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I. INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION (continued)
I. INTRODUCTION - QUESTIONS DE PROCEDURE (suite)
I INTRODUCCION - CUESTIONES DE PROCEDIMIENTO (continuación)

2. Election of Three Vice-Chairmen and Designation of Chairman and Members of Drafting Committee (continued)
2. Election de trois Vice-Présidents et nomination du Président et des membres du Comité de rédaction (suite)
2. Elección de los tres Vicepresidentes, y nombramiento del Presidente y los Miembros del Comité de Redacción (continuación)

CHAIRMAN: I mentioned to you this morning that when we reconvened in the afternoon I was hoping to have the names of the Chairman and the members of the Drafting Committee. I am happy to report that this has been possible and I am grateful to those who must have worked during their lunchbreak to make this possible.

His Excellency Leopoldo Ariza Hidalgo of Cuba has been proposed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee; members from Africa: Congo and Ethiopia; Asia and the Pacific Region: Pakistan and Indonesia; Europe: France and the Federal Republic of Germany; Latin America: Mexico and Panama; Near East: Afghanistan and Iraq; North America: The United States and the Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. Are there any comments? Is this list agreeable to you?

We are now condemning all these people to hard work and a labour of love and I would want to thank them on behalf of the Council in anticipation of the excellent work that they are going to do. They will of course know the fruits of their labour next Thursday afternoon out I am sure they will do an excellent job under the leadership of his Excellency Leopoldo Ariza Hidalgo of Cuba. May I ask you in anticipation to give them a clap of welcome.

Applause.
Applaudissements.
Aplausos.

B. N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): Mr. Chairman, I apologize for coming in, but I believe that I have made a mistake and would like it to be corrected if that is the case. I see that for the Drafting Committee we have Cuba, Mexico and Panama. Where I made a mistake is that I have here three countries for Latin America where other areas have only two countries. Therefore I would like to be informed on what is happening here.

CHAIRMAN: Mexico and Panama.

B. N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): But we have also Cuba. We have Cuba, Mexico and Panama.

CHAIRMAN: The Ambassador of Cuba is the Chairman.

B. N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): I am not quite clear in my mind. Can I have the Chairman of the African Group to give us some clarification please.

CHAIRMAN: The delegate of Congo, would you like to say anything?

J. TCHICAYA (Congo): Je prends la parole pour appuyer ce que vient de dire le délégué de 1!Angola. Nous avons une grande habitude de ces réunions. Il nous semble qu'au niveau du Conseil la répartition doit se faire équitablement.

Nous notons qu'ici, c'est-à-dire au niveau de notre région, nous avons déjà eu à présider le Conseil. Nous savons que notre Président était parmi les membres de la région. Nous ne voyons pas pourquoi ici on met trois pays de l'Amérique latine au lieu de deux. Nous proposons que cela soit rectifié à l'avantage de tout le monde.

CHAIRMAN: I would briefly revert to the question of parity in representation among all regions on the Drafting Committee. I therefore intend to request Mr. Sylla, the Secretary-General, to make a statement.

LE SECRETAIRE GENERAL: Depuis les cinq dernières années il y a eu des variations dans la composition du Comité de rédaction et ces variations ont toujours oscillé entre huit et 11 membres. Le cas évoqué par l'Angola a un précèdent. Nous avons eu par exemple en novembre 1981 la présidence du Comité de rédaction confiée à l'Europe qui était en plus représentée au sein du Comité par la République fédérale d'Allemagne et par la Pologne, la présidence étant à ce moment-là assumée par l'Italie. Donc, il n'y a vraiment pas de règle précise ni dans les règlements généraux ni dans le Règlement intérieur du Conseil qui donne d'indications précises pour la composition du Comité de rédaction.

C'est une décision qui appartient au Conseil. Je crois que vous pouvez apprécier vous-mêmes s'il faut ou non vous limiter à un membre par région, comme cela a été le cas au début, ou à deux par région comme maintenant proposé par les différentes délégations, notamment le Groupe des 77.

CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Sylla. I hope this provides clarification. We have no particular rules. The basic texts do not mention anything about the Drafting Committee. It is a committee to assist us and in any case, whatever the Drafting Committee proposes comes to the Council. It is only a smaller group to help us by working overtime. We are grateful to its members and I would suggest that we now get on with the job. Does the delegate of Congo wish to make a remark?

J. TCHICAYA (Congo): Monsieur le Président, nous nous en remettons à votre sage décision. Mais nous voudrions simplement rappeler que l'Afrique a toujours demandé d'avoir une meilleure répartition dans ce genre de groupes, parce que nous estimons que nous sommes une cinquantaine de pays et que nous ne pouvons pas être représentés par autant de membres que les groupes régionaux qui ont une dizaine ou une vingtaine de pays.

Je pense que désormais il faudra que l'on en tienne compte pour que la représentation soit équitable.

B. N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): I wish to thank Mr. Sylla for the explanation given which is quite satisfactory indeed. We also were aware that there are no strict rules in this case. However, if we look at the figures we see that Latin America has nine Member countries on the Council; Africa has twelve members. That is one quarter of the membership of the Council.

In the past, the question of proper representation of Africa has already been talked about in this forum. However, what I do not understand - and that is precisely why I started my intervention this morning - is that before the results appeared we had some negotiations in the background and we have come to a given understanding. I do not understand the results which are now presented in relation to the previous conversation, and that is why I requested, that the Chairman of the African Group be allowed to make a statement so that he may enlighten me.

CHAIRMAN: Is the Chairman of the African Group here? - There is no one apparently who would like to make a statement. I again give the floor to the delegate of Congo.

J. TCHICAYA (Congo): Je crois que ce problème a été réglé au niveau du Groupe des 77. Si le Président du Groupe des 77 était là, il faudrait qu'il fasse une déclaration pour nous éclairer sur ce problème.

A. A. KHALIL (Sudan) (original language Arabie): I wish to suggest that we leave the matter pending until such time when our group will deliberate tomorrow morning and that we do not go on discussing it here and now. This is a matter that concerns the Group of 77 nor do the other members of the Council have any interest in listening to this kind of debate.

CHAIRMAN : He seems tobearrivingMeanwhile,delegate of Cameroon, do you want the floor?

A.G. NGONGI NAMANGA (Cameroon) : Thank you, Mr. Chairman, but I think the Ambassador of Colombia, as Chairman of the Group of 77, should give the results of his consultations.

CHAIRMAN : I suggest that while this is being discussed by the Group of 77 we will now get on with the next item on our agenda, namely item 4, the Current World Food Situation. The documents are CL 83/2 and CL 83/2-Sup.1 and it will be introduced by Prof. Islam.

II. WORLD FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SITUATION
II. SITUATION MONDIALE DE L'ALIMENTATION ET DE L'AGRICULTURE
II. SITUACION MUNDIAL DE LA AGRICULTURA Y LA ALIMENTACION

4. Current World Food Situation (CL 83/2; CL 83/2-Sup.1)
4. Situation actuelle de l'alimentation mondiale (CL 83/2; CL 83/2-Sup.1)
4. Situación actual de la alimentación en el mundo (CL 83/2; CL 83/2-Sup.1)

N. ISLAM (Assistant Director-General, Economie and Social Policy Department): You have before you two documents on the current world food situation, the first, the longer document, CL 83/2, was prepared in early May and the supplementary document CL 83/2-Sup.1 updates it with information as of late May.

The world food supply has shown overall improvement during the past year but the aggregate picture is a mixed one. Overall food supplies of major commodities have increased but per capita the food production has fallen in developing market economy countries.

The world recession continues to affect adversely the ability of many countries to pay for essential imports, including agricultural inputs required to step-up food production. The decline in cereal prices provides more benefits to cereal importing countries but low prices and mounting stocks have led to efforts by the main exporting countries to out back production ans stocks in 1983. While the present large world stocks provide protection against effects of possible production shortfalls in 1983, stocks can be reduced quickly in the near future as a consequence of government action and production setbacks.

A feeling of uncertainty has been providing thought and discussion on the current food and agricultural situation. These uncertainties relate to three main areas; first, the food supply situation in Africa; second, the effects of acreage cutbacks on cereal production in 1983 and hence on cereal supplies next year and the long-term effects of world recession on agricultural and rural economy.

