CONFIDENTIAL
THE NINTH MEETING OF THE ACCSQ PREPARED FOODSTUFF PRODUCT WORKING GROUP (PFPWG) 11-12 June 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
INTRODUCTION 1. The Ninth Meeting of the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group (PFPWG) was held from 11-12 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting was preceded by the APRIS II Workshop on the Implementation of the ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements on 8-9 June 2009, the 1st Meeting of the Task Force on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards on 9-10 June 2009 and 1st Meeting of the Task Force on Development of MRA on 10 June 2009 at the same venue. 2. The Meeting was chaired by Prof. Dr. Dedi Fardiaz, Senior Expert of Food Safety, National Agency for Drug and Food Control, Republic of Indonesia and co-chaired by Ms. Metanee Sukontarug, Secretary General of the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. 3. The Meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. Staff members of the ASEAN Secretariat and a representative of the ACCSQ WG 2 from Thailand were also in attendance The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
OPENING CEREMONY 4. Ms. Metanee Sukontarug, Secretary General of the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand welcomed the delegates to the 9th PFPWG Meeting. She highlighted the key success of work programme of the PFPWG were on the transparency in development of MRA and harmonisation of standards for prepared foodstuff. She emphasised on the need to accelerate the effort of the PFPWG to achieve MRA to support the achievement of the ASEAN Economic Community. She wished a success to the Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 1: 5.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The Meeting adopted the revised agenda which appears as ANNEX 2.
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AGENDA ITEM 2: 6.
BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT
The Meeting was held in plenary.
AGENDA ITEM 3:
UPDATES ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION INITIATIVES IN ASEAN
7. The ASEAN Secretariat briefed the Meeting on the recent developments in economic integration initiatives in ASEAN as well as the relevant decisions made at the ASEAN Summit, SEOM and ACCSQ meetings, which include the ASEAN Charter, AEC Scorecard, ATIGA, ASEAN Trade Facilitation Work Programme and ASEAN FTAs. The ASEAN Secretariat information paper appears as ANNEX 3. 8. The Meeting discussed on the AEC Scorecard for Prepared Foodstuff and agreed to revise the AEC Measures and target date in particular accordingly. The Meeting was of view that this revision was subject for further review. The revised AEC Scorecard appears as ANNEX 4. 9. The Meeting noted the information from the ASEAN Secretariat that food safety is a shared responsibility of industry, consumers and government. The Meeting considered the following issues in developing a common regulatory framework for prepared foodstuff: ASEAN needs to have adequate control for import of safe food ASEAN needs to stimulate growth through acceptable food safety requirements. ASEAN needs a common regulatory framework from farm to table. 10. The Meeting requested the ASEAN Secretariat to prepare a paper on the above issues (paragraph 9) to be tabled at the next PFPWG Meeting for consideration. The Meeting further requested the ASEAN Secretariat to seek possibility to engage some experts to give more guidance on development of a common regulatory framework for prepared foodstuff. The Meeting agreed that a common regulatory framework need to take into account at the existing work of other ASEAN Bodies. FOLLOW UP FROM THE 8TH MEETING OF THE PREPARED FOODSTUFF PRODUCT WORKING GROUP (PFPWG)
AGENDA ITEM 4:
11. The PFPWG Secretary briefed the Meeting on the action taken on matters arising from the 8th PFPWG Meeting which was held from 21-22 August 2008 in Palembang, Indonesia. The PFPWG Secretary’s information paper appears as
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CONFIDENTIAL ANNEX 5. The Meeting agreed to discuss the pending issues from the last meeting under the specific agenda items below.
AGENDA ITEM 5:
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON EXISTING STANDARDS, TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AMONG MEMBER STATES
12. Thailand presented to the Meeting on the progress of the ASEAN Consultative Network under ASEAN Food Safety Network website (www.aseanfoodsafetynetwork.net). The Meeting was informed that the website could be utilized as necessary, taking into account that several information and activities have been completed and offered on the website which includes: Meetings and events menu, Meeting report menu, List of focal points, Mailing list system. Thailand’s presentation appears as ANNEX 6. 13. The Meeting was informed that Thailand would provide username and password to the contact point of each Member State to upload and update their information as necessary. The Meeting requested Member States to update and provide the contact points and submit it to Thailand by 30 June 2009. 14. Thailand requested each contact point to update the relevant information on prepared foodstuff regulatory regime among Member States, as well as the link with the concerned institution.
