CONTENT
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Introduction
The elaboration of a Policy Note on International Standards and Food Safety was identified as a priority activity of the first Theme (T1 = Vision and Strategy) of the first ALive Three-Year Action Plan (TAP1 / 2004-2007).
This note follows the standard elaboration process of the ALive policy notes, composed of 4 steps namely (1) redaction of the initial draft ( draft 1), (2) internal peer-review, (3) E-discussion and (4) regional workshop for its validation (
see detailed process
).
We are currently in the third stage (E-discussion) of the elaboration process. The objectives, organization, companion documents and chronogram of the E-discussion are detailed below.
The ultimate stage (regional workshop) will be held in Addis Ababa September 17, 2007. Detailed information regarding this workshop will be timely posted on the ALive website. Please note that the ALive Policy Notes are living documents, intended to be reviewed once a year to take into account the latest developments of the international/regional context (WTO standards for instance), since they may have an influence on the recommendations provided. The electronic mailbox (
e-discussionfoodsafety@alive-online.org
) - specifically put in place for this E-discussion - will remain functional, so that participants can continue reacting and commenting on the topic.
Reminder: Policy notes objectives / E-discussion objectives
- ALive Policy notes objectives
- ALive Policy notes objectives (
click
)
- E-discussion objectives
The step of the E-discussion allows, on the basis of the initial draft of the policy note (draft 1 / steps 1 and 2 completed) the consultation and participation of a wide audience of livestock specialists dedicated to livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa, on a specific topic.
During this step, the following outputs are expected :
(i) confirmation of the diagnostic / situation report established in Draft 1 (diagnostic is generally consensual and not to be further debated);
(ii) confirmation of the main bottlenecks identified in Draft 1; identification of additional botllenecks in some cases;
(iii) identification of possible recommendations and political options to address the above mentionned issues.
The search for consensual options will be initiated at this stage, and pursued in depth during the regional workshop.
(iv) identification and gathering of initiatives (projects / programs) relating to the topic, in order to complete the on-going livestock portfolio review in sub-Saharan Africa, also part of the ALive TAP1 ( see
ALive livestock portfolio review
).
International Standards and Food Safety : key issues
Four main key issues (K) have already been identified during the first elaboration stage (redaction Draft 1) of the policy note dealing with International Standards and Food Safety:
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K1: Importance of international standards in the strategies on food safety in sub-Saharan Africa;
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K2: Which strategy to improve food safety in sub-Saharan Africa?
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K3: Are the 'Guide de Bonnes Pratiques en Hygiène' (best hygienic practices) important tools of the strategies on food safety in sub-Saharan Africa?
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K4: Which role could the States play in the implementation of the food safety policies?
These 4 key issues will be weekly debated during the E-discussion. They will be detailed and explained when discussions are officially launched.
E-discussion Organization
Each key-issue (see above) will be debated over a week period according to the following schedule :
- Monday week x : launching of the discussions on a given key issue (K1 --> K4);
- Monday to Friday: discussion time for the participants;
- Monday week x+1: summary of the discussions of the past week = (i) confirmation of the main bottlenecks / identification of additional ones in some cases; (ii) outlines for an initial consensus in terms of political options and recommendations.
Participants are invited to send their comments at :
e-discussionfoodsafety@alive-online.org
, specifically dedicated to the e-discussion on International Standards and Food Safety.
Nota bene:
- This planning is indicative. At any time, participants can react on any key issue, should it be already discussed or not;
- Participants are also invited to endorse / discuss the discussion summary provided every week (support or not to the proposed consensus).
E-discussion time-table
The e-discussion will take place over 4 weeks = from August 6 to September 3, according to the following time-table:
- Monday August 6 --> official launching of the e-discussion on International Standards and Food Safety;
WEEK 1
- Monday August 6 --> General review of Draft 1; Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 6 - Friday August 10--> time for discussion
- Monday August 13 --> summary of discussion week 1.
WEEK 2
- Monday August 13 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 13 - Friday August 17 --> time for discussion
- Monday August 20 --> summary of discussion week 2.
WEEK 3
- Monday August 20 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 20 - Friday August 24--> time for discussion
- Monday August 27 --> summary of discussion week 3.
WEEK 4
- Monday August 27 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 27 - Friday August 31--> temps de discussion
- Monday September 3 --> summary of discussion week 4.
- Monday Seotember 3 --> Closing of the E-discussion on International Standards and Food Safety;
Nota bene:
Please note that a 2nd e-discussion relating to Trade and subsidies policies will take place at the same time (
more information on this E-discussion
).
