Developing and Improving Food Safety and Pesticide Monitoring (PRM) Programme - FAO Regional Perspective

Transcription

1 Developing and Improving Food Safety and Pesticide Monitoring (PRM) Programme - FAO Regional Perspective at Workshop on Development of Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme in Asian Countries Beijing, China (21-22 July 2015) Ms. Shashi Sareen Senior Food Safety & Nutrition Officer FAO Regional Office for the Asia & the Pacific shashi.sareen@fao.org

2 Contents 1 Introduction to food safety 21 Significant issues related to pesticide residues 3 Importance of PRM from regional perspective 4 Status of PRM programme in Asia 5 FAO regional activities 6 Some challenges

3 Introduction Globalization - increasing demand by consumers for variety of foods Creation of global market - transboundary movement and trade of food across countries imports/exports Potential for spread of contamination high with increasing challenges & risks to consumer health & safety Quality, health, safety, environmental issues, labelling, food fraud incidents acquiring global focus Governments mandate to ensure health & safety of populations (ensure safe food supply) risk-based concept is important risk analysis FAO has an important leadership role in advancing the food safety agenda in the region including risk concept

4 A Snapshot of Q & Safety Residues/contaminants (pesticide residues) Pathogens & spoilage microorganisms Zoonotic diseases Technology issues nanotech, GMOs Physical contaminants Persistent organic pollutants eg dioxins Food allergens Labelling & claims incorrect, BB date Fraud

5 Significant issues related to pesticide residue High pesticide residues affect:. Food safety and health of consumer - long term health impacts Impact market access national/regional/international Increase food losses/wastes (destructions) resulting in decreased food availability, lower stability and utilization Have economic implications both public health and others Impact consumer confidence and national reputation negatively

6 Significant issues related to pesticide residue Market access: pesticide residue requirements MRLs) are increasingly important in trade Meet the international standards (Codex) and importing countries requirements for pesticide residue level Rules & disciplines for imposing standards/ measures by countries laid down in Non-tariff Agreements WTO SPS & TBT Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are the upper legal levels of a concentration for pesticide residues in or on food or feed based on GAPs and to ensure the lowest possible consumer exposure./ toxicological acceptability

7 SPS Article 3 Harmonization Encourage use of international standards Food safety & Animal health Plant health Animal health & zoonoses Codex OIE IPPC SPS permits higher standards based on risk assessment Max limit for pesticide residues ~3700; covering 250 pesticides Codex texts, available at Codex homepage :

8 Importance of PRM from regional perspective Agro-products: important food and export products for Asian countries According to FAOSTAT data, the export value of Asian fresh fruits and vegetable was about 6.2%-8.5% of its export value of total agricultural products during Source: FAOSTAT Fig. 1 Production and Yield of Vegetables Primary in Asia during

9 Importance of PRM from regional perspective Source: FAOSTAT Fig. 2 Production and Yield of Fruit Primary in Asia during

10 Importance of PRM from regional perspective However, It s often reported that overuse of pesticides is causing pollution and food safety problems long term health impacts Many exporters in this region find it difficult to meet the market demand on safety. The economic losses of trade rejection caused by high pesticide residues are considerable Increased food losses/wastes (destructions) Impact consumer confidence and national reputation negatively. Monitoring and controlling pesticide residue in food is an important step for food safety management

11 Importance of PRM from regional perspective Role of PRM provide useful information to assess the safety to consumers, and protect the credibility of exporters residue monitoring data can also provide the basis to modify or taking enforcement action for food safety management

12 Status of PRM programme in Asia Many countries have developed food safety regulations, and some are linked to pesticide residue issues; Certain countries are implementing PRM especially for exports, for example, India, Korea, Thailand, China

13 Status of PRM programme in Asia However, the enforcement generally remains weak, and pesticide residue monitoring plans have been developing very slowly. In many countries, the regulatory schemes are systematic. But in practice, there are gaps between the policies and implementation. The lack of facilities and trained analysts does not allow proper monitoring.

