Intergovernmental Relations in Food Biotechnology Governance: Complementary Disentanglement in Regulation with Collaboration in Food Safety and Inspection
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Authors
Gabler, Melissa
Date
2008
Type
working paper
Language
en
Keyword
Public Health 2008
Alternative Title
Abstract
Food safety is a cross-cutting and cross-border issue, involving a variety of policy sectors and levels of governance. It is also increasingly recognized as important to the promotion and protection of public health (WHO 1999). Food crises affecting human food and animal feed, for example the spread of ‘mad cow’ disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy – BSE) and its transmission to consumers through beef consumption, have exposed serious flaws in governments’ food safety and inspection systems and highlighted the intergovernmental nature of risks (Ugland and Veggeland 2006, 611).1 In response, many national and other jurisdictions have undergone changes in their governance approaches to food safety. Alongside these developments have been the advent of modern food biotechnology and the adaptation of governance to manage related benefits, costs and risks. In particular, novel applications of biotechnology to plants and related foods has created the potential for additional adverse effects on feed and food supplies and the need for effective, regulation and multi-governmental responses, such as illustrated in the transterritorial Starlink, genetically modified (GM) corn episode. Since many governments are both the regulators and promoters of food biotechnology, there are also growing governance challenges to balance food safety and public health objectives with other important economic, trade and competitiveness considerations.
Description
© IIGR, 2009
Citation
Publisher
Queen's University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations