The 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) has opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. CCRVDF Chairperson, Brandi Robinson, welcomed delegates.

Opening the session in a pre-recorded video message the United States’ Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Michelle Bekkering, highlighted the importance of Codex work to her country and to her personally, as someone who grew up on a farm. “I owe a lot to my rural upbringing,” she said. “Not only did it instill in me the values of hard work, productivity, honesty and gratefulness that I carry with me today, it taught me [we] were part of this larger story unfolding all across the world; part of a trade economy that brought OUR crops to places like Japan and the then-Soviet Union.” This understanding laid the foundation of her understanding of “how crucial Codex is not only to the United States, but around the world. Codex forms the foundation for safe and fair agricultural and food systems that all of us in this room rely on globally.” The Deputy Under Secretary went on to underline the United States’ commitment to Codex work generally, and to the work of CCRVDF particularly. “You are the keepers of the world’s guidance on veterinary drugs, and your work is the anchor on which our farmers, ranchers, and producers can rely to sell their product, and feed their families,” she reminded delegates.

In his opening remarks, Codex Alimentarius Commission Vice-Chairperson, Khalid Al Zhrani also spoke of the “vital role” played by CCRVDF in “establishing science-based maximum residue limits and developing guidance to support the safe use of veterinary drugs in food-producing animals. As food systems and trade continue to evolve, the importance of this Committee’s work remains paramount.” He summarized the work ahead for this week, concluding with an appeal to delegates for “open and constructive dialogue as you work through the agenda items and strive for consensus”.

Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill, also turned to the topic of CCRVDF’s agenda in her speech. She focused on the Committee’s response to the standard-setting needs of Members in line with the Codex Alimentarius Commission Strategic Plan 2026–2031. “This committee has developed innovative approaches—such as using extrapolation methods and developing action levels to address emerging issues in trade while ensuring consumer safety,” she remarked. “I encourage the continuation of this entrepreneurial approach.” She also encouraged support for data generation to enable the Committee to effectively carry out its work. As Cahill pointed out, innovations also extend to the approaches being developed for CCRVDF and the Codex Committee on Pesticide Resiues (CCPR) work  together on dual use compounds – those used both as pesticides and veterinary drugs - through meetings of the joint CCRVDF/CCPR electronic working group and a possible joint meeting in the future. She also updated delegates on ongoing work in Secretariat to ensure all databases, including the database on residues of veterinary drugs, were upgraded in line with technological developments and user needs. The Committee will, she said, have an opportunity this week to provide input on this work. In conclusion, she recalled the theme of the 48th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in November 2025, which was “Together”. “As we address increasingly complex issues and often have fewer resources, collaboration is more crucial than ever to achieve Codex’s purpose: protecting consumer health and facilitating fair practices in food trade. In this context, I encourage you to use this meeting and others to engage in dialogue, build relationships, and continue being innovative and vigilant to emerging needs,” she said.

CCRVDF28 will discuss maximum residue limits (MRLs) for residues of veterinary drugs in foods, as well as extrapolated MRLs, and Guidance for actions that competent authorities could take upon detection of residues of veterinary drugs in food of animal origin caused by the unavoidable and unintentional carryover of veterinary drugs in animal feed.

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CCRVDF28 webpage