14 FAO s Regional Food safety & Quality Programme - Approaches Food chain approach hazards may arise at different stages of the food supply Preventative risk-based approach is followed rather than a reactive one based on sampling & testing (GAP, GMP, HACCP) Sound national food control & regulatory systems essential standards & implementation - Codex standards referenced as baseline in SPS Agreement Roles and responsibilities for food safety - all actors in the food chain namely- farmer or producer, processor, handlers, government, consumer

15 FAO s Regional Food safety & Quality Programme Around projects/ programmes on food safety & quality (national/ regional) & tools & GL developed Broadly cover: Food safety policies, legislation, governance (including coordination mechanisms) SPS/standards & norms/ Codex related activities Enforcement/surveillance-inspection, testing, FBDS Food safety in various agro food supply chains (including street foods/ retail); linkage to primary production Food safety emergency management/ recall systems Certifications and accreditation Trainings/ awareness/ education

16 FAORAP s activities Activities related to food safety and pesticide residue Monitoring of FAO in Asia Regional & country projects Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) Standards & Certification Scheme (SAARC) Support to CB & Implementation of International Food Safety Standards in ASEAN Countries (ASEAN) Promotion of rural development through development of Geographical indications at regional level in Asia (GMS) Evidence-based food safety decision making & policy development using multi criteria approaches, with Thailand as a pilot country Enhancing Lab Capacity on Food Safety in Primary Production (Thailand) Improving food safety & Institutionalization of Food Safety in Bangladesh for safer Food (Bangladesh) Enhancing SPS Capacity of Ginger Exports through PPP and Policy assistance for bio-secure agro-food supply chain (Nepal) Strengthening SPS capacity for trade improving safety & Q of fresh vegetables through value chain approach (Vietnam)

17 FAORAP s activities Activities related to food safety and pesticide residue Monitoring of FAO in Asia other activities Training manual on Implementing ASEANGAP in the fruit and vegetables sector (2014) Regional Consultation on Guidelines for Development of Food Safety Policies for Countries in Asia (Bangkok, 2012) Regional Consultation on Enhancing Inter-ministerial Coordination for Strengthening Food Safety (Bangkok, 2015) Regional Training on Enhancing Risk Communication In Food Safety (Bangkok, 2015) Technical Training on Risk Analysis for SAARC Countries (India, 2013) Technical WS on Chemical Risk Analysis in the Food Chain (Beijing, 2013) Training WS on Food recall and traceability -Application in National food safety control: (Thailand, 2013) Strengthening Capacity in Data Collection and Generation for Food Safety Risk Analysis (Japan, 2013) Guidelines for risk categorization of food & food establishments (ASEAN, Bangladesh) Guidance for Harmonizing Pesticide Regulatory Management in SE Asia (Bangkok, 2012) Implementation, Monitoring and Observance of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (Bangkok, 2005)

18 Important Challenges in Pesticide Residue issues in the Region Lack of suitable infrastructure p.r test labs insufficient/ inappropriate Lack of systematic monitoring system/ programmes Lack of data on monitoring & surveillance, poor data sharing Links b/w PP & processing food chain Cross cutting area - coordination whose role Increasing concerns related to food & risks associated with the p.r new hazards Awareness at different levels - government, research institutes, farmers Training at various levels - administration, technical & producers

19 Some regional publications on food safety Workshop reports Guidance documents Case studies

20 Important websites FAO Food Safety and quality home page Web page on Vet & Public Health, Feed & Food Safety; Emergency prevention & early warning in area of food safety (EMPRES Food Safety): INFOSAN International food safety authorities network for dissemmination of important global food safety information INFOSAN Community Network *FAO Regional office for Asia and the Pacific *Capacity Building and implementation of international food safety standards in ASEAN countries Food retail network in Asia

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