The 56th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) will take place in Santiago, Chile, 8–13 September. As Members prepare for the meeting, we spoke with Dr Weili Shan, Chairperson of the Committee, about pertinent issues and his own preparations for this key meeting.

Dr Shan, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions! This is the third time you have chaired a CCPR meeting. And this is the first time since China started chairing the Committee that it has been co-chaired by and hosted in another country – in this case Chile. In your view, what benefits will this co-hosting bring to the Codex membership and to the Committee? 

China has previously hosted 17 CCPR sessions. We have observed that organizing these meetings in different provinces of China significantly raises local governments’ awareness of food safety standards. This goes beyond merely ensuring the success of the conference itself—it also leads to substantial investments in follow-up efforts such as food safety management, standards setting and market supervision, all of which have yielded remarkable results. I believe this is one of the key reasons why Codex encourages Members to co-host Codex meetings: to enhance the influence of Codex Standards and to promote consumer safety. Other committees have set positive precedents in this regard.

Chile and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Members from Latin America and the Caribbean countries play an active role in the work of CCPR. By co-hosting with Chile, we hope to foster deeper regional engagement in Codex activities and facilitate in-depth technical exchanges between our two countries, particularly in the field of pesticide residues management.

I also note that, before China assumed the role of host country, CCPR had an established tradition of co-hosting meetings. We are keen to revive this tradition in the future and look forward to exploring further co-hosting opportunities with other countries.

How do you usually prepare for the Committee meetings and how are the co-hosting arrangements impacting on your plans in the run up to CCPR56? 

As the Chairperson of CCPR, I believe that a deep understanding of both technical matters and procedural rules is essential to presiding over meetings successfully. My preparations typically begin with active participation in, or close monitoring of, the outcomes of the Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) meeting held each September.

In addition to technical readiness, effective chairing requires proactive and efficient communication with the Secretariat, chairs of electronic working group, Members, and Observers. Identifying and understanding various concerns in advance, can help the meeting agenda progress smoothly.

The co-hosting arrangement has also been highly beneficial. I am honoured to have Eduardo Aylwin as my co-Chairperson for this session. As an expert with extensive experience in both Codex work and pesticide residue management, he will not only take responsibility for several important agenda items—thus reducing my workload—but more importantly, provide valuable perspectives that enrich discussions and support the effective advancement of CCPR56.

Are there any agenda items you are particularly looking forward to finalizing? 

I look forward to advancing all items on the agenda. That said, Member Countries have shown particular interest in advancing to CAC48 the pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) , as well as in establishing the schedule and priority list for next year’s standards-setting work.

At the same time, I am placing special emphasis on Agenda Item 10, which aims to strengthen operational collaboration between CCPR and JMPR. This item is crucial to addressing the backlog of JMPR evaluations and meeting global demand for Codex MRLs on pesticide residues.

“Efficiency” has necessarily become a very important aim in all Codex work. The CCPR work with the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) is probably a very good example of Codex working efficiently. How is that collaboration working and are there any lessons Codex can learn from this experience? 

The foundation of this collaboration lies in scientific risk assessment. It is built upon comprehensive evaluations conducted by expert bodies regarding the establishment of harmonized MRLs for compounds with dual use. At the same time, the joint electronic working group closely monitors developments within both committees, playing a key role in enhancing mutual understanding and coordination between CCPR and CCRVDF.

What advice do you have for delegates and, in particular, for delegates new to this Committee? 

I expect that many delegates will be attending CCPR for the first time. My advice is to carefully review all relevant working documents and actively participate in pre-meeting discussions. A core function of Codex is to develop and endorse science-based, harmonized standards for pesticide residues. These efforts are essential not only for protecting consumer health worldwide but also for promoting fair international trade—both of which contribute significantly to global food safety and improving farmers’ incomes.

I also encourage delegates to deepen their understanding of pesticide registration frameworks and the current state of the pesticide industry in different Member Countries.

Finally, I hope everyone will take this opportunity to actively engage in the meeting, build connections, and enjoy their time in Chile.

Read more

CCPR56 webpage