6. The Committee noted the recommendations of the Commission concerning activities related to risk analysis. The Committee was informed that a Workshop convened in the Netherlands to discuss the use of risk analysis for food additives and contaminants had made several recommendations which were discussed by the Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants. These recommendations would be taken into account to prepare a discussion paper on the application of risk analysis principles in the work of the Committee (ALINORM 99/12, paras. 12-13).
7. The Delegation of the United Kingdom, expressing the views within the European Union, made the following remarks concerning the matters arising from the Commission: there was general support for the application of risk analysis principles; improved procedures were needed to achieve consensus in the decision-making process; a wider review of the relevance of scientific and other legitimate factors should be carried out; the status of Codex texts should be carefully considered as to its relevance in the framework of WTO.
8. In reply to a question, the Secretariat indicated that the Chairman of the SPS Committee had replied to the request of the Commission concerning the status of Codex texts in relation to the SPS Agreement, and that this question would be considered by the Executive Committee. The Committee further noted that the questions related to consensus, consideration of other factors, and the status of Codex texts would be discussed by the next session of the Committee on General Principles.
9. The Committee supported the principle that decisions should be taken by consensus in Codex, especially in view of the importance of Codex texts in the framework of WTO, and that all efforts should be made to achieve this objective in the CCGP. It was also important to consider thoroughly the issue of other legitimate factors, in particular consumer concerns.
10. The Committee noted that Committee on Food Hygiene had forwarded the Proposed Code of Hygienic Practice for Packaged (Bottled) Drinking Waters to Step 5 of the Procedure, with the understanding that further discussion was required on some sections of the Code. The Delegation of France pointed out that this document provided a good example of a constructive risk-based approach, which had allowed the Committee to reach consensus on complex issues.
11. The Committee was informed that the last session of the Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables had decided not to proceed with the conversion of the Regional Standard for Vinegar into a world-wide standard, but to refer it to CCEURO for revision as the format and the methods of analysis should be updated.
