Workshop on Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the Cambodian Food Control System In July 2024, FAEA, in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hosted a three-day workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The "National Workshop on Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the Cambodian Food Control System" brought together over 80 stakeholders from government, academia, industry and civil society to address the modernization of Cambodia's food safety system. The workshop focused on several key objectives: fostering information sharing, building capacity among stakeholders and improving coordination among multiple government agencies. Participants engaged in discussions, SWOT analyses and breakout sessions that identified challenges and developed actionable solutions to strengthen Cambodia’s food safety framework. Key achievements of the workshop included the formulation of an action plan for the continued modernization of Cambodia’s food safety system. The plan emphasized the creation of technical teams to develop new regulations, perform national risk assessments and establish coordinated inspection programs. The workshop also highlighted the need for interministerial collaboration and the involvement of experts from various sectors in the rule-making process. The event underscored Cambodia’s commitment to aligning its food safety regulations with international standards, protecting public health and enhancing the country's global trade capabilities. As a next step, FAEA will work with Cambodian authorities to refine and implement the action plan, ensuring that the proposed measures are practical, impactful and aligned with the nation’s development goals.

ABOUT US The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) was created in May 2004 to achieve greater cooperation and effectiveness in market access among meat, poultry, dairy, feed grains and soybean organizations and private sector agriculture input providers. The broad goal of FAEA is to enhance cooperation among those agriculture sectors in developing food and agriculture export markets through reduced Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) constraints for the benefit of the U.S. grains, oilseeds and livestock sectors. The FAEA mission is to advance international food and feed safety laws and regulations in accordance with science-based international standards. FAEA has identified non-tariff barriers, especially those related to food and feed safety, as an area of common concern to its stakeholders (e.g., Codex Alimentarius Commission recommendations and standards). Non-tariff trade barriers are an area that has become increasingly important as other forms of trade constraints are being eliminated through multi-party trade agreements or bilateral negotiations. FAEA is unique in its membership, combining resources of a diverse group of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP) participants, commodity groups, and private sector organizations that focus on food and feed safety goals through collective efforts. The FAEA activities have defined a new direction in cooperation among key components of U.S. agriculture. Collectively, FAEA members represent approximately 42% of U.S. agricultural exports. The application of non-scientific barriers to trade by foreign governments is common to all the products represented by FAEA members. The current members of the FAEA include: MAP Participants U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) U.S. Grains Council (USGC) USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Commodity Groups National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Private Sector Input Providers Elanco Merck Animal Health FAEA activities are funded through a combination of FAEA membership funds and USDA’s Market Access Program as a Global Based Initiative (GBI). FAEA’s GBI is submitted on an annual basis via the USGC’s Unified Export Strategy (UES). Kent D. Sisson Executive Director Food and Agriculture Export Alliance FAEA Staff & Partners Board Members Contact Us

The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) was created in May 2004 to achieve greater cooperation and effectiveness in market access among meat, poultry, dairy, feed grains and soybean organizations and private sector agriculture input providers. 01 Objective The primary objective of the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) is to proactively identify and comprehend the considerations of foreign nations and officials regarding the establishment, revision and enforcement of food/feed safety and animal health/production laws and regulations. The aim is to strategically intervene before any potential trade-restrictive barriers are enacted, ensuring smoother market access for U.S. agricultural products. 02 Strategy FAEA's strategy involves a meticulous process of identifying regions and nations where food/feed safety and animal health regulations are in the development or modification stages that impact the products represented by FAEA members. Priority is given to those markets that hold significant growth potential and where FAEA members have a vested interest in maintaining or expanding access. 03 Activities FAEA's approach includes four main categories of activities known as MICA: Management and Administration: FAEA Staff: Comprising three dedicated members who manage daily operations. Executive Director (ED): Leads the management and implementation of FAEA strategies and activities. Program Coordinator (PC): Assists in administrative and programmatic functions. Director of Codex and Global Affairs: Focuses on the execution of Codex-related strategies and initiatives. USGC Staff: Supports day-to-day administrative tasks and acts as a liaison with the Foreign Agricultural Service. FAEA Board Members: Ten board members and two U.S. Grains Council staff provide leadership, set priorities and evaluate organizational performance. Information Gathering, Analysis, and Intelligence Sharing: FAEA leverages its extensive network, including U.S. Government agencies, member staff and contractors, to collect, analyze and disseminate critical information. This process helps in influencing foreign legislation and ensuring that new regulations are science-based and do not constitute technical barriers to trade. Capacity Building Activities FAEA allocates resources to build technical capacity in target markets. This involves educating and training regulatory, health, and judicial decision-makers and staff in these countries through workshops and seminars. Local contractors are also engaged to facilitate these activities and provide timely updates on regulatory changes. Advocacy for Codex and Science-Based Standards FAEA conducts ongoing advocacy to support U.S. positions on international standards, such as those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, OIE and IPPC. The alliance sponsors officials to participate in critical Codex meetings and uses its networks to promote standards that facilitate fair trade. Continuum of FAEA Engagement Progress 04 Stage 01. Assess market needs & opportunities. Stage 02. Development of relationships through seminars/workshops. Stage 03. Engage SPS, TBT & Codex offices & policy developers, and those involved in legal & regulatory development. Stage 04. Comment on development of regulations. Stage 05. Transfer FAEA programs to FAEA members.

Download pdf

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS KEY DEVELOPMENTS Kenya Food Safety Success Story We will update this page periodically based on information that we receive and summarize from our network of FAEA contacts and sources in each of our program countries as well as from our Codex contacts.

Nigeria FAEA is committed to supporting Nigeria's efforts to enhance food safety standards and expand its agricultural sector's economic potential. Our strategy focuses on building technical capacities, engaging with stakeholders and advocating for effective regulatory frameworks that align with international standards. KEY INITIATIVES: Nigeria World Food Safety Day 2024 Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Regulatory Support: We provide expertise and input to the Nigerian government in implementing the pending Food Safety and Quality Law to ensure compliance with global standards. Capacity Building: Through training programs and technical support, we enhance the skills of Nigerian Food Business Operators (FBOs) to meet new food safety regulations. Stakeholder Engagement: We foster collaborations between government bodies, educational institutions and industry groups to create a unified approach to food safety and quality. Policy Advocacy: We support the establishment of clear and consistent regulations that support Nigeria’s public health and trade objectives. By focusing on these strategic areas, FAEA aims to contribute to the advancement of food safety and economic development in Nigeria. PROGRAM UPDATES

CODEX Codex Meetings Calendar Codex Worldwide, not all countries adopt or abide by Codex, World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards. In some cases, the standards are set without full knowledge and understanding of the science that supports or does not support them. In other cases, a country may adopt strict standards in order to protect domestic producers from competition with imported products. In both cases, the consequences can negatively impact trade (imports) and limit or negate access to those markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, including meat, poultry, soybeans, feed, feed grains and dairy products. Of course, this also can impact the use of inputs (e.g., vaccines, antibiotics, pesticides, feed additives, etc.) commonly recognized as safe for use in the production of animals and plants in the U.S. In those cases where a country establishes and enforces standards that are not science-based and/or trade-restrictive, FAEA works to educate the relevant authorities to influence changes through participation in committee meetings, workshops, seminars, and other venues so that they comply with internationally recognized standards and standards-setting bodies. FAEA gathers intelligence and reports on Codex issues of interest to FAEA members through its network of contacts in the U.S. and internationally. We use this information to intervene with education and other activities.