The food situation in Africa gives cause for deep concern, particularly about what course the emergencies will take. The supplementary document draws attention to the drought which for the second year in succession is affecting southern Africa. Other emergencies are affecting other African countries from Sahel to Ethiopia. This situation has been aggravated by the wide-spread outbreaks of cattle plague, rinderpest in eleven countries. The situation in Nigeria, Sudan, Cameroon and Chad is particularly grave. Countries in the South Arabian peninsula are also affected. FAO is strongly involved in efforts to alleviate these difficult situations. The emergency situation to counter rinderpest threat has been provided to 21 countries, African countries, including ten during the first six months of 1983. A project proposal for a Pan-African rinderpest campaign has been prepared jointly by FAO, OAU and EEC and the Office International des Epizooties. The necessary funds are being sought from ail prospective donors..

The second area of uncertainty lies in prospects of food production especially cereals in 1983. Low food prices combined with production cut back programmes in North America raise questions as to whether the recent high level of production and stocks will be significantly reversed. Indeed, at the Eighth Session in April of this year, the Committee on World Food Security noted that world cereal production was expected to decline in 1983. The Committee agreed to draw the attention of the Council to the need for keeping development under continuous review so that if necessary recommendations regarding the 1984 cereal production policies are considered in the light of world food security objectives.

Since April growing conditions for wheat in the northern hemisphere have been generally favourable. Current indications point to a large world crop in spite of a smaller area sown.

The exporting nations need to be encouraged to find ways to stabilize agricultural incomes in a manner which minimizes danger to low-income food-deficit countries.

The third area of uncertainty concerns the longer-term effects of the world economic recession on the agricultural sector and rural people. While it is not possible to foresee the future there are two after effects which demand your special attention, that is on trade and aid. Agricultural trade has been hurt by the recession. The 1982 world agricultural exports were some 10 percent below those of 1981. Price declines accounted for much of this. Several commodities of special importance to developing countries, such as sugar and cocoa, have been especially hard hit and overall declined trade balance in crop and livestock products was about $4 billion in 1981, which was nearly 60 percent of the value of the flow of official commitments of external assistance for food production in that year. The recession has also accentuated the gravity of the need to achieve more international cooperation in trade arrangements. The protectionist trends which thrive in many nations at times of economic recession are easier to initiate than to eliminate.

As a result of the decision taken at the ministerial level meeting of GATT late last year there is in place a new GATT Committee on Trade and Agriculture. Its work programme bears on an area of major importance, agricultural and export subsidies and their implications for market access. It is hoped that some progress can be made in that area under the aegis of this Committee.

Of course as we meet in Rome UNCTAD VI is in session in Belgrade. One hopes that out of this will come meaningful progress leading to international consensus about future trade arrangements for the developing countries, including a speedy ratification fo the UNCTAD common fund agreement.

As regards commitments of external assistance to agriculture, it is already clear that official commitments have levelled off since 1979 having grown quite rapidly during the 70s.

Preliminary estimates indicate that between 1981 and 1982 total multilateral commitments of assistance to agriculture decreased by about 4 percent. Information on bilateral assistance is at present not available fully but existing information suggest that the downward trend continues.

We want to call special attention to a new FAO data series presented in the document before you. This relates to the information about actual disbursements of external assistance to agriculture. For some time now we have been aware that commitments do not provide a full picture of external assistance as it reaches developing countries. Lately annual disbursements have been running only about one half of the value of new commitments for the same year. Undoubtedly it is the relationship between this year's disbursements to the commitments of previous years that one should really compare, and more analysis therefore is needed in respect of the issues relating to the speedy utilization of already committed aid.

To summarize, this is not just another year for food and agriculture. This is a year when there are serious problems to be dealt with and new kinds of uncertainties to be anticipated, but in some ways this period of stalled economic progress provides a breathing space to set in motion policies and actions which can make the most of the post-recession environment as and when it emerges.

CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Islam, for this very brief but precise report on the current global food situation.