AGENDA ITEM 6:
REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON HARMONISATION OF PREPARED FOODSTUFF STANDARDS
15. The Chair of the Task Force on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards reported to the Meeting on the outcome of the 1st Meeting of the Task Force on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards which was held on 910 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The progress report appears as ANNEX 7. 16. The Meeting endorsed the Terms of Reference of the Task Force on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards which was discussed and amended by the Task Force. The ToR appears as ANNEX 8. 17. The Meeting was informed that draft report of the first meeting of the Task Force will be circulated to Member States by 30 June 2009 for their inputs and endorsement. 18. The Meeting was also informed that Indonesia will develop the action plan of the Task Force and circulate it to Member States by 12 July 2009 for their inputs and consideration for the next meeting. Member States were requested to submit their inputs to Indonesia by 12 August 2009. 19. The Meeting noted that the Task Force agreed to hold their future meetings back to back with the PFPWG meetings and the invitation to the Task
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CONFIDENTIAL Force meetings would only be addressed to the members of the Task Force for the effectiveness of the Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 7:
REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON DEVELOPMENT OF MRA
20. The Chair of the Task Force on Development of MRA reported to the Meeting the outcome of the 1st Meeting of the Task Force on Development of MRA held on 10 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting was informed that draft report of the first meeting of the Task Force will be circulated to Member States by 30 June 2009 for their inputs and endorsement. 21. The Meeting endorsed the Terms of Reference of the Task Force which was discussed and amended by the Task Force. The ToR appears as ANNEX 9. 22. The Meeting noted that the 1st draft of the ASEAN Sectoral MRA for Prepared Foodstuff Product had been discussed and amended by the Task Force. The Meeting noted that the ASEAN Secretariat would refine the 2nd draft of the MRA and circulate it to Member States by 1 July 2009. The Meeting requested Member States to provide comments on the refined draft of the MRA to Thailand by 30 September 2009. 23. Thailand would compile the comments received and together with Malaysia to further develop the draft of the ASEAN Sectoral MRA for Prepared Foodstuff Product taking into consideration the comments received from Member States. The draft of the ASEAN Sectoral MRA for Prepared Foodstuff Product will then be submitted to the PFPWG for their endorsement by March 2010. 24. The 2nd draft of the ASEAN Sectoral MRA for Prepared Foodstuff Product appears as ANNEX 10. 25. The Meeting noted that the action plan of the Task Force had been developed and circulate at the Task Force meeting. The action plan appears as ANNEX 11.
AGENDA ITEM 8: 8.1
HARMONISATION OF TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements 8.1.1 APRIS II Workshop on Implementation of ASEAN Common Food Control requirements
26. ASEAN Secretariat briefed the Meeting on the conduct of the APRIS II Workshop on Implementation of ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements which was held on 8-9 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. 27. The Meeting was informed the objective of the workshop was to establish a common understanding and interpretation of the ASEAN Common Food
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CONFIDENTIAL Control Requirements and assess the implementation status of the common requirements in ASEAN. 28. The Meeting noted that the outcome of the workshop will be circulated by the ASEAN Secretariat to the PFPWG upon availability. The Meeting requested Member States to provide feedback on the implementation of the ACFCR and other issues to be done for the implementation. 8.1.2 Implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for Food Hygiene
29. Thailand updated to the Meeting on the initial finding on the status of the implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for Food Hygiene among Member States including the implementation gaps, which appears as ANNEX 12. 30. The Meeting noted that not all Member States had submitted their feedback to Thailand. The Meeting was of the view that the final findings from the survey could not be completed as not all Member States provide their response to Thailand. 8.1.3 Implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food
31. Malaysia briefed the meeting on the status of implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food. The Meeting noted that not all Member States responded to the survey. The submission from those Member States appear as ANNEX 13. 32. The Meeting was of the view that the final findings from the survey could not be completed as not all Member States provide their response to Malaysia. 33. Malaysia informed the Meeting that during the APRIS II Workshop on the Implementation of the ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements (ACFCR) held on 8-9 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand, they discussed the gaps faced by Member States in the implementation of the ACFCR. 34. Nevertheless the discussion at the workshop highlighted the need for Member States to provide feedback and update, Member States were urged to review their legislation in light of the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food. The Meeting was also informed that the workshop discussed on the need to update the document to take into account developments in Codex. It was recommended that stepwise implementation could be carried out looking at minimum number of elements in the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food, prioritizing foods for compliance and prioritizing certain elements such as date of minimum durability, expiry date, lot number. The Meeting was informed that the workshop also discussed on the need for training in determining expiry date.
