Host Government: Switzerland

At the 33rd Session, the Commission agreed to re-establish the ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force to develop science-based guidelines or standards based the following terms of reference:

Terms of Reference

1. The development of guidelines, intended for governments on how to apply the existing Codex risk assessment methodologies to the various types of hazards related to contaminants/residues in feed ingredients, including feed additives used in feedingstuffs for food producing animals. The guideline should include specific science-based risk assessment criteria to apply to feed contaminants/residues. These criteria should be consistent with existing Codex methodologies.
   
   The guidelines should also consider the need to address the establishment of rates of transfer and accumulation from feed to edible tissues in animal-derived products according to the characteristics of the hazard.
   
   The guidelines should be drawn up in such a way as to enable countries to prioritise and assess risks based upon local conditions, use, exposure of animals and the impact, if any, on human health.
   
2. Develop a prioritised list of hazards in feed ingredients and feed additives for governmental use. The list should contain hazards of international relevance that are reasonably likely to occur, and are thus likely to warrant future attention.
   
   In doing so, due consideration should be given to the prioritised list of hazards as recommended by the FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Animal Feed Impact on Food Safety. Clear criteria should be used to prioritise the list of hazards and take account of the potential transfer of contaminants/residues in feed to edible animal products (e.g. meat, fish meat, milk, and eggs).

Time Frame
The Commission agreed to a time frame starting in 2011, two sessions with an option of a third session, if required, to complete the work on the above terms of reference.

U.S. Delegates
For a list of Committee and Task Force delegates, go to
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/us-codex-alimentarius/committees-and-task-forces/us-delegates-and-alternate-delegates/CT_Index

Contact Information
U.S. Codex Office
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: (202) 205-7760
Fax: (202) 720-3157
Email: USCodex@fsis.usda.gov

Delegate's Report of the 6th Session of the Task Force held Feb 20-24, 2012 in Bern, Switzerland

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