Tonga joins SWP Codex to strengthen regional food safety and trade [1]
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - 18:40. Updated on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - 19:26.
Twelve Codex member countries, including Tonga, attended the first South West Pacific (SWP) Codex Outreach Workshop in New Zealand, from 8-9 November, to further shape science-based international food standards, that help protect consumers and support trade.
Government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forest – Tonga, joined together with Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Kiribati and Nauru, in the two-day workshop.
Codex is the international intergovernmental body, recognized by the World Trade Organisation, that sets food standards to protect the health of consumers and promote fair practices in food trade.
It is designed to foster increased involvement and participation in Codex across the region.
The workshop discussed the needs of the region to ensure standards developed in Codex in the future, are reflective of the needs of our region and make a positive impact on food safety and trade in the Pacific.
The SWP Codex is funded by the US Codex Office (USCO) and the Codex Program of the Australian Government (DAFF – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), which is implemented by the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), in collaboration with Landolakes – Venture 37, and in partnership with the Codex Contact Points of Australia and New-Zealand.