CCFICS25 / Trade is what will continue to keep our global community together
The 25th session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) being held virtually from 31 May 2021 to 8 June, began with a welcome in the Ngunnawal language to Ngunnawal country the land where Canberra is located. “We acknowledge and pay our respects to the elders,” said Lyn O’Connell, Deputy Secretary in the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water & The Environment further acknowledging all traditional owners on the land from which CCFICS delegates are taking part in the session.
In a welcome message the Hon David Littleproud MP, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management said: “Trade is what will continue to keep our global community together and what your doing is at the cornerstone of that.”
Writing in the CCFICS 25th anniversary newsletter, the Minister underlined that through its membership of Codex, Australia represents the interests of Australian consumers, farmers, agribusiness and the food industry to develop international science-based, standards and guidelines. “We seek to ensure that Codex achieves this without imposing unjustified burdens or barriers on those who trade and, consequently, on consumers,” he writes.
The session is being chaired by Fran Freeman, Australia. “As a global community it is imperative, we work together to ensure that our food safety systems protect consumers and deliver fair trade in food and CCFICS25 gives us the opportunity to ensure that we continue to deliver important outcomes for consumer, food traders and governments alike,” she said to more than 300 delegates attending day one.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of shifts in the trading environment, alongside changes due to the development of new technology and changing consumer expectations. “It is vital that inspection and certification systems, including CCFICS guidance are able to adapt to and keep up with change,” said Freeman.
Guilherme da Costa Junior, Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission stressed the responsibility of Codex towards the global society regarding food safety. It is essential we strive, “to develop and disseminate Codex standards to ensure the safety and quality of food for everyone, everywhere,” he said. Consumer confidence in the safety and quality aspects of food supply depends in part on their perception of the effectiveness of inspection and certification systems as food control measures.
Learn more
All meeting documents are available on the CCFICS25 meeting page
Download the 25th anniversary newsletter.
Main photo left to right: Fran Freeman, Lyn O’Connell, David Littleproud.