REP11/PR JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME ...

REP11/PR 16
148. The Committee noted that several signatory countries of the Stockholm Convention had not yet ratified the revision of Annex
A and that decisions taken at the Convention did not have an immediate effect on the work of the Committee on Pesticide Residues
which should follow the procedures laid down in the Procedural Manual, i.e. Risk Analysis Principles applied by CCPR, for the
revocation of CX MRLs or the conversion of Codex MRLs into EMRLs.
149. A number of delegations informed the Committee that uses of lindane for agricultural purposes are prohibited in their
countries. Some of these delegations noted that, as this compound is a persistent organic pollutant in the environment (e.g. soil),
presence of lindane in foods may warrant monitoring.
Conclusion
150. The Committee agreed that, because lindane is prohibited in certain countries and is also persistent in the environment,
member states should monitor presence of lindane in food commodities and to provide data to JMPR within a period of 2 years for
JMPR to review the monitoring data in 2015 prior to decision of conversion of MRLs to EMRLs.
DISCUSSION PAPER ON JMPR RESOURCE ISSUES IN THE PROVISION OF SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO CCPR (Agenda Item
13a) 21
151. The Delegation of the United States of America presented the discussion paper on the resource issues faced by JMPR, as
requested by the 42 nd Session of the CCPR and also referred to information and comments provided by the 2010 JMPR (General
Consideration, section 2.1). The Delegation highlighted that the demand on JMPR has increased in recent years and the resource
constraints are limiting the number of reviews able to be completed each year with the review schedule for new chemicals is
expected to be at capacity up to 2014.
152. The discussion paper identified three primary issues of concern: funding, the availability of expertise, and the timing/frequency
of JMPR meetings. The Committee noted that this increase in demand is indicative of the success of the process improvements that
have been implemented in the past several years by the CCPR and the improved decision-making process in CCPR. The Committee
agreed that lack of funding and the availability of expertise must be addressed before any of the options suggested in the paper
could be implemented (such as holding more frequent meetings and Increasing the number of experts.)
153. Various opinions presented at the discussion on the points raised in the paper. The JMPR Secretariat mentioned that there is
an option for member countries to provide targeted funding for JMPR under the Scientific Advice Initiatives.
Conclusion
154. The Committee concluded that the CCPR itself could not solve the problem, but need to be addressed at high level.
155. The Committee agreed that the JMPR resource issues should be raised by the member countries of FAO and WHO at the
highest level possible, and that member countries could express their concerns at the next session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission.
156. In light of the large number of compounds eligible for periodic review, the Committee agreed that, the electronic Working
Group on Priorities should consider ranking them on the basis of health risks to assist setting the priority list at the next meeting.
ASSESSMENT OF MRLS FOR PESTICIDES IN TEA (Agenda Item 13b) 22
157. The Committee was informed that the FAO Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea has proposed to change the risk
assessment associated with in the establishment of MRLs of pesticides in tea and the analytical methods used to identify the
presence of pesticides in tea from the leaf to brew, or to pay equal attention to both, the leaf and brew, to provide correct and direct
information to consumers as tea was used to make an infusion in water in most cases. The Committee noted that the rationale for
this proposal was presented in CX/PR 11/43/16.
158. The JMPR Secretariat noted that transfer of residues into tea infusion is already part of risk assessment and information on
standard procedure of testing methodology and relevant scientific studies (in particular processing factors) would be welcome. The
Secretariat also advised that MRLs are set on tea leaves, not on tea brew as the leaves are the product commonly and
internationally traded.
159. Some delegations informed the Committee that tea was an important crop in their countries and they might submit data and
information if requested.
21 CX/PR 11/43/15. Comments from Kenya (CRD 5) and Australia (CRD 26).
22 CX/PR 11/43/16.