Samoa National Codex Strategic Plan 2017-2021

SAMOA NATIONAL CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN , 2017-2021 ~ - .,...._... __ --- ---- -~ .· 0|Page ACKNOWLEDGMENT This plan required huge amounts of effort and dedication. Still, it would not have been possible if we did not have the support of individuals and our fellow stakeholders. Therefore, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all of them. First of all we are thankful and grateful for the help and assistance of our Samoa National Codex Committee, Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) and all our stakeholders for their input in developing the Strategic Plan. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the EIF for their continuous support in funding the plan through consultations, printing and launching. . ,,, Ii•• ,, Enhanced \!~'E(F Integrated ~ • ___Fr_ar_ ne_w_or_k 1|Page Contents INTRODUCTION: ............................................................................................................. 3 VISION: ........................................................................................................................ 4 MISSION: ..................................................................................................................... 4 VALUES: ....................................................................................................................... 4 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1 ................................................................................................. 5 Rationale: Increased harmonization of regulatory standards, policies and practices related to food would contribute to protection of the health of consumers and ensuring food practices in the food trade nationally. ................................................ 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: Promote effectiveness and improve coordination of codex members in the activities of Codex Alimentarius Commission and the CCNASWP region. ......................................................................................................................... 7 Rationale: The participation of all codex members is critical to sound decision- making and ensuring issues identified as being significant at the national level take into account of the full range of interest and viewpoints of members. ............................ 7 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: To encourage and strengthen scientific, technical expertise, information and capacities of members in the development of codex standards. ... 7 Rationale: The exchange of scientific and technical expertise/ information will contribute to enhancing the scientific basis of the various food control measures in the country. ................................................................................................................. 7 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: To promote the development and enhancement of the capabilities of the National Codex Contact Point (CCP), the SNCC, delegates and stakeholders on their core functions and to expand the engagement with the public on Codex updates. ............................................................................................................... 8 Rationale: Enriched knowledge of CCP, SNCC, delegates and the public will assist in the efficiency of all works related to Codex consequently promoting health and fair trade. ........................................................................................................................................ 8

2|Page INTRODUCTION: The term Codex refers to the outputs and activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The words Codex Alimentarius derives from Latin meaning “Food Code” or the set of laws/ rules for food. CAC was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations in 1963. The CAC’s main objective is to develop international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Commission also promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations; has published elaborated standards as Codex worldwide or regional standards and amends publishes standards in the light of new developments. Considering the technical and often complex nature related to codex issues, Samoa has been taking steady progressive steps towards strengthening of codex related issues at the national level and in line with internationally prescribed principles. In progressing on this path, and noting Samoa’s commitment to improving design and implementation of Codex standards and principles that closely align to international best practice tailored to domestic needs, it was agreed that a Strategic Plan is designed to guide Samoa’s National Codex Committee (SNCC) in critical initiatives that will need to be implemented within a five year timeframe. The Strategic Plan is aligned to support the global Codex Strategic Plan within a five (5) year time frame, and seeks to achieve better coordination and interaction among member countries for strengthening national food safety systems, promoting compliance of standards and equivalence of practices in ensuring food safety. It is anticipated that if effectively implemented, the plan would result in increased capacity development which would enhance the level of participation and the technical quality of contribution to Codex work, as well as to raise the capacity for the utilization of Codex standards for strengthening of food safety control systems and ensuring the protection of domestic consumers and consumers in Samoa. It is also the intention of the Strategic plan to facilitate the advancement of the mandate of the Codex Alimentarius Commission during the period 2016-2020 in a nationally tailored format. The work of Codex is critical to evolving the objectives of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement). The SPS and TBT are harmonizing and mutually reinforcing and provide a strong framework of rules and disciplines for technical standards and regulations at national and international levels. The roles and work of Codex are aligned to the Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) and contribute to the achievements of the fourteen (14) Key Outcomes and Strategies of which are linked directly to Codex, Key Outcome 2 “Re-invigorate Agriculture”, Key Outcome 3 “Revitalized Exports”, Key Outcome 5 “Enabling Environment for Business Development” and Key Outcome 6 “Healthy Samoa”. The Samoa’s National Codex Committee (SNCC) in the development of its Strategic Plan outlines its vision, mission, values and strategies of how it will contribute to the development of Samoa. The functions of Codex closely links to legislations namely the Food Act 2015, Food Regulations 2016 and the Competition & Consumer Act 2016 which governed food standards and consumer protection 3|Page VISION: Promote health and fair trade locally and internationally MISSION: Promotion and coordination of food standards and encourage new standards for locally made products/ imported products and other products to ensure food safety. VALUES:  Integrity: Promoting food standards that uphold the public health leading to satisfying all our stakeholders and partners.  Engagement: We appreciate the insight of our stakeholders and partners and create information- sharing opportunities to inform and guide our activities.  Innovation: We support innovative technologies and their associated standards that enable sustainable agricultural production and increased food safety and food security.