The e-discussion will take place over 4 weeks = from August 6 to September 3, according to the following time-table:
Support document to the E-discussion : Policy Note Draft 1
List of participants
List
Please note that this list is indicative and can be completed at any time : any person will to participate in the E-discussion can subscribe at
Secretariat of ALive
.
Reversely, any person who does not want to participate in the E-discussion and receive the emails can be withdrawn from the list by a simple request at
Secretariat of ALive
Additional information
- the E-discussion animation is performed by M. Francois Gary, from Phylum (
- the E-discussion animation is performed by M. Francois Gary, from Phylum (
contact M. Gary
).
- the E-discussion is financed by ALive (multi-donor trust fund).
RESULTS of the E-DISCUSSION
The results of the E-discussion (K1 --> K4) will be weekly posted on this page. The participants will be able to find information on :
- detailed key issues;
- number of comments received per week;
- weekly discussion summary.
A final report will also be posted on this page, once the E-discussion is over (around September 7).
Dear All,
As announced in the message below dated Friday August 3, we are launching today the firstseries(out of 4) of discussions on 'International Standards and Food Safety of animal products'.
All information regarding this E-discussion is available on the ALive website (
click
).
K1: IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATINAL STANDARDS THE IN FOOD SAFETY STRATEGIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA:
Question 1: What should be the importance of international standards? (Objectives to reach or common methods to design strategies adapted to sub-Saharan Africa?)
Question 2: How to better involve (i) sub-Saharan Africa Experts in the elaboration of standards? (ii) Sub-Saharan Africa normalization bodies?
Question 3: How tolimit the proliferation of privatestandards which exceedinternational standards and therefore hamper international trade?
Question 4: How to define food safety objectives adapted to the African context?
- should they build on international standards?
- should some regional standards be created?
- should a specific risk analysis adapted to the African context be developed? If yes, how? By who? How to mutualize this risk analysis at the regional level?
The first draft of the Policy Note is attached below to serve as a basis for the discussions. We would also appreciate your general comments on this draft.
Launching message WEEK 2 (Aug 13)
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Topics from discussion Week 1 to be debated:
At the end of Week 1, one specific question comes out from the discussion Week 1 and is proposed to be discussed Week 2:
- According to you, what are the priority steps in terms of livestock products food safety in sub-Saharan Africa, in order to align food safety objectives with international standards?
- Could livestock product food safety be regarded as an International Public Good? Why? What would be the consequences on international policies?
K2 : WHICH STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (Recommendations 4 to 9):
K2 : WHICH STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (Recommendations 4 to 9):
Question 1: Should the whole supply-chains be controlled (from up to downstream) or only sanitary controls on final products are sufficient?
Question 2: If risk management all throughout the entire supply-chains is necessary to access specific markets, how to put in place such risk management (from animal feeding to distribution to the consumers)? Should specific supply-chains with specific control procedures be put in place to access demanding markets such as export markets?
Question 3: How to build on supply-chains able to comply with high sanitary standards to ‘drive’ all supply-chains towards a better sanitary level?
Question 4: What could be the role of the consumers and their associations to exert pressure towards the improvement of the products food safety? |
Launching message WEEK 3 (Aug 20)
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K3:
SHOULD THE ELABORATION OF ‘GUIDE DE BONNES PRATIQUES D’HYGIÈNE’ (GBPH / BEST HYGIENIC PRACTICES) BE THE FOUNDING BASIS FOR THE FOOD SAFETY STRATEGY? (RECOMMENDATION 8)
Question 1: How to implement HACCP method in African supply-chains composed of many informal sector firms / factories?
Question 2: How to develop and circulate GBPP within livestock supply-chains?
Question 3: How to develop the training of supply-chains actors? How to modernize processing methods?
Knowledge sharing
During this discussion, please remember to share success stories in food safety management (GBPH, HACCP plans, specific approaches carried out by some actors,…). Which could be referenced on the ALive website (internet link, scientific note,..)
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Launching message week 4 (Aug 7)
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K4 - HOW CAN STATES FAVOR AND DEVELOP FOOD SAFETY POLICIES? (recommendations 10 to 13)
· Question 1: How to modernize the regulation legislation?
- What are the principles to structure the regulation legislation on food safety?
- What is the role of local institutions?
- How do States can develop a harmonized legislation to make trade easier on a local level?
· Question 2: How to modernize control services?
- How to set up new inspection methods?
- How to modernize these control services?
· Question 3: How can States modernize supply-chains to get a better food safety?
- What is States support?
- Are there any supports forbidden to supply-chains?
· Question 4: How can local authorities (CDEAO, CEMAC…) support States to develop their policies in food safety?
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