International organisations related to New Zealand's Codex work

Alliances to make work more effective

The (Codex Alimentarius Commission) CAC involves many organisations across the world, both inside and outside government. New Zealand has formed alliances with some of these to make its work in Codex more effective.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

FSANZ is a bi-national government agency which has responsibility for developing food standards for both Australia and New Zealand. Although both countries have mutual agreement about food safety issues through FSANZ, they have no particular requirement to consult with each other on Codex issues. In practice, however, they have had close co-operation on a wide range of Codex issues.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Quadrilateral Group (Quads)

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States work together as the Quads group. Where interests are shared, members support each other at Codex meetings. You can find out more about the Codex strategies and activities of the partner countries in the Quads group on the following websites.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The OECD has 29 member countries, including New Zealand. It provides a setting for developing economic and social policy and discussing the impact of national policies on the international market. Both the OECD and the CAC influence food safety and trade. Because New Zealand is a member of both organisations, it is important to ensure consistent views are presented in both forums.

OECD website

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization is the only global international organisation dealing with rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. Member countries, including New Zealand, negotiate to establish agreements to lower trade barriers within the multilateral trading system.

World Trade Organization website

Expert committees of the FAO and WHO

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly support expert committees that focus on food safety issues of particular concern internationally. The FAO and WHO maintain separate websites highlighting the work of the committees from the points of view of the two parent organisations.