PHNOM PENH: The Plenary Meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday morning (1 April), continued to discuss the agenda on "Draft Law on Food Safety" and decided to fully adopt this.

According to the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, Phay Siphan, the draft law was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the global trend of international trade and in line with the work program of the Royal Government. The Royal Government 2012-2015 deals with the trade sector, has an obligation to strengthen the legal system in response to the international ambitions of integrating Cambodia's economy into the region and the world.

Recognizing this importance in line with the principles of the global legal system, the Ministry of Commerce has co-authored this draft food safety law to regulate food business operators at all stages of the production chain to ensure that all food products in the Kingdom are of good quality, safe and hygienic for every citizen.

The draft law on food safety is important to set the basic principles to promote food products that are safe and in line with the standards set to ensure the level of protection of life and health of the people, ensure the effectiveness of protecting the interests of consumers, in reducing the poverty of the people. On the other hand, requirements in food production and trade require trade agreements on sanitation and phytosanitary (SPS) and face technical barriers.

Trade (TBT) is a driving force for increased investment, increasing the efficiency of food exports and ensuring equitable and fair competition in food production and trade. Food safety is a joint and multi-sectoral responsibility that requires the involvement of all stakeholders to be responsible for the implementation, control and quality control of food safety at all stages of the production chain.