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Tonga s experience with a National Food and Nutrition Committee

The Beginning

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Tonga s experience with a National Food and Nutrition Committee

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    1. Tongas experience with a National Food and Nutrition Committee Dr Malakai Ake Ministry of Health, Tonga

    2. The Beginning 1982 National Food and Nutrition Committee established because of increasing trend in nutrition-related disease, especially NCD. Terms of Reference: Increase local food production Advise Cabinet on all matters pertaining to food and nutrition, and nutrition-related diseases Membership: Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Fisheries, Finance, Education, Govt Statistician, Land and Survey, Council of Churches, NGOs Chairman & Secretariat: Central Planning Division

    3. 1982-1986 Met four times 1986 National Food and Nutrition Survey 10% males, 39% females obese 1993 Committee revived by interviewing members Reason for disbanding of NFNC power struggles 1994 First meeting clarify role NFNC is a national body, does not belong to any Ministry All work & credit goes to NFNC

    4. After revival, the expectation was for decision-makers to attend meetings, so we can develop NCD interventions at a policy making level Unfortunately, it didnt happen - technical people attend meetings As a result, NFNC focused on technical work: Weight-loss competition Exercise Tobacco World Food Day

    5. Policy proposal MoH proposed that the NFNC should concentrate on policy intervention at decision-making level, rather than working on technical health promotion activities First one proposed was to work on reducing import of mutton flaps Technical working committee on mutton flaps Tabled resolution at NFNC to reduce imports using increased tax or ban Member for Finance pulled back, stating the initiative would be impossible 1997 Tonga seeking WTO observer status

    6. Current status of NFNC Cabinet decision 2002 to move all responsibility for food to Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry & Food Cabinet expectation to develop food standards (Food Act) & National Food Council NFNC moved from Central Planning Department to MAFFF Initially to be under the National Codex Alimentarius Committee Draft Food Bill to be tabled at next sitting of Parliament 2007-2008 both NFNC and NCAC is non-functioning

    7. Lessons learned Chairman should be at the Ministerial level Substantial members, which were Directors of Departments, should ensure they attend all meetings NFNC should be kept under an independent body Central Planning Department had co-ordinating/catalytic role, and didnt have any agenda to block the work of the Committee

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