NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Strengthening (the) National Codex Committee"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the objective of the project, FAO inputs and expected results by the end of the project.

Data Needs:

• Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

Data Sources:

• Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Identify the problem for which assistance is requested and provide evidence that TCP criteria - which govern eligibility for TCP funding - are met. Text should cover the following issues:

- What are the institutions involved in the national discussions regarding food standards, their present staffing, their means of work? How in depth is their participation in the international work carried out in this field? What is the main problem they face: lack of capacity? What are their means to ensure compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements, etc? What are their current constraints which prevent them from addressing the problem directly, without FAO support?
- How urgently is action needed? What would happen if action were not taken? What foodborne diseases outbreaks/health accidents are linked with poor quality/unsafe food imports occurred recently in the country; what impact on public health? What are the economic losses associated to unsafe or adulterated food? What are the main causes of rejection of food exports? What would be the impact of requested activities on local small-scale producers and in food exports?
- What is the priority attached to this request by the Government? What is the Government commitment to cover recurrent and further investment costs of these units? Are other donors committed for follow-up actions?
- How do the proposed activities complement other actions funded by the Government and/or other donors? How would a catalytic effect be obtained?
- What is the critical expertise gap that FAO would fill in?

There should be a clear element of capacity building in order for the Government to participate fully in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). One paragraph should state how the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture/Ministry of Trade intend to build upon the technical assistance provided. This should include the long-term and sustainable advantage that is expected to result from the TCP assistance. The Government contribution to realizing this advantage should be described. Comments from the Government in relation to the efforts of food producers, consumers, and academic and research institutes should be taken into consideration in the implementation of the project.

Data Needs:

• Data on agricultural/food production, share on the national GDP.
  
• Export and export rejections data, financial losses incurred.
  
• Examples of outbreaks, frequencies, commodities generally affected.
  
• Estimated social and economical costs.
  
• Frequency of participation to the CAC and its subsidiary bodies (technical committees).
  
• Degree of involvement in WTO matters.
  
• Present resources of the Codex focal point and National Codex Committee.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture
  
• Ministry of Health
  
• Ministry of Planning/Finance
  
• Ministry of Commerce/Foreign Trade
  
• Stakeholders/exporters data

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

"This section will state briefly but in specific terms, the particular objective(s) which the project is expected to achieve. The project objective is defined as a specific aim to be achieved and formulated as the expected future improved situation after the successful completion of the project. The statement should be drafted wherever possible in terms permitting subsequent verification of project accomplishments." (TCP Guidelines)

To establish and/or strengthen the National Codex Committee and its working groups and assure its effective operation as an advisory group to the Government on matters related to food standardization and food safety as recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This would also ensure full implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), as well as on regional agreements related to food trade.

Data Needs:

• Quantitative indicators to monitor the participation of the country in the CAC.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Health/Trade

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

"Outputs (results) to be defined in this section, are the specific products of activities undertaken, the combined use of which by project beneficiaries will achieve the objective of the project, provided assumptions about external factors are correct. They should be defined in terms that permit their verification in quantity, quality and time, and should be consistent with the project objective and design, and provide the basis for the elaboration of a clear, detailed work plan." (TCP Guidelines)

This section is a simple, concise listing, using quantitative terms, of the specific outputs expected from the project.

The expected outcome of the technical assistance includes the following:

- An increase in the understanding by national professionals in government, industry and academia, of the importance of Codex work and the role of the National Codex Committee in both local food control matters and international trade;
- An expanded and improved system, and an enhanced capacity for both the technical analysis of Codex documentation and for the preparation of national positions on various Codex matters;
- An operational plan of action for the application of Codex recommendations in the country, including the updating of the food standards to include aspects related to food labeling, food additives, contaminants, food hygiene, food composition, pesticide residues and veterinary drug residues; and
- Trained professionals in matters related to international procedures used in the setting of Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations.

Data Needs:

• Number of training courses organized.
  
• Number of seminars, level of attendance, number of participants.
  
• Number of committees established, work effectively carried out by them.
  
• Number of standards updated or new standards drafted.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry
  
• Team Leader

V. WORK PLAN

A timetable, sufficiently specific to serve as a practical guide for the national experts and consultants on what activity should be carried out at what time, what place and be implemented by whom.

The timetable and any accompanying narrative should also serve as an instrument for monitoring project implementation and achievement for both the Government and FAO.

Data Needs:

• Estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry
  
• Ministry of Planning
  
• Food producers and import/export associations

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The project agreement is to describe in clear terms how the project will use national experts/consultants to achieve project objectives and how the use of such experts/consultants will contribute to building national capacity in the recipient institution/country.

Data Needs:

• Number of workshops carried out, number and level of attendees.
  
• Number and involvement of national consultants/experts.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health and other institutions participating in the project

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered line items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided. The sum of related amounts of each sub-category under each line item should add up to the total for the line item. Supplies and Materials and Equipment line items can be detailed, item by item, in an annex. The number to be procured and estimated costs of each item need to be shown. A "miscellaneous" item is not accepted but "miscellaneous laboratory glassware" is acceptable.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS)

Priority and preference should be given to the employment of competent experts under the TCDC/TCCT programmes in countries that have signed these agreements. There are specific limits to the use of international expertise at UN rates. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training

Data Needs:

• Number, type and cost of each input (numbers of staff participating, items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate, etc.).

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry
  
• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

Periodic and Mission reports are required for operational monitoring of projects so that technical and operating divisions of FAO can monitor the delivery and utilization of inputs. These reports give a TCP project the required flexibility to meet changing needs and are used to make decisions on project extensions and budget revisions. Technical reports add to the body of technical knowledge about specific diseases.

It is essential that the document specify who is to prepare these reports and at what intervals. This is particularly true for the Terminal Statement. If the writer of this document is not specified, the technical officer assumes this responsibility.

Data Needs:

• Operation-related data/information specifically related to the country concerned, standards existing/needed, exports, exports rejections, legal texts, mechanism of coordination.
  
• Findings and facts relevant to the organization of the different structures, service capacity, means of communication, between them, practical improvements recommended.
  
• Consultant's itinerary, persons met, terms of reference, lists of additional equipment, etc.

Data Sources:

• Project records
  
• Project staff
  
• Records from the different structures involved in food control
  
• Participatory rural appraisal exercises
  
• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by the Government; (ii) designation of Government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratories and their test results, and access to the field which may be under provincial or district authority. Commitment from the Government to facilitate food producers, consumer organizations and food research institutions and universities in the project activities. All need to be included in this section as they might apply.

See in particular TCP Guidelines, Annex I, p. vii and the following excerpts:
Request must be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken...

Requests must provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Government in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources (Annex IVa, page i).

Each project should be supervised by a National Project Coordinator nominated and paid by the Government. National Project Professional Personnel or consultants recruited by FAO are fully accountable to the Organization and cannot be on the Government payroll at the time of their assignment (p. 10, par 46). They may not be recruited from the counterpart institution/cooperating agency (Annex 1, page iv).

Data Needs:

• Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country. See TCP Guidelines for explanatory details.

Data Needs:

• Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

Data Sources:

• Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
  
• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Equipment suppliers
  
• Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the training programme.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Itemized list of equipment.
5. Itemized list of materials and supplies.
6. Terms of reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.

Data Needs:

• Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
  
• Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.

Data Sources:

• Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
  
• Ministry of Agriculture/Trade/Health/Industry