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CONFIDENTIAL 8.1.4 Implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles for Food Control Systems
35. Indonesia updated to the Meeting on the initial findings from the implementation of the ASEAN Common Principles for Food Control Systems among Member States, which appears as ANNEX 14. 36. The Meeting was informed that not all Member States had submitted their feedback to Indonesia. 37. The Meeting raised concern on the lack of the response received from Member States on the survey of monitoring the implementation of ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements (ACFCR). In this regard, the Meeting discussed and agreed that the Lead Countries to re-evaluate the survey tools by elaborating the questionnaire covering the relevant issues into details, taking into account the elements to be measured by the AEC Scorecard. The Meeting requested the Lead Countries to circulate the updated questionnaire to Member States by 1 July 2009. The Meeting requested Member States to provide their inputs on the updated questionnaire by 1 August 2009. 38. The Lead Countries will then revise the questionnaire taking into consideration the inputs received from Member States and circulate it for their completion. Member States were requested to fill the questionnaire and submit to the Lead Countries before September 2009.
8.2
Import-Export Certification and Registration Procedure
39. Indonesia updated the Meeting the survey for developing a guidance document for harmonised import-export inspection and certification system, based on the existing Codex document “Guidelines for the Development of Equivalent Agreements regarding Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems”. The compilation of the survey appears as ANNEX 15. 40. The Meeting was informed that the final findings from the survey could not be completed as not all Member States had provided their response to Indonesia. 41. Considering the lack of the response received from Member States on the survey conducted, the Meeting discussed and agreed that Indonesia was requested to re-evaluate the survey tools by elaborating the questionnaire covering the relevant issues into details, taking into account the elements to be measured by the AEC Scorecard. The Meeting requested Indonesia to circulate the updated questionnaire to Member States by 1 July 2009. The Meeting requested Member States to provide their inputs on the updated questionnaire by 1 August 2009. 42. Indonesia will then revise the questionnaire taking into consideration the inputs received from Member States and circulate it for their completion. Member States were requested to fill the questionnaire and submit to the Lead Countries before September 2009.
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8.3
HACCP and GMP Certification Systems
Requirements
and
Inspection
and
43. Thailand presented to the Meeting the status of drafting the guidance document for the Inspection and Certification Systems using the Codex Guidelines on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFIS). Thailand’s information paper appears as ANNEX 16. 44. The Meeting discussed the 1st draft of the guidance document and agreed that Member States to provide their comments on the draft to Thailand by 30 September 2009. The 1st draft guidelines for ASEAN Audit and Certification of Food Hygiene and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) appears as ANNEX 17. 8.4 Food Fortification
45. Philippines updated the Meeting on the food fortification regulations for the labelling requirements and the form of the food fortificants among Member States, which appears as ANNEX 18. 46. The Meeting noted that only six Members responded to the survey. The Meeting noted that food fortification regulations were varied among Member States. In this regard, the Meeting agreed that the issues on food fortification will be integrated under the ASEAN Common Principles and Requirements for Labeling of Prepackaged Food.
AGENDA ITEM 9:
TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FOOD SAFETY IN ASEAN
9.1
ASEAN Reference Laboratories (ARLs)
47. The ASEAN Secretariat briefed the Meeting on the conduct of the APRIS II Regional Workshop on ARLs which was held on 23-24 March 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The mission report of the workshop appears as ANNEX 19. 48. The Meeting noted that the ASEAN General Handbook on Testing Services for Agro-based Products had been circulated to Member States. 49. Malaysia as the Secretariat of AEGFS presented to the Meeting the coordination of laboratory work in ASEAN by the AEGFS. Malaysia as ARL for GMO also presented work carried out by the Department of Chemistry Laboratory in fulfilling its role as an ARL for GMO. The Meeting was informed that AEGFS would use the initial capacity building efforts in ARL/NRL by EC-ASEAN to further enhance and consolidate the role of ARL’s. The Member States were informed on the need to establish NRLs to complement the establishment of the ARL. The Meeting acknowledged the need for coordination of ARL/NRL efforts in ASEAN.
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CONFIDENTIAL 50. Indonesia informed the Meeting that the proposal for the establishment of the ARL for anti-nutrients and food-additives were still being developed for further consideration by the PFPWG. 51. The Meeting recalled the decision of the 8th PFPWG Meeting that the progress of the ARLs as well as the status of networks with relevant laboratories will be reported to the PFPWG. In this regard, the Meeting requested Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam to liaise with the focal points of the respective ARLs to get the information on the progress and status of network of the respective ARLs and report it to the PFPWG Meetings. 9.2 ASEAN Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (ARASFF)
52. Thailand updated the Meeting on the status of the implementation of the ASEAN Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (ARASFF), which appears as ANNEX 20. 53. Considering that its TOR for the circulation of information is only for official contact points and based on an agreement among the national contact points in compliance with the respective laws of Member States, the meeting noted on the need to keep the confidentiality of the ARASFF.
