FAO/OIE Regional Workshop on Food and Feed Safety in collaboration with DLD and JLTA Bangkok, Thailand, 19-22 July 2004
The Workshop on Food and Feed Safety was jointly organised by FAO and OIE in collaboration with DLD and JLTA, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 19-22 July 2004 to review the current situation of Food and Feed Safety in member countries and to set directions for food and feed safety programmes and concurrently to define the necessary areas where capacity building should be focused.
DLD: Department of Livestock Development, Thailand
JLTA: Japan Livestock Technology Association
The Workshop was successful with active participation by the attendees from member countries and with strong support by the resource persons, the host country Thailand and the collaborating organisations.
The Workshop was attended by 38 participants from 15 countries (Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, and Germany and France from which resource persons attended), representatives of private sector companies related to activities of food and feed safety and two International organisations; FAO and OIE.
The welcome addresses were delivered by Dr Hans Wagner, Senior Officer, FAO Regional Representation in Bangkok; Dr Teruhide Fujita, OIE Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific based in Tokyo and Dr Chaweewan Leowijak, Deputy Director General, Department of Livestock Development of Thailand.
The participating countries reported their current situations on general policies/strategies and legislation of food and feed safety, foodborne disease surveillance and monitoring, risk analysis, international participation and collaboration on food and feed safety, and major constraints to achieve measures to secure food and feed safety in their countries.
The special topics were presented by: Dr Suwimon, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand on "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)"; Dr David Wilson, OIE Paris on "Legal Framework on a Food and Feed Safety Programme with regard to Trade"; Dr Juliane Braeunig, German Federal Institute on "Risk Assessment for Codex Alimentarius and Import Risk Analysis related to Food and Feed Safety"; Dr Frank Urvan, TUV (private sector) on its tests and certification of food safety; and Dr Benigno, Jr. on private sector activities in livestock trade and food safety.
The participants visited the Thai DLD's Food and Feed Laboratory where the lectures on Requirements for a Food Laboratory (by Dr Sasithorn Kanarat) and on Requirements for a Feed Laboratory (by Dr Cherdchai Thiratinrat) were given.
The Workshop identified the following constraints against development of food and feed safety in the Region:
- Each member country increase training of personnel for risk assessment as well as for associated laboratory procedures.
- Member countries encourage and improve the collection of data for risk assessment for food and feed safety, for risk management and risk communication to stakeholders including the public.
- Member countries develop a mechanism of good harmonisation and coordination among different government authorities to achieve the target of effective development and enforcement of food and feed safety legislation.
- Member countries encourage their authorities and organisations including government, industry (feed and food processors, and livestock producers), research institutions and consumers to coordinate and collaborate with each other to secure effective development and implementation of legislation in terms of food and feed safety.
- Member countries undertake coordinated surveillance to maximise the availability of scientific data for risk assessment and for establishment or further clarification of food and feed safety standards, taking into consideration existing international standards, guidelines and recommendations.
- Infrastructure including well-equipped quality laboratories of the national government authorities be strengthened, for smooth food and feed safety inspection and testing, and for foodborne disease surveillance.
- Member countries be encouraged to base regulations on the international standards from Codex Alimentarius and OIE, and to use such concepts as GMP and HACCP to secure food and feed safety.
- International organisations including FAO, WHO and OIE continue extending their cooperation to member countries to further build capacity with regard to information collection/analysis, risk assessment, laboratory inspection and testing, foodborne disease surveillance, through regional meetings/workshops/seminars, training and other activities.
- Such international organisations work together closely for mutual interests in food and feed safety.
- Member countries in the Region develop a Food and Feed Safety Network, using FAO and OIE, to improve food and feed safety, through coordinated surveillance and risk analysis activities, laboratory procedures and information sharing.
- The above international organisations identify national institutes in the Region as Regional Collaborating Centers for food and feed safety in each of the identified disciplinary areas, to improve regional capacity.