2. The Committee was addressed by Mr. C. Tapias, FAO Representative to Costa Rica and Mr. Larry M. Boone, Deputy-Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. Their remarks addressed the importance of the role of the Committee in the overall effort to improve food quality and safety while facilitating international trade. The impact of Codex standards in the context of the World Trade Organization Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade was stressed and the roles of FAO and IICA in providing advice and assistance in achieving the goals of the Agreements was highlighted.
3. The Session was opened by Mr. Eduardo Sibaja, Costa Rican Vice-Minister of Economy, Industry and Trade, Science and Technology. Mr. Sibaja welcomed all participants to Costa Rica. He emphasized the commitment of Costa Rica to achieving sustainable development in agriculture and the economy and continued commitment to education, social security and health.
