SIXTH REVIEW OF
THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
SPS COMMITTEE
THEMATIC SESSION ON MONITORING THE USE OF INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCFICS GUIDELINE ON THE USE OF VOLUNTARY
THIRD-PARTY ASSURANCE PROGRAMMES (CXG 93-2021)
SUBMISSIOn from Belize
The following submission, received on 19 April 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Belize.
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1.1. In the context of Sixth Review of
the Operation and Implementation of the Agreement on the Application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), Belize submitted a
proposal for a thematic session on Monitoring the Use of International Standards:
Implementation of the CCFICS Guideline on the Use of Voluntary Third-Party
Assurance Programmes (CXG 93-2021).
1.2. The objectives of the thematic
session are to:
(a)_ explore different approaches to
implement the Codex Guidelines and share experiences and lessons (including
from three regional STDF vTPA pilot projects);
(b)_ learn about tools (e.g. UNIDO/STDF
vTPA programme assessment tool, GFSI data sharing platform) that support the
assessment and/or use of third-party assurance programmes by regulators;
(c)_ identify capacity building
opportunities to assist developing countries to use the Codex vTPA Guidelines,
including to enhance their risk-based inspection and auditing frameworks.
1.3. The proposed draft agenda below is
being circulated for consideration by Members.
DRAFT AGENDA FOR THEMATIC SESSION, XX NOVEMBER 2024,
WTO, GENEVA
MORNING SESSION
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1. Relevant
international standards (0.75 Hr)
Overview of the Codex Principles and Guidelines
for the Assessment and Use of the Voluntary Third-Party Assurance, developed
by the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification
Systems (CCFICS), and views from selected international organizations on how
the vTPA programme approach can contribute to improved food safety outcomes.
Speakers:
§_ Nicola
Hinder, Chair, Codex Committee on Food Import and
Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) (TBC)
§_ Ryan
Newkirk, World Health
Organization (on expected contribution of vTPA programme approach to WHO Food
Safety Strategy (TBC)
Followed by Q&A session and discussion
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2. MEMBERS' EXPERIENCE IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODEX GUIDELINE ON VOLUNTARY THIRD-PARTY ASSURANCE
PROGRAMMES (CXG 93-2021) (1.25 hours)
Presentation from Members
on their experiences implementing the approach set down in the Codex
Guideline (CXG 93 – 2021).
Speakers: TBD
§_ Speaker from Africa
§_ Speaker from the Americas
§_ Speaker from Asia
§_ Speakers from Europe
Followed
by Q&A session and discussion
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3. Roundtable
- Experiences and lessons learnt on piloting the use of the Codex guideline
(CXG 93-2021) (1 hour)
In this roundtable discussion, members (involved in
the STDF pilot projects) will share experiences and lessons learnt in
improving their national food control system through the implementation of
the respective regional vTPA pilot projects[1]
supported by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). This
session will also explore some of the lessons/learnings that could be applied
to the implementation of other international standards as well as provide
valuable feedback for future projects funded by the STDF.
Moderator: Marlynne Hopper, Deputy Head, Standards and Trade
Development Facility (TBC)
Speakers: TBD
§_ Regulator involved in Central America project
§_ Regulator involved in East Africa project
§_ Regulator involved in West Africa project
§_ Private sector representative (vTPA programme
owner; FBOs)
Followed by Q&A session and discussion
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AFTERNOON
SESSION
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4. Capacity
building initiatives (1.5 hours)
This session will share
available tools to support the use of vTPA programmes, and explore capacity
building opportunities in support of risk-based approaches in national food
control systems. It will include a presentation on the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)/STDF vTPA capacity assessment
tool and UNIDO vTPA readiness checklist, followed by a panel discussion.
Speakers: TBD
UNIDO: vTPA capacity assessment tool (presentation)
Panel discussion:
§_ Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture (IICA) - Experiences and Lessons Learnt as Implementing Partner
to STDF/PG/682 “Piloting the use of TPA Programme in Central America (Belize
and Honduras) to improve food safety” Project.
§_ Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) (TBC)
§_ Canadian-funded SafeGrow Project Viet Nam (TBC)
§_ Other speakers (TBD)
Followed by Q&A session and discussion moderated by
UNIDO.
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5. Next
steps: scaling public-private partnerships by addressing gaps identified
through vTPA pilots (1.5 hours)
The
vTPA pilot initiatives had different levels of success in terms of piloting
the approach itself. However, they have led to several lessons learned and
the identification of potential gaps, creating challenges for developing
countries in participating in food trade under equal terms. Some challenges
can be addressed through technological innovation, but others would require
more strategic public-private engagement to overcome shortcomings related to
the costs of international vTPA programmes or the lack of auditors. The vTPA
approach has shown promising results in terms of optimizing public resources
but there are still shortcomings in terms of data standards to ensure
structured data sharing among actors.
Speakers: TBC
§_ Codex Alimentarius Commission
§_ National regulator
§_ UNIDO
§_ Safe
and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE)
§_ Red tractor scheme
Followed by Q&A session and discussion
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[1] These include a project in Central America (Honduras and Belize)
led by IICA, a project in West Africa (Senegal and Mali) led by UNIDO, and a
project in East Africa (Rwanda and Uganda) led by Land O'Lakes Venture 37.