K. HADDAD (Liban) (langue originale arabe): Je voudrais, pour commencer, remercier le Directeur général et le secrétariat pour l'évaluation objective de la situation mondiale de l'alimentation, telle que reflétée dans le document CL 83/2.

Ma délégation est d'accord avec ce qu'a dit le Directeur général, c'est-à-dire que la situation économique mondiale n'est guère rassurante, vu les nombreux facteurs qui sont à l'origine de cette instabilité. Bien qu'une certaine amélioration ait été enregistrée dans la situation mondiale, rien ne nous donne à penser que cette reprise économique va continuer pour avoir des effets bénéfiques sur le bien-être des pays en développement. Ajoutons que les investissements ne sont guère assurés et que la situation précaire des pays en développement ne leur permet pas de faire face à l'endettement élevé; cette situation est très préoccupante et requiert toute l'attention. Enfin, la situation économique dans les pays développés ne va guère mieux que dans les pays en développement. Si l'on tient compte de leur coopération en vue de réduire les taux d'intérêt, et d'aider ainsi les pays en développement à résoudre leur problème d'endettement, et de limiter les tendances protectionnistes exagérées en matière commerciale.

lever, and I. can summarize mv comment in six brief points.

1) There is nothing to assert that the development that took place in food and agricultural production in 1982 will be a long-term trend. The period of progress and economic recovery seems to be transitory and this calls for concern. Weak countries are still lurking under the burden of debts and interest rates are still skyhigh and are not within the capacity of poor countries to cope with. Extreme protectionist tendencies are not in the interest of developing countries. Moreover, the environment does not encourage investment in many of these countries.

2) It is true to say that the cereal stocks today are better than at any other time in the past, but we are still at the mercy of nature and the catastrophes that come from all sources and directions. The current stock is a buffer stock against what will happen in the future, and nobody can forecast about the future and future crops. In addition to this, one can say that the policies of some countries in order to reduce the areas or the acreage planted with cereals are not in the interests of the global cereal production situation and not in the interests of the consuming countries.

3) We in Africa regret the situation of food and agriculture in many African countries as a result of drought and natural catastrophes and man-made disasters. We are in agreement- and concur with the

Nous sommes d'accord sur ce qui a été dit dans le document de travail, c'est-à-dire que la situation de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture s'est un peu améliorée en 1982, quoiqu'elle soit moins bonne qu'en 1981. Mais nous voyons que les pays en développement éprouvent encore des difficultés pour leur développement agricole. Il faut en tenir compte davantage.

Quant à la sécurité alimentaire, quoiqu'on ne manque pas d'aliments, les stocks sont entre les mains d'un petit nombre de pays exportateurs. Ce sont principalement les céréales secondaires. De plus, la réduction des emblavures en Amérique du Nord, et dont les conséquences sont pour le moment imprévisibles, ne manquera pas d'avoir un effet sur la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Nous demandons donc aux pays exportateurs d'être conscients de cette situation et de tenir compte de ce qu'a recommandé le Comité de la sécurité alimentaire pour l'adoption de politiques visant l'amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire en 1984.

Ma délégation a suivi avec beaucoup d'inquiétude la détérioration de la situation agricole et alimentaire, surtout en Afrique. Il y a eu des foyers de peste bovine et d'autres fléaux

et catastrophes qui rendent difficile le développement agricole dans de nombreux pays d'Afrique. De plus, le déclin du commerce des produits agricoles en 1981-82 n'aidera guère les pays en développement à couvrir leur déficit et à payer leurs dettes, et ce sont les pays africains qui seront sans doute les plus touchés par cette situation.

Il est à relever que les pays en développement ont dû commencer à importer des produits agricoles à partir de 1981. Ceci nécessite de la part de ces pays d'accorder toute l'attention requise à cette situation inquiétante, et d'avoir une attitude commune dans leurs négociations avec les pays développés, et surtout au cours de la Vie CNUCED.

Enfin, nous nous inquiétons également de ce que l'assistance au développement soit restée au niveau de 1979 , ce qui est en dessous des engagements des pays développés envers les pays en développement, les statistiques du document indiquent que l'assistance financière au développement est arrivée à un maximum qui n'a jamais été dépassé.

