Consumer groups call for food trade tracking database

20 February 1998

Consumer groups call for food trade tracking database

CONSUMERS International has called for an international trade database to prevent unfit food rejected by one country being dumped elsewhere.

The umbrella body for 225 consumer organisations around the world said the
need was urgent because of actions by countries such as Australia to privatise
food inspection. It fears inspection under the new regime will be less rigorous
than before.

It will present a formal proposal for the database at a Codex Alimentarius
meeting starting in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday.

It is linking the need for a database with the trend for “equivalency
agreements” such as the deal under negotiation between the European Union and
the United States to recognise each others hygiene inspection rules for meat. It claims such agreements could jeopardise inspection standards.

• Financial Times 20/02/98 page 3