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Tokyo, Japan
July 25, 2002
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann M. Veneman met with Japanese consumer leaders, Ms. Nobuko Hiwasa, Former Secretary General of the SHODANREN C.J. (Consumer Japan); Ms. Masae Wada, President of the Housewives' Federation; and Ms. Eriko Hida, Vice-President of the Tokyo League of Regional Women's Organizations on Thursday, July 25, 2002. The Secretary discussed food safety issues and shared USDA's experience in operating one of the oldest and most effective food safety systems in the world. She emphasized that:
E Food safety policy must be based on the best available science. The secretary also talked about the importance of international organizations, such as Codex Alimentarius and the Office of International Epozootics, play in establishing international standards.
E In an era of limited resources, HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point) programs are important in focusing resources on the key points in the food chain where problems are most likely to occur.
E Enforcement programs are essential to ensure compliance with food safety programs and regulations.
E Transparency ensures that government decisions are based on the best available information.
Secretary Veneman noted that the United States spends approximately $1.3
billion a year on food safety enforcement and research, and that USDA has over
7,600 inspectors trained in animal health and food safety who are present in
meat processing plants throughout the United States.
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