The Chairperson of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce, Mr. Dorian LaFond, reported the work of the Specialized Section and presented the revised standards and new recommendations submitted for adoption. He also noted that next meeting of the Specialized Section will be hosted in Izmir, Tukey, in June 2020 (dates TBA) with the aim of having some practical sessions.
The Working Party decided to adopt the new standards for dehydrated coconut kernel pieces, dried ripe papayas and dried melons, the revised standard for walnut kernels, and the explanatory poster for inshell pistachio nuts and inshell walnuts. The explanatory poster for walnut kernels, dried figs and dried grapes was decided to be adopted in an intersessional procedure. In addition, it was decided to extend the trial period of the revised standard for prunes, and the Sampling Plan for tree nuts and dried produce and Guidelines for Inspections were postponed.
The Working Party agreed to consider the following items for future work: revised standard for prunes, explanatory guide for dried apricots, new standards for inshell pecans and pecan kernels, revision of the standard layout, finalization of the sampling plan, sampling plan video, organization the practical session in Izmir, Turkey, and development of a poster on prunes.