Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BUCHAREST1467
2005-06-30 09:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC) SESSION:

Tags:  EAGR ECON TBIO RO 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 001467 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE/BILL SILKWORTH, EB/JACK BOBO
USDA PASS FAS/AUDREY TALLEY
USDC PASS ITA/HILL
SOFIA FOR AGRICULTURAL ATTACHE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON TBIO RO
SUBJECT: CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC) SESSION:
ROMANIAN RESPONSES TO USG CONCERNS REGARDING NEXT SESSION

REF: State 113408

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 001467

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE/BILL SILKWORTH, EB/JACK BOBO
USDA PASS FAS/AUDREY TALLEY
USDC PASS ITA/HILL
SOFIA FOR AGRICULTURAL ATTACHE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON TBIO RO
SUBJECT: CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC) SESSION:
ROMANIAN RESPONSES TO USG CONCERNS REGARDING NEXT SESSION

REF: State 113408


1. FAS Bucharest passed Reftel demarche to the following
government officials in the Romanian Veterinary and Food
Safety National Authority (VFSNA): Dr. Liviu Rusu, General
Director of the General Food Safety Directorate; Monica
Neagu, Director, Division for Standards, Marks and Food
Quality, National Codex Contact Point; Dr. Paul Piscoi,
Director, Hygiene and Public Health Directorate.


2. GOR officials submitted comments to a number of USG
concerns as follows:
-- Rules-based decision making/geographic indicators (e.g.,
parmesan cheese): VFSNA considers that all issues related to
commercial brands/geographic indicators and other
intellectual property should be debated within WHO (World
Health Organization) and World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) meetings. New work to elaborate a codex
standard for parmesan cheese is justified to the extent to
which it would eliminate trade barriers and/or for consumer
safety considerations. In accordance with the requirements
laid down by CAC Procedural Manual fourteenth edition, the
proposal to develop a Codex standard should be accompanied
by a Project comprising the justification, the purpose and
the objectives. In VFSNA's opinion, it is advisable that,
considering the latest technological and scientific
developments, the Codex standard for "Extra Hard Granting
Cheese" adopted in 1978 (Stand C-35-1978) to be considered
for updating.
-- New work on animal feeding: Romania is currently
adopting guides of practice for animal feeding. In order to
be able to accurately assess the recently adopted Codex Code
of Practice on Good Animal Feeding, VFSNA supports the view
of the United States that undertaking new work at this time
is not appropriate and member countries should be allowed
more time to investigate their current situation relative to
the Code of Practice.
-- Antimicrobial resistance: Romania believes that the
appropriateness of the United States proposal on the
formation of a working group comprised of delegates from
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene and Codex Committee on
Residues from Veterinary Drugs should be discussed with the
World Animal Health Organization (OIE).
-- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/WHO Project and
Trust Fund for Enhanced Participation in Codex: VFSNA also
considers that, rather than simply using economic criteria,
other considerations should be taken into account to support
those countries that would most benefit from participation
in Codex. The United States' initiative to organize
workshops prior to the working sessions is beneficial in
explaining what is expected of delegates, what are the Codex
mechanisms, as well as in structuring common opinions over
different items on the agenda.
-- Cadmium: Romania also supports adoption of the
maximum levels for cadmium in wheat grain; potato; stem and
root vegetables; leafy vegetables; and other vegetables, as
per the proposed Codex standard, as these are also in
accordance with the domestic legislation. Romania adopted
as maximum levels for cadmium of 0.2 mg/kg in polished rice,
respectively 1 mg/kg for marine bivalve mollusks and in
cephalopods (without viscera),in the process of adopting
national standards to the EU requirements. Romania's
official position is that maximum levels for cadmium in
polished rice should be set up should take into
consideration the specific production and processing
conditions of each country, as well as the extent to which
each country plays a part in international trade.
Discussions on a possible acceptance of maximum levels for
cadmium set up higher that the current provisions should be
based on a complex risk assessment conducted by independent
bodies and in consultation with WHO and UNICEF regarding
special rice-based food for infants, as well as with world
consumer protection NGOs.
-- Aflatoxin in tree nuts: Romania supports the United
States' stance on brazil nuts. For setting the maximum
aflatoxins level in unprocessed almonds, hazelnuts and
pistachios, the admissible limit for human consumption
should be taken into consideration, based on science-based
independent research work.
-- Possible U.S. candidate for Vice Chair of Codex:
Romania's representative to CAC meeting welcomes the
opportunity to consult with the U.S. delegation prior to the
session. Items raised by the United States in Reftel
talking points are of interest to Romania.


3. Ms. Monica Neagu, National Codex Contact Point, will
represent Romania at the upcoming session of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission.
Delare