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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Illsley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names of the British representatives on the Codex Alimentarius Commission together with its (a) terms of reference, (b) decision-making procedures and (c) voting methods. [3102] Mrs. Browning: The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an intergovernmental body established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation "to guide and promote the elaboration and establishment of definitions and requirements for foods, to assist in their harmonisation and, in doing so, to facilitate international trade". The commission is assisted in its work by 29 committees. Some deal with general matters, that is labelling; some with specific commodities, that is, fish and fishery products; and some are regional committees. The UK is represented by officials from this and other Government Departments. Representatives of industry and consumer organisations may also attend. The commission determines the need for a standard and arranges for it to be drafted. There then follows an eight-step procedure--which can in certain circumstances be reduced to five steps--in which the standards are reviewed twice by the specific committee and the commission and twice by Governments and international organisations before adoption. Decisions at committee and commission meetings are generally taken by consensus. When it does occur, formal voting is either by a simple showing of hands of those eligible to vote--one vote per member country present-- or, if demanded by any member, a roll call vote, where the vote of each member is recorded. The commission may also decide a matter by secret ballot.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3102; 285 c73-4W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Health Industry International organisations Food Nutrition Trade Codex Alimentarius Commission