FAEA Staff & Partners Gina Tumbarello Executive Director LEARN MORE Anne Zaczek Global Programs Director LEARN MORE U.S. Grains Council Liaisons Kurt Shultz Senior Director of Global Strategies -USGC Sam Clemence Global Strategies Coordinator - USGC International Partners Kenya Rootooba Limited (M s. Charity Mutegi) Rootoba Limited, located in Nairobi, Kenya, is contracted with FAEA to coordinate and provide guidance and assistance to the Government of Kenya officials who are preparing legislation for the passage and implementation of a science-based and transparent Food Safety Law. Ms. Mutegi is representing FAEA in recommending, planning, and implementing FAEA sponsored technical assistance and education activities, workshops, conferences, and seminars that facilitate the drafting and completion of the legislation and subsequent implementing regulations. Ms. Mutegi has worked on food safety matters in Kenya and in the East Africa region, focusing on policy, technological solutions, and information dissemination. She has also contributed to drafting technical papers for the development of policy briefs for the East Africa Community and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Nigeria The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) The NESG is a think-tank organization that promotes sustainable growth and development in the Nigerian economy using research-based advocacy methods. The NESG was incorporated as a not-for-profit/non-partisan organization with a mandate to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, private sector-led economy that is globally competitive on a sustainable basis. The NESG currently serves as the host of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) National Secretariat and UNGC Corporate Sustainability Champion (saddled with the leadership of advancing sustainability practices in corporate governance in Nigeria), a member of the Steering Committee for the Presidential Committee for the Preparation of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2021-2025 and Nigeria Agenda 2050, the Private Sector Co-chair of the ECOWAS-World Bank-EU National Investment Scorecard Implementation Committee, the secretariat for the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (a collaboration between the NESG, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, and the Nigerian National Assembly) sponsored by the UKAID and ACA Foundation, the secretariat for the Nigerian Renewable Energy Roundtable sponsored by the Heinrich Boel Stiftung Foundation, etc. The NESG also served as a member of the Transitional Technical Task Team and provided technical support to the Presidential Transition Council. U.S. Government Regulatory Agencies Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is a multi-faceted Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues. Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency, specifically an independent executive agency, of the United States federal government for environmental protection. The EPA is responsible for preventing and detecting environmental crimes, informing the public of environmental enforcement, and setting and monitoring standards of air pollution, water pollution, hazardous wastes and chemicals. Food and Drug Administration The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), cosmetics, animal foods & feed[4] and veterinary products. Food Safety and Inspection Service The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that the United States' commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. U.S. Government Trade Agencies Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is a key agency within the Executive Office of the President, responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade policy. USTR negotiates trade agreements, enforces U.S. trade laws, and works to ensure that U.S. trade policy promotes strong economic growth, job creation, and a level playing field for American businesses, workers, and farmers. With a focus on sound science and risk-based systems, USTR plays a critical role in protecting U.S. interests in global trade while fostering an open and fair trading environment. Foreign Agricultural Service - Washington (FAS/W) Bangladesh: FAS/OAA Dhaka Office Cambodia and Vietnam: FAS/OAA Hanoi Office China: FAS/OAA Beijing Office Ghana: FAS/OAA Accra Office Kenya: FAS/OAA Nairobi Office Nigeria: FAS/OAA Lagos Office Pakistan: FAS/OAA Islamabad Office Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building Division (TRCBD) The Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building Division (TRCBD, formerly the Trade and Scientific Capacity Building Division) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS’) Office of Global Programs provides trade capacity building to current and emerging trading partners to promote international trade and open markets for U.S. agricultural exports – creating predictable and transparent trade environments favorable to U.S. agricultural commodities such as soy, cotton, specialty crops, beef, and poultry. U.S. Codex Office The U.S. Codex Office (USCO), housed in USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, acts as the national focal point for the U.S. Codex Program. Its mission is to engage stakeholders in the development and advancement of science-based food standards for the benefit of the United States and the worldwide community. USCO manages the planning, policy development, support, and coordination for U.S. involvement in Codex, and develops strategies to accomplish U.S. objectives.

Cambodia Program Updates Workshop on Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the Cambodian Food Control System July 2024 Discover how FAEA is advancing food safety in Cambodia through a workshop aimed at modernizing the country's food safety system. The workshop developed a foundation for a roadmap for improving information sharing, enhance stakeholder capacity and strengthen coordination between government agencies and industry leaders in Cambodia. It also empowered participants to actively contribute to the implementation of Cambodia's Food Safety Law and set the stage for future initiatives. MORE INFO

