Updated Survey of National Food Control Authorities
24. In addition to the information provided in the documents above referenced, the Delegation of France indicated that a new Agency for scientific assessment would be established very soon to coordinate scientific work carried out by different bodies in relation to food safety, and that further review of the food control system was underway.
25. Following a question by the Delegation of Hungary on the need for advice on the harmonization of food control procedures and systems, the Committee noted that FAO had published a series of training manuals covering all essential aspects of food control.[3]
26. The Observer from the EC informed the Committee of the changes in the structure of the European Commission on food legislation, the management of scientific committees and food and veterinary inspection at the Community level.
2) Exchange of Information on Import/Export Matters
27. The Committee was informed of the activities of an informal forum called Food Law Enforcement Practitioners (FLEP). The Delegation of Spain pointed out that the Committee should be open also to information from other international organizations of the same type. The Secretariat indicated that invitations to the regional Committees were sent to all international organizations participating in the work of Codex. The Committee was informed that FLEP, whose secretariat is currently held by the Netherlands, operated as an informal network for exchange of information and cooperation between officials responsible for enforcement in the European Economic Area (EU and EFTA). Its objectives were to facilitate the solution of practical food control problems in order to obtain uniform practices throughout countries of the European Economic Area. The Committee noted that other countries outside the EEA might attend FLEP meetings as Observers and this was the case of some countries of Central and Eastern Europe like Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
28. The forum has carried out several projects through the use of workshops focusing on different matters of interest such as HACCP, future challenges in food control, etc. The Delegation of the Netherlands invited countries interested in these activities to provide a list with addresses; subsequently the Netherlands would send them information on FLEP.
29. In reply to a question on the status of FLEP in the CCEURO, the Delegation of the United Kingdom, expressing the views of several delegations, explained that this was an informal body which offered a useful forum for exchange of practical information on actual food import/export problems, the interpretation and enforcement of regulations. The Delegation of Spain emphasized that this informal forum was not habilitated to interpret legislation. The Committee noted the work being undertaken on cooperation in practical enforcement matters and indicated its wish to continue being kept informed about such activities.
