Page 56 - Trade and Food Standards

FAO has implemented many training courses over the years aimed at developing groups of well- qualified food-hygiene trainers, in collaboration with relevant academic and private sector institutions. FAO also provides and mobilizes technical resources to support such expertise development.
Traceability is an important component of food- safety management strategy along value chains. However, in many developing countries, the fragmentation of supply chains creates significant challenges to achieving traceability.
Food inspection and certification systems are on the frontline of enforcement programmes. By leveraging its member country networks, FAO has been able to make extensive knowledge and experience in food-inspection best practices available to those countries seeking to strengthen their systems. FAO has made manuals available to support enhanced risk-based inspection of food imports, fishery products and meat products. FAO
has also provided a number of online tools to support the design and implementation of sampling programmes. Risk-based food inspection includes facilities inspection, verification of compliance with established good practices, and end-product sampling. Diagnostic capacity is recognized as a key element of compliance infrastructure.
However, laboratory capacity development must put adequate focus on the sustainability of these expensive assets. This includes ensuring and enabling procedures and policies in areas such as cost recovery and procurement, as demonstrated in the Chile case study (see page 46).
Optimizing the impact of investment in capacity development
The evolving nature of capacity development for food standards means it has no definitive end- point. What is certain is that it requires a starting point, robust planning and consistent investment.
Swaziland Livestock Information and Traceability System
FAO applies its extensive knowledge of food chain and food systems to develop integrated and sustainable solutions to food safety issues along the food chain. In recognition of this expertise, the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture requested FAO to develop Guidelines on Animal Identification and Traceability. These Guidelines serve many purposes, including supporting the traceability of foods of animal origin, and were validated by a series of country pilot projects.
Several countries have turned to FAO for support in developing their capacities to implement
multipurpose animal identification and traceability systems. One such project, implemented through FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, established the Swaziland Livestock Identification and Traceability System (SLITS), which has improved traceability and disease control, enabled accurate residency determination and swift quarantining of disease outbreak areas, and facilitated the determination of catchment areas for export.
In addition, SLITS has made certification with the EU and other international and regional markets possible.
Source: FAO
44 Trade and food standards
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