Harmonisation on agenda for international food trade committee

Australia is chairing the 25th meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS).

Starting yesterday (31 May 2021) until 8 June 2021, the 25th session of CCFICS was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year it is being run virtually for the first time and Australia is hosting over 600 delegates registered from over 60 countries.

First Assistant Secretary of the Exports and Veterinary Services Division at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Nicola Hinder said the committee develops principles and guidelines for food import and export inspection and certification systems.

“This meeting is important for Australia, in particular our agricultural sector, to help shape the science-based international standards underpinning food import and export,” Hinder said.

“It’s about harmonising methods and procedures to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trading practices and facilitate international food trade.”

Key items on the agenda include:

• developing guidance on the paperless use of electronic certificates;
• equivalence across national food control systems;
• tackling food fraud; and
• consolidated guidelines related to equivalence.

Fran Freeman, former First Assistant Secretary of the Exports and Veterinary Services Division and current CCFICS Chair, is hoping to progress work on each of the key items for discussion.

“Each of the items are at different stages; however, we are looking to make progress on each topic on the agenda,” Freeman said.

The committee will consider commencing work on food fraud and guidance on alternative verification systems such as remote auditing for food regulatory frameworks. Hinder said the committee “will also consider paperless trade which aligns with the 2020–21 congestion busting budget measures, particularly around delivering a more competitive export industry through flexible assurance methods such as the better use of technology.

“Efficient and transparent inspection and certification systems ensure that our food safety systems continue to protect consumers and deliver fair trade in food.”

The third World Food Safety Day, to be celebrated on 7 June 2021, falls within the CCFICS meeting week. Established by the World Health Organisation, World Food Safety Day draws attention to global food safety awareness, which is also a critical facet in the work undertaken by CCFICS.

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