AGENDA ITEM 10: UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE ASEAN BODIES RELATED TO AGRO-BASED SECTOR 10.1 Updates on the activities of the ASEAN Task Force on Codex (ATFC) 54. Lao PDR briefed the Meeting on the outcome of the 8th ATFC Meeting held on 2-4 June 2009 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The information paper appears as ANNEX 21. 55. The Meeting noted that in response to the results of the 8th PFPWG Meeting, the ATFC recalled that in line with the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the ATFC, revised in 2003, the scope of ATFC only covers the harmonization of national regulatory standards of Member States with Codex standard. 10.2 Updates on the activities of the ASEAN Expert Group on Food Safety (AEGFS) 56. Malaysia briefed the Meeting on the latest development in the activities of the AEGFS. Malaysia’s presentation appears as ANNEX 22. 57. The Meeting noted that each Working Group dealing with food safety issue in ASEAN had their own program and priorities which some of them would be cross cutting each other, while line of reporting was also different. Malaysia further informed the Meeting that the scope of works the AEGFS would focus on capacity building
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AGENDA ITEM 11: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE PREPARED FOODSTUFF SECTOR 58. The ASEAN Secretariat updated the Meeting on the status of the implementation of technical assistance under the framework of the APRIS II for the agro-based sector. The ASEAN Secretariat’s information paper appears as ANNEX 23. 59. The Meeting was informed that two activities: Regional Workshop to evaluate inspectors’ understanding of technical regulations and Training on Risk Analysis and Management were planned to be held back-to-back with the next PFPWG Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 12: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ASEAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON FOOD SAFETY 60. The ASEAN Secretariat updated the Meeting on the progress made on the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Food Safety (ACCFS). 61. Chair of PFPWG reiterated the chronology of the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Food Safety for the purpose of streamlining the relevant Working Group dealing with food safety issue. The presentation of Chair appears as ANNEX 24. 62. The Meeting was of the views that the roles, functions, membership and reporting mechanism of the ACCFS should be discussed among the Chairs and Co-Chairs of the ASEAN Bodies related to Food Safety. In this regard, the Meeting requested the ASEAN Secretariat to facilitate the convening of another meeting among the Chairs and Co-Chairs of these ASEAN Bodies related to Food Safety and the respective desk officers of the ASEAN Secretariat to further discuss these issues.
AGENDA ITEM 13: OTHER MATTERS 13. 1 The ToR of PFPWG 63. Considering the tenure of the PFPWG would be finish on August 2009, the Meeting agreed to extend the next three years period of PFPWG. The Meeting agreed to continue the chairmanship of Indonesia and Thailand as Chair and Cochair of the PFPWG respectively. 64. Noting the challenges faced in the process of integration of food sector in ASEAN and also to accommodate the recent progress of the establishment of the two task forces, the Meeting agreed with the proposal from the ASEAN Secretariat to revise the ToR and circulate it to Member States by 30 June 2009 for their inputs and consideration.
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AGENDA ITEM 14: WORK PROGRAMME 65. The Meeting agreed that the PFPWG Secretary to revise the work programme and circulate it to Member States by 1 July 2009. Member States were requested to provide comments to the PFPWG Secretary by 1 August 2009.
AGENDA ITEM 15: DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING 66. The PFPWG Secretary presented to the Meeting on the time table of the PFPWG meetings. In order to facilitate Member States in planning their budget to attend and/or convene the meetings, the Meeting agreed to indicate the tentative venue of the future meetings. Timetable of the PFPWG meetings appears as ANNEX 25. 67. Considering the venue of the 10th Meeting of the PFPWG was not confirmed yet, the Meeting agreed that the Chair of PFPWG to send the letter to Member States to seek their confirmation to be host. The Meeting agreed that in the absence of any ASEAN Member States to host the 10th PFPWG Meeting, the Meeting agreed to hold the Meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in November 2009. The ASEAN Secretariat will inform the Meeting of their availability to host the Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 16: ADOPTION OF REPORT 68. The Meeting considered and adopted the Report of the Ninth Meeting of the Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group held from 11-12 June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 69. The delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Viet Nam expressed their appreciation to Thailand, in particular the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, for the warm hospitality extended to them and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting. The Meeting also thanked the ASEAN Secretariat for the assistance and support provided. ---------****---------
The Meeting was held in the ASEAN traditional spirit of cordiality and solidarity.
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