3. The Executive Committee noted the Secretariat's report on the outcome of the 1994/95 biennium and on the current situation with regard to the biennium 1996/97. In particular, the reduction in documentation costs due to restructuring of publications services in FAO was noted. The Executive Committee expressed its satisfaction at the overall budget level proposed for 1998/99.
4. Several Members of the Executive Committee expressed concern that efforts to reduce costs by reducing the length of meetings and reducing the lengths of reports, could result in false economies in view of the large workload facing the Commission and its principal subsidiary bodies and the need for adequate communication and transparency in decision-making. The Executive Committee noted that distribution of documentation via the Internet had great potential for reducing costs and encouraged the Secretariat to make greater use of this medium. For developing countries without direct access to Internet in Codex Contact Point Offices, it was suggested that lines of communication be established between the Contact Point and local or Regional FAO Offices to ensure timely document distribution.
5. The Executive Committee noted that for the first time in several years, the Secretariat of the Joint Programme was fully staffed, and that WHO had also made available the services of a staff member of a part-time basis as a member of the Secretariat. It was noted that donor countries had provided, or were considering providing, additional support to the Secretariat in the form of posts for Associate Professional Officers.
6. The Executive Committee expressed its appreciation to FAO and WHO for the continuing support at a substantial level for the Codex Programme, despite the financial restrictions facing the parent organisations. It also expressed its appreciation to Host Governments for their support to the Programme and to those countries supporting the programme directly and indirectly.