4|Page STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: To promote use of codex standards, codex and guidelines as the basis for national standards development. Rationale: Increased harmonization of regulatory standards, policies and practices related to food would contribute to protection of the health of consumers and ensuring food practices in the food trade nationally. Activities Responsible Estimate Time Expected Measurable Parties Budget Frame Outcome Indicators/Outpu (in ts thousand s of Tala) Develop new standards All Members 40 2017- Codex standards Input from and revise existing of Codex 2021 and national members standards as needed, in standards. identifying and response to needs concentration on identified by Members the needs of and in response to people specifically factors that may affect for (Breadfruit, food safety and fair Cocoa, other practices in the food existing health trade. standards) Enhancing the All members 15 2017 Enhanced ability 1. Enhanced understanding of of Codex of Codex to understanding members on codex develop of codex standards/ guidelines. standards standards and relevant to needs guidelines.’ of all Codex 2. Maintenance of members. transparency between codex standards and national standards. Increase awareness on All Members 50 Quarterly  Increase 1. Increased the importance and of Codex (2017- meeting by inputs in the significance of Codex 2021) relevant development of amongst relevant stakeholders/p people’s stakeholders and the ublic. comments. public.  Increase consensus on 2. More codex issue by awareness all members programs on quarterly basis conducted 5|Page ~~~~43::::--=~ ~~ =-- ~~ ~~-~~- =::;;-t~}P~~~.Q>~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~-- ~~~~ ~~~~ .~~~ ':;;ilia- ~ -~ -:::::~-~ 1~- .....

Responsible Estimate Time Expected Measurable Party Budget Frame Outcome Indicator/ Output (in thousands of Tala) Lobbying for Codex 10 Ongoing Increased and 1. The number of financial Contact Point (2017- enhanced activities hosted by contributions from and SNCC to 2021) participation in the codex committee the Codex Trust coordinate activities and of relevance to Fund and other with the CTF enhance the codex and the sources of funding level of region. including from the development 2. Increase in sources SNCC Members initiative. of funding used to to support the increase planning and participation at development of Codex meetings. SNCC initiative. Continue to hold All members 8 Ongoing Strengthened Regular meetings held regular meetings of Codex (2017- communication with maximum of the SNCC to 2021) and awareness participation of all discuss issues and of the codex members. updates of the issues from Codex. time to time. Promote regional Members 10 Ongoing Enhanced Increased networking networking with lead (2017- networking of CCPS/ delegates in among Codex from the 2021) with exchange the region. Contact points/ contact point. of emails and delegates to other improve communication communication channels. and share experiences on codex and related issues. Members to All members 10 Ongoing All members All members submit participate in of Codex (2017- sharing and written comments on working groups 2021) exchanging issues of interest to and to submit their written them. written comments comments to on subjects inform and relevant to assist in national and formulating and regional food creating safety. national positions/views. 6|Page ~~~~43::::--=~ ~~ =-- ~~ ~~-~~- =::;;-t~}P~~~.Q>~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~-- ~~~~ ~~~~ .~~~ ':;;ilia- ~ -~ -:::::~-~ 1~- ..... STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: Promote effectiveness and improve coordination of codex members in the activities of Codex Alimentarius Commission and the CCNASWP region. Rationale: The participation of all codex members is critical to sound decision- making and ensuring issues identified as being significant at the national level take into account of the full range of interest and viewpoints of members. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: To encourage and strengthen scientific, technical expertise, information and capacities of members in the development of codex standards. Rationale: The exchange of scientific and technical expertise/ information will contribute to enhancing the scientific basis of the various food control measures in the country. Activities Responsible Estimate Time Expected Measurable Indicator/ Party Budget Frame Outcome Output (in thousands of Tala) Identify and SROS and 40 Ongoing Local issues that Technical expertise/ prioritize issues MOH and CCP (2017- required information and guidance that occurred 2021) scientific on the critical emerging within Samoa research and issues of interest in data, when there is a evidence generation, collection, need for scientific identified with analysis and storage research/ evidence. solutions identified. prescribed. Research on codex All members of 5 Ongoing Improved Number of shared links links/ site Codex (2017- capacity on guiding members for ease information. 2021) codex standards/ of access to information issues. related to codex. Conduct trainings/ All members of 50 Ongoing Ensure and Increase in numbers of workshops to Codex (2017- facilitate trainings conducted on develop capacity 2021) appropriate specific areas of interest and expertise trainings and related to codex matters. within codex workshop members. courses. Encourage the All members of 30 Ongoing Increase 1. Increase in local communication Codex (2017- knowledge and networking among and sharing of 2021) understanding on members. experiences development 2. International training amongst members related to codex opportunities on codex and with other issues. issues identified. member countries. 7|Page ~~~~43::::--=~ ~~ =-- ~~ ~~-~~- =::;;-t~}P~~~.Q>~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~-- ~~~~ ~~~~ .~~~ ':;;ilia- ~ -~ -:::::~-~ 1~- .....

