that those problems which arose in this respect especially in countries with very detailed food legislation might be resolved through assistance of the Coordinating Committee. The Committee was actively involved in comparative studies of food standard matters of various economic groupings in Europe, in order to facilitate their harmonization. The Commission was informed that the Committee had examined a survey of food control and inspection services which had been prepared jointly by the Regional Office of WHO for Europe and Hungary. The survey would be up-dated periodically as the data became available.
306. The Commission noted that, in the opinion of the Delegations of Portugal and Spain, the term “vinegar” unqualified must mean wine vinegar only. In the definitions of the different vinegars, the term “wine” must refer only to products of viticultural origin. The Commission also noted that these comments had already been presented to the Coordinating Committee and suggested that they might be further discussed at the next session of the Committee.
Status of the Standard
307. The Commission decided to adopt the above standard at Step 5 and to advance it to Step 6 of the Procedure.
308. The Commission decided to consider this matter under item 38 (see paras 528–531).
309. The Coordinator reported on the progress of work on Sections 5 (Hygiene) and 8 (Methods of Analysis and Sampling) which had still to be finalized. The standard as such had already been adopted at the 12th Session of the Commission with the proviso to postpone its publication pending finalization of the above sections.
310. The Commission noted that a number of methods had already been finalized and adopted by the Commission at its 13th Session. The same was the case for the hygiene provisions with the exception of section 5.2 (Microbiological Requirements). The Commission was informed that ad hoc working groups had been established to collect and analyse additional data on the above matters and to prepare appropriate documentation for submission to the Codex Committees on Food Hygiene and Methods of Analysis. The Delegation of Switzerland supported this action. The Coordinating Committee for Europe was of the opinion that the standard was of great importance to its member countries and had therefore requested the Commission to agree to publication with an appropriate footnote.
311. The Delegation of the United Kingdom expressed concern that publication of the standard might deter progress on the pending matters. The Delegation of the United Kingdom also drew the attention of the Commission to the decisions taken by the Codex Committee on General Principles and approved by the Commission that (a) if possible no alternative methods should be included in the standard and (b) no methods should be elaborated for parameters not mentioned in the standard. The Delegation of Egypt advised the Commission that Egypt could not agree with several provisions in section 5.2 as presently drafted. It was pointed out that member countries could submit further technical comments on section 5.2 (Microbiological Requirements) to the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. The Delegation of Egypt pointed out that the subject of mineral waters should have been considered by the international committees selected for elaborating the guidelines for drinking water and not by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene.
312. The Commission decided that the standard was important for trade and health reasons and should, therefore, be published with an appropriate note on the pending provisions. The Commission further recommended that the finalization of the outstanding matters should be carried out expeditiously.
313. The Commission had before it the Report of the Second Session of the above Committee which had been held in Montevideo from 9 to 15 December 1980 (ALINORM 81/31).
315. The Commission noted that, following a request by the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products at its first session, the Coordinating Committee had considered which cereals were of importance within the region and, noting that more detailed information was required on intra-regional production, trade and consumption of such products, had decided to give the matter more detailed examination at its next session.
321. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee had recommended that the above standard should be developed in future on a worldwide basis and that the matter would be discussed fully at a later point in the Agenda.
322. On a proposal of the Delegation of Argentina and with the support of all the members of the Region for Latin America attending the session, the Commission agreed, without dissent, to suspend Rule II.4 to permit the appointment of Dr. E.M. Brivio of Uruguay who had not been able to be present at the session. The Commission appointed Dr. Brivio to be the Coordinator for Latin America to serve from the end of the 14th to the end of the 15th Session of the Commission. The Commission placed on record that the suspension of Rule II.4 in accordance with Rule XIII.2 was to meet exceptional circumstances and should not be regarded as a precedent. The Commission considered that there were good reasons as to why Rule II.4 required a nominee to be present at the session for appointment to the position of Coordinator.
323. The Commission expressed its appreciation to the Government of Uruguay for hosting the Second Session of the Committee and also its appreciation to Dr. A.M. Dovat, Coordinator, for his valuable contribution in promoting the work of the Commission in Latin America.
