Food, biotechnology, science and politics : policymakers engaged in Codex Alimentarius

Abstract

The international organisation Codex Alimentarius was established by the WHO and the FAO in 1963, with the intention of creating scientifically-based international food safety standards in order to protect consumer health while also ensuring fair practices in food trade. The aim of my research is to answer the question "why do policymakers engaged in the negotiation of international food safety standards think and act the way they do?" This question has become particularly important because Codex has been catapulted from a relatively insignificant and obscure United Nations Committee to one central to WTO trade disputes over food safety.