Sep 28, 2015 - Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards (WP.7), the ... develops standards for meat, covering pro
Public meets/meats private Private sector - food safety verification programs Public sector - international standards
UNECE Symposium, Geneva, 28 September 2015 15:00 to 18:00 Palais des Nations Room VIII
Public meets/meats private Meat Symposium 28-09-2015
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Public meets/meats private, Geneva, 28 September 2015, 15:00 to 18:00 hrs
UNECE Meat Symposium 28 September 2015 “Public meets/meats private” Background United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has been for many years at the forefront of the development of internationally accepted meat specifications for international meat trade. Under UNECE’s Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards (WP.7), the Specialized Section on Standardization of Meat develops standards for meat, covering product and cuts descriptions, coding and labelling. Commercial agricultural quality standards are important for facilitating international trade, encouraging high-quality production, protecting consumer interests and improving producer profitability. In 2015, UNECE organized the first symposium on meat in connection with the annual session of its Specialized Section on Standardization of Meat, and provided an excellent platform for meat experts from around the world to discuss new developments and opportunities for collaboration. The global trade in meat operates within sophisticated, complex supply chains that rely on standards for meat quality (e.g. those developed under the auspices of UNECE) but also for food safety related standards such as those developed by Codex Alimentarius or the private sector. This is why in September 2015 UNECE will organize a follow-up event focusing on the interaction between the private and public sector in the area of food safety programmes. This symposium will once again be held in in Geneva in conjunction with the annual session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Meat (29-30 September 2015) which will discuss the development of standards and revisions to existing UNECE quality standards for meat and meat products (bovine and deer meat, processed meat products, and edible meat co-products). The session will also feature for the first time a discussion on bovine meat eating quality and consider the future work of the Specialized Section. Participants at the Symposium are also welcome to stay for the meeting of the Specialized Section. Purpose of the Symposium High quality and safe food production is critical in sustainable agricultural trade, in particular of meat. While quality standards and food safety standards are integral to the success of international trade, recent years have also witnessed a proliferation of food safety programmes in addition to public standards such as those developed by the Codex Alimentarius. This is providing increased opportunities but might also bring challenges to the meat industry. To increase efficiency of meat production and sustainable trade while safeguarding consumer interests, there appears to be a need for increased harmonization of standards both for quality and food safety. The purpose of the symposium on “Public meets/meats private” is to discuss recent developments related to food safety standards and management systems, their impact on the meat industry, as well as possibilities for increased harmonization of private and public standards and verification programmes to facilitate trade while safeguarding consumer interests. The event is open to public and private sector participation and will bring together experts from around the world including government representatives, researchers, producers, traders and exporters. UNECE is honoured to welcome distinguished speakers from GSFI, the Codex Alimentarius Commission as well as Cargill. The views from the meeting will provide input to the work of the UNECE Specialized Section on Meat, which is meeting in Geneva on 29-30 September 2015, and open to all participants as well.
The Programme Objective: To discuss recent developments related to food safety standards and management systems, their impact on the meat industry, as well as possibilities for increased harmonization of private and public standards and verification programmes to facilitate trade while safeguarding consumer interests. Chaired by: Mr. Ian King, CEO, AUS-MEAT Ltd., Australia, and Chairperson of the UNECE Specialized Section on Standardization of Meat Mr. Craig A. Morris, Ph. D, Deputy Administrator, Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture
15:00 – 15:15
Opening Opening address Ms. Virginia Cram-Martos Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade, Division, UNECE Introduction By chairpersons
15:15 - 16:15
The private sector - food safety and verification programmes The session will outline private food safety standards and verification programmes as well as their use by industry. Ms. Veronique Discours-Buhot Director, Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) Ms. Dr. Angie Siemens Vice-President Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory, Cargill
16:15 – 17:45
The public sector and CODEX - interaction of private programmes with public sector and international standards.
The session will discuss how private and public sector food safety regulations, especially Codex Alimentarius standards interact with private food safety programmes. Mr. Tom Heilandt Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
17:45 – 18:00 Wrap-up and Recommendations by the Chairpersons
Public meets/meats private, Geneva, 28 September 2015, 15:00 to 18:00 hrs
Getting Started Registration To attend the Symposium as well as the WP.7/GE.11 Specialized Section on Standardization of Meat, 28 - 30 September 2015, Geneva, Switzerland, registration is compulsory. Participants are encouraged to register online before 24 September. Please go to: https://www2.unece.org/uncdb/app/ext/meeting-registration?id=3naZt. and create your UNECE profile. If you have already participated in UNECE meetings, your profile may have some information pre-filled upon creation. You will be requested to enter the following code for the meeting: 45102. Once your profile and registration is completed, you will receive your conference registration form. Please print, sign and bring it along to Geneva, to show the registration desk. In case you are not able to access the online registration form, please send a mail to the secretariat at (
[email protected]) or fax to (+41 22 917 0037) requesting for the registration form.
Logistics The conference will take place on 28 September 2015 at meeting room VIII at the Palais des Nations, Avenue de la Paix 14, Geneva, Switzerland. Documents for the meeting are available on the website. In order to obtain your identity badge from the United Nations Security Services, you will need to present yourself at the security desk (Prégny Gate) with a valid passport or a national identity card, as well as the conference registration form. We advise that you to arrive at the Prégny gate around an hour before the meeting starts. Please count on a good 30 min queue to obtain your badge, and some 10 minutes to find your way to the meeting room, especially if you are not familiar with the Palais. For further information, please see: http://www.unece.org/meat2015.html#/
Public meets/meats private Geneva, Palais des Nations, 28 September 2015 Please contact us www.unece.org/trade/agr/welcome.html Liliana Annovazzi-Jakab Marit Nilses United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland E-mail:
[email protected]
Meat Symposium 28-09-2015
UNECE QUALITY STANDARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE
