THE ROLE OF THE CODER ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION IN SETTING FOOD STANDARDS AND THE SPS AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

The Coder Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was established in 1962 to implement the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The objectives of the CAC include the protection of the health of consumers and the assurance of fair practices in the food trade. There are currently 150 member countries in the CA C. The recent work in the GA TT Uruguay Round regarding sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures has had considerable impact on the work of the CAC. With the adopted SPS measures agreement now a reality the standards adopted by CAC dealing with food additives, pesticide residues, contaminants and veterinary drug residues assume a new dimension. The adoption also of the revised GATT Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement (TBT) also places increased emphasis on Coder. In addition, the work of the new CAC Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems will have far-reaching implications for the future trade of food.