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: To promote the development and enhancement of the capabilities of the National Codex Contact Point (CCP), the SNCC, delegates and stakeholders on their core functions and to expand the engagement with the public on Codex updates. Rationale: Enriched knowledge of CCP, SNCC, delegates and the public will assist in the efficiency of all works related to Codex consequently promoting health and fair trade. Activities Responsible Estimate Time Expected Measurable Indicator/ Party Budget - Frame - --- ·-· Outcome Output ~ (in thousands -- -· - - <" ~of Tala) I Conducting regular CCP ,_ 10 Quarterly All members to Increase in attendance of I -- ., I meetings of the SNCC ' r' (2017- participate and members in SNCC meetings. I ) - ,,_ I I 2021) engaged in Codex / I \ I _- meetings. I Develop a budget for All members '"' 50 (2017- I Active participation - Increase in numbers of activities Codex activities, __......,,,~- of Codex ....... - : 2021) of SNCC members achieved and implemented I I .I 1 including participation at I I in Codex activities ' before reviewing of Codex Trust ----~ I ,, CCNASWP (and other ~.,,.~-- ; I and strengthened Fund. •I - •. ... i ' relevant Codex '1 II partnership with r 11 Committees, which are ' relevant I • J ' <C identified) and have it - organizations that- - -- ' - -~-- ~ -- - - I ~ ~- - - approved by the I ·- can assist in terms .\ I / I committee. - of funding. 7 J I Develop and implement CCP 10 (2017- Strengthened Regular updates of the website a Codex page on the "'\..'-] I 2021) networking of on codex related issues. -- -- . relevant Ministerial SNCC members I', website (where the CPP ,_ . through exchange of I' I , [ I is located), and a contact information via J ~ through to the CCP for email and other all stakeholders. '· communication. channels. Regular reporting of All members 8 Quarterly Members are Regular report on activities in I Codex activities (by of Codex (2017- effective meetings, where appropriate. I CCP or SNCC etc.), and I 2021) participation and I \ ·, ----- - reports made available - reporting to CCP in - 1· . internally or on the web. -, a timely manner. Research on relevant CCP 10 Ongoing Enhance Avail links for ease of access and Codex issues and (2017- understanding and encourage local interacting of - - -- -- I encourage coordination , {'' 2021) learn from other Codex members and other with other Codex I members updates II members and the public members I Encourage engagement All members I 20 Quarterly Improve work of I Increase awareness programs. with the public of Codex (2017- Codex 2021) understanding of Codex members I I '\ from public’s 'I., .,.. feedback I I 8|Page ~~~~43::::--=~ ~~ =-- ~~ ~~-~~- =::;;-t~}P~~~.Q>~ ~~~ ~~ ~-- ~~~~ ~~~~ .~~~ ':;;ilia- ~ -~ -:::::~-~ 1~- .....~~~

ANATI M SAME $AMOA ASSOCIATION OF MA.NUFACTIJR RS & XPORTER WomenInBusiness Development SAMOA Ministr of atural Resources 0 and En irnmen t Mataga) uega o le Puna'oa int rnationa aalcnatura ma iosiomaga accreditati ____...;.n.;..;e;;..;w.;.. ze land Ministr of Agriculture and Fishe ries wa-t-er -for Ufe,- su avai mo le ola 9|Page SAMOA CODEX CONTACT POINT MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & LABOUR 3rd Floor, ACC House P.O.Box 862 Apia, Samoa Tel: (685) 20441 Fax: (685) 20443 Email: codex.samoa@mcil.gov.ws (MCIL) Fair Trading and Codex Alimentarius Division 10 | P a g e ~ ~---..... . ~~- : : . ~ ..~1k~ .~ ~ -=- ~~€-~ -=--~~iR~:!!!!ii;;;;; ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~- ~-~ ,~ . ·S:. ~--9:?e,- . ~ ~~~ ~ ~-s- ~ ~ 11 | P a g e , a- i, lf 12 | P a g e