Members Only Program Updates Workshop for the Development of a Roadmap for Industry Capacity Building in Food Safety in Kenya August 2024 Learn how FAEA is paving the way for a safer and more sustainable food system in Kenya. In August 2024, in partnership with the USDA, FAEA led a workshop that brought together key stakeholders from across Kenya’s food and feed sectors. With a diverse group of industry experts, the workshop set the stage for a new roadmap focused on food and feed safety capacity building for the private sector. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS Workshop on Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the Cambodian Food Control System July 2024 Discover how FAEA is advancing food safety in Cambodia through a workshop aimed at modernizing the country's food safety system. The workshop developed a foundation for a roadmap for improving information sharing, enhance stakeholder capacity and strengthen coordination between government agencies and industry leaders in Cambodia. It also empowered participants to actively contribute to the implementation of Cambodia's Food Safety Law and set the stage for future initiatives. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS Launch of Nigerian Technical Working Groups and Pilot on Good Regulatory Practices June 2024 Discover how the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) is advancing food and feed safety in Nigeria with its latest initiative. In June 2024 FAEA, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the University of Missouri’s Africa Food Safety Initiative (AFSI) and the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) launched the Technical Working Groups, which bring together experts to drive progress in food and feed safety standards. Learn about our Food and Feed Safety Expertise Coordination Workshop, where key stakeholders collaborated to enhance Nigeria's food safety landscape. Dive into the pilot of the FAS/USDA's Good Regulatory Practices toolkit, designed to streamline regulatory processes and improve safety outcomes. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS 2024 FAEA Program Update Presentation June 2024 FAEA presentation from webinar on the programs being implemented and their current status. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS Review of Bangladesh’s Import Policy Order: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Standards and Recommendations for Improvement April 2024 In April 2024, FAEA commissioned research to evaluate Bangladesh’s Import Policy Order (IPO) 2021-2024 against the import regulations and standards adopted by other key Asian countries engaged in animal feed and feed additive trade with the U.S., such as Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. The analysis focuses on key concerns like radioactivity, antibiotic use, GMOs and the lack of a risk-based approach, comparing these to international standards set by bodies like Codex and WOAH. The findings highlight areas where Bangladesh could benefit from clearer language and a more scientifically sound, risk-based framework. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS FAEA Executive Director Visits Kenya to Set Strategic Direction for 2024 Activities November 2023 In November 2023, FAEA’s Executive Director traveled to Kenya to review ongoing food and feed safety initiatives and set the direction for 2024 activities. Key meetings with TradeMark Africa and Jomo Kenyatta University opened doors for collaboration on capacity-building programs targeting both the private sector and government agencies. A follow-up meeting at the U.S. Embassy reinforced support from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for FAEA’s strategy. With strong partnerships in place, FAEA is prepared to make significant progress in 2024. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS Advancing Food and Feed Safety Modernization in Nigeria: A Journey of Collaboration and Innovation November 2023 Delve into FAEA's workshop held in November 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria, where over 80 representatives from government, industry and civil society came together to forge a path toward safer food and feed systems. Key outcomes included the recommendation for the establishment of four Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and a collaborative roadmap to modernize regulatory frameworks. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS FAEA Executive Director Visits Kenya to Assess Food Safety Progress and Plan Next Steps December 2021 In December 2021, FAEA’s Executive Director visited Kenya to assess the progress of food safety initiatives and the livestock industry’s development. The visit confirmed key milestones, including a draft food safety bill ready for submission to Parliament and identified challenges in Kenya’s meat processing sector, such as feed availability and cold chain infrastructure. Discussions focused on capacity building and regulatory support for the next project phases, setting the stage for significant advancements in 2022. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS FAEA Drives Key Progress in Kenya’s Food Safety Legislation March 2021 In March 2021, FAEA continued their support for Kenya’s food and feed safety reforms by facilitating a follow-up meeting aimed at advancing the development of comprehensive food safety legislation. Building on progress from earlier discussions, this event brought together top officials and experts to draft a bill that aligns with both national and international standards. Discover more about the key outcomes and the next steps in Kenya’s journey toward a robust food safety framework. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS FAEA Kicks Off Support for Kenya’s New Food Safety Legislation December 2020 In December 2020, FAEA took a leading role in supporting Kenya's efforts to revamp its food and feed safety regulations. This initiative brought together key government stakeholders and international experts to align Kenya’s food safety laws with global standards. Discover the full story of how FAEA’s involvement is driving progress toward a robust, well-coordinated food safety system that will benefit public health and enhance Kenya’s global trade opportunities. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS FAEA Hosts Kenyan Food and Feed Safety Delegation in Washington, D.C. November 2019 In November 2019, FAEA hosted a key delegation of Kenyan officials in Washington, D.C., providing insights into how the U.S. food and feed safety system operates. The visit aimed to support Kenya’s efforts to develop comprehensive food safety legislation by showcasing effective interagency collaboration and science-based regulation. Discover how this initiative is helping shape Kenya’s regulatory framework and driving progress towards a safer food supply. Read More ACTIVITY DETAILS

Bangladesh Program Updates Review of Bangladesh’s Import Policy Order: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Standards and Recommendations for Improvement April 2024 In April 2024, FAEA commissioned research to evaluate Bangladesh’s Import Policy Order (IPO) 2021-2024 against the import regulations and standards adopted by other key Asian countries engaged in animal feed and feed additive trade with the U.S., such as Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. The analysis focuses on key concerns like radioactivity, antibiotic use, GMOs and the lack of a risk-based approach, comparing these to international standards set by bodies like Codex and WOAH. The findings highlight areas where Bangladesh could benefit from clearer language and a more scientifically sound, risk-based framework. MORE INFO