The International Food Standards and Recommendations Prof. Elisaveta Stikova M.D., Ph.D. School of Medicine University “St. Cyril and Methodius” – Skopje Republic of Macedonia

The expansion of international food trade leads to: z Social and economical benefit, z Many trade barriers, z Increase of food related hazards, zNeed for protection of human, animal and plant life and health, z Need for fair and correct practice.

International Organizations: zCodex Alimentarius for food safety and human health, zInternational Office of Epizootics for animal health and zoonoses, zInternational Plant Protection Convention for plant health.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: zFounded by FAO in 1961 and WHO in 1963, z167 member countries, zResponsible for the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program since 1962, zhttp://

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): Objectives: zTo protect human health, zTo accept food standards, zTo protect consumer rights, zTo ensure fair food trade practice.

Organization of CAC: z Executive Committee z 5 Regional Committees, z 9 Horizontal Committees, z11 Product Committees, z 3 Ad-hoc Intergovernmental Task Working Groups

CAC supports: zScientists and researchers, zScientific and research laboratories, zScientific and research institutes, zJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committees

Structure and contents of Codex Alimentarius: z Codex Alimentarius is composed of 14 volumes distributed in 17 books z Each book (by group of products) contains standards, guidelines, recommendations...

Achievements: z 237 Food Standards, z3274 Limits for pesticides residues, z1300 Food additives evaluated, z 289 Limits of veterinary drug residues, z 197 Pesticides evaluated, z 43 Code of Practice, z 33 Guidelines.

Transparency of Codex Alimentarius: The information for all the standards, regulations, guides and other recommendations are available on the web page

National Codex Contact Point function: z Relation between the Secretariat and the member countries z Coordination of all relevant Codex activities in their own country, z Acceptance of all final Codex–texts (standards, guidelines, advisory texts)

International Organization for Epizootics (OIE): z Founded by International Agreement in 1924, z 162 member countries, z

OIE Objectives: zTo ensure transparency of animal diseases status in the world, zTo collect, analyze and disseminate veterinary scientific information, zTo develop animal health and biological standards, zTo coordinate approach to disease outbreaks.

OIE Organization: z International Committee z Central Bureau, z Working Groups, z 5 Regional Commissions, z 4 Specialist Technical Commissions

OIE Specialist Technical Commissions: z International Animal Health Code Commission, z Standards Commission, z Foot and Mouth Disease and other Epizootics Commissions and z Fish Diseases Commission.

Achievements: zThe Code - provides international standards, zThe Manual - gives the diagnostic techniques and vaccine control methods, zA Code and Manual for aquatic animals.

Network: z144 Reference Laboratories in 30 countries, xcover 47 terrestrial and 22 aquatic animal diseases z9 Collaborating Centers in 7 countries, zCenters of expertise and standardization

Transparency of OIE(1): z Reporting for disease outbreaks and incidents xActive search and verification of non-official information z Improving of knowledge for the global data situation xData quality, xEssential for safe trade

Transparency of OIE(2): z OIE Early Warning System, z Weekly Diseases Information, z Two-month bulletins, z Three-month scientific review, z Annual World Animal Health Report.

International Plant Protection Convention(IPPC) z IPPC came in force in 1952, z Amended in 1979, 1991 and 1997 z 117 member countries z

IPPC Objectives(1): zTo provide joint and effective action to prevent the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products, z To provide joint and effective action to prevent the entry and spread of plant and plant product diseases,

IPPC Objectives(2): zTo promote appropriate measures for phytosanitary control, zTo develop phytosanitary standards, zTo support the harmonization of regulation,

IPPC Objectives(3): zTo conduct treatments and certify exports, zTo share information on pests and regulations, zTo define storage conditions, zTo control biological pests/organisms.

Trade elements of the IPPC: zInternational standards for phytosanitary measures, zPhytosanitary certification, zDispute settlement, zRequirements for imports.

IPPC Organization: zIPPC Secretariat, z9 Regional Plant Protection Organizations zInterim Commission on Phytosanitary measures, zStandards Committee.

Relationship to the IPPC: zGMO’s zBiosafety, biocontrol and application of phytosanitary measures, zAlien invasive species, zEnvironmental hazards/risks.

Transparency of IPPC: To facilitate mandatory information exchange of: zstandards, zpest status, zregulations, requirements, zpest lists, znon-compliance, emergencies.