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Food safety standards for international trade need to stress sustainability, according to Member States’ agricultural ministers, in order to help address environmental challenges and changing consumer expectations regarding health, food and nutrition.
In the conclusions approved at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in February, ministers recognised the crucial role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in facilitating the transition to sustainable food systems, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to maintaining high standards and fair practices. The Codex Alimentarius ("food code") is a set of standards, guidelines and codes of practice facilitating consumer health and fair trade. They cover a many different agri-food matters related to CAP funding support such as animal feed, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition and labelling, and pesticides.