"The work of the international commission that develops analytical and food-sampling methods, set up fifty years ago, is of extreme importance to ensure that safe, high quality and healthy foods reach the tables of consumers all over the world", stated Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas at the opening ceremony of the four-day conference of the Codex Alimentarius Commission's Select Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) in Budapest. Over two hundred foreign and Hungarian food safety experts accepted the invitation of the organiser, the National Food Chain Safety Office (NFCSO), to attend the event.

According to the Minister of Rural Development, the fact that Hungary has hosted the Select Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling since 1972 is a joint achievement; this is the 28th time that we have had the opportunity to facilitate the work of the Committee. The regulations and directives developed within the framework of the Codex Alimentarius (the "Food Book") form the basis for the monitoring of the requirements determined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement). The work of the Commission is equally important to all member states, including Hungary, because it forms the basis for international trade in safe and good quality foods", said Sándor Fazekas.

In addition to the successful work completed within the Codex Alimentarius, the Minister highlighted the excellent cooperation between Hungary and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Hungary provides financial and professional support for FAO projects in developing countries, in addition to providing grants for students from low income nations to train at agricultural universities in Hungary.

The Codex Alimentarius was established in 1963 by two of the UN's specialised organisations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is responsible for developing standards, codes of practice and guidelines that provide a framework for a safe and high quality food supply, and for fair trade in foods. One of the most important select committees of the Codex is the Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling. The Codex Alimentarius was established exactly 50 years ago, placing increased attention on this year's conference in Budapest. A memorial meeting will be held on March 5 to mark the organisation's golden jubilee, at which the Chairman of the National Food Chain Safety Office Márton Oravecz will greet those present, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission's Vice-President Awilo Ochieng Pernet, who is in Hungary for the Conference, will hold a lecture.

Information on the Conference can be found on the NFSCO website.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)