Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) 47 draws to a close and we celebrate new leadership

We congratulate the 47^th session of Codex Alimentarius Commission and all it has achieved for food standards and trade facilitation during its meeting last week in Geneva.  We welcomed the adoption of the CAC report, the establishment of many MRLs for different pesticides/crop combinations and the appointment of new leadership.

Enabling Trade and Innovation through Multilateral Cooperation, a private sector event organised in the margins, gave representatives from the grains, inputs, pulses, dairy, canola, animal health the opportunity to thank Codex Chair, Steve Wearne, for his great work and engagement with us over the years and to welcome Mr Allan Azegele to the role.  Not only is Codex unique and the only international body that establishes global standards in food, but the session reminded us of the importance of the cross-cutting relationships that Codex has with both the WHO and WTO prioritising health and ensuring that food traded is safe. Codex is unique and continues to be instrumental in setting standards which serve as global benchmarks in all areas of the world, advancing food security and nutrition. 

Basing international standards on the latest scientific advice is key to help deal with all the emerging challenges and to ensure that the food traded is safe. The cornerstone of Codex’s success is the fact that science forms the basis of its decision-making. As we look forward to the development of Codex Strategic Plan for 2026-31, the private sector “Coalition for an Enhanced Codex” representing farmers and traders, acknowledges the ever-increasing workload and emerging challenges.  We continue to call for greater resourcing of Codex, more scientific experts and sustainable financing. 

We reaffirm our commitment to continue to engage and support work at Codex based on latest scientific advice and look forward to working with the new leadership team.