La situation instable de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture dans le monde nous oblige à obtenir davantage de renseignements et à faire des études plus approfondies sur les situations économiques et agricoles des pays en développement. Nous pouvons dire que la FAO est certainement l'organisme le mieux placé pour entreprendre cette tâche. Nous considérons que la FAO pourrait intensifier le rassemblement des statistiques et la préparation d'études en profondeur à ce sujet. L'assistance que la FAO pourrait donner aux pays dans ces domaines mérite d'être retenue. Je considère que la FAO pour ce faire a besoin que le Conseil considère positivement ces efforts. Ma délégation accueillera favorablement toute décision dans ce sens et nous espérons que le Conseil approuvera toute demande présentée à cet effet par le secrétariat.

TESSEMA NEGASH (Ethiopia): First of all, I wish to express my pleasure, Mr Chairman, at seeing you in the chair. I also extend my congratulations to the Vice-Chairmen who have been elected to assist you. I also wish to congratulate my dear friend, the Ambassador of Cuba, for his election as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. On behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf I extend my congratulations to the Director-General for his moving opening statement which is very comprehensive and wide in scope. Lastly, I also wish to thank Professor Islam for his excellent introduction of the item in a precise but complete manner.

My delegation finds the document before us highly informative and analytical. For the sake of brevity, I shall concentrate my intervention on the information contained therein which relates to the Africa region. The document starts on a slightly optimistic note regarding overall global food supplies. At the same time, the difficulties that many African countries are experiencing in mobilizing resources for food production are noted.

The document once again confirms that the Africa region is lagging far behind other regions in all aspects of food production, distribution and consumption. It is the hope of my delegation that this Council will provide a special directive to the forthcoming FAO Conference on how best to tackle the deteriorating food availability in many African countries. We thus wish to propose the following policies or institutional issues which this Council could consider for recommendation to the Conference for follow-up and action:

1) We tend to believe that current and past FAO studies fail to reflect a deeper understanding of the primary cause for the present problem of food production and consumption in the Africa region, although we appreciate all the efforts made in this respect, including the paper on Africa presented to the last meeting of the CFS. In almost all FAO's studies there is no serious analysis of the absorption of African food production by big agribusiness, including the control of food markets by these monopolies. There are no studies which show how marginalisation is taking place as a result of multi-national and even mini-national investments. Without a deeper understanding of this sector and the remedial measures that ought to be taken, very little progress could be made in increasing the capacity of food production, distribution and consumption. We therefore recommend FAO undertakes on a country-by-country basis a serious structurally based study on food systems, taking into account the peculiarities of each country, the set-up of institutions, habits of work and even the technology of food production systems.

2) It is now more than three years since the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (WCARRD) passed important resolutions in support of the rural poor and small farmers. We know that WCARRD . missions were organized in some countries. My country had the privilege to host one just about a year ago.

I wish to ask the following questions, which I hope will be given a positive welcome by the Secretariat:

i) To what extent are the various units of FAO reoriented to make the WCARRD principles working guides for their activities?

ii) To what extent is the Declaration of Principle and the Programme of Action of WCARRD a guiding principle of FAO?

We strongly recommend that FAO and its units seriously re-examine the structure, if they have not done so, and re-orient their programme in favour of the rural poor and small farmers.

3) FAO seems to have abandoned the important area of land tenure and land reform. So many changes are taking place in the Africa region today. Landlessness is growing fast. The traditional customary tenants are threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture. We therefore remind FAO to take heed of these factors.

4) In respect of marketing, including the whole range of what we call marketing mix, FAO could provide important general guidance while recognizing that policies are sovereign rights of states. When agricultural prices are too high, the poor, non-farming population in the rural areas and urban areas suffer most. When they are low because of lack of sufficient incentives, agricultural production suffers. What is needed here, therefore, is a guidance that will help to reconcile these two extreme situations.

5) The Council has the responsibility to look into the issue of food aid. Food aid is now an activity of so many bilateral and multilateral agencies. The Ethiopian delegation is more than happy to see food aid channelled through fewer agencies, preferably through the UN, FAO, WFP and food policies coordinated at that level. We shall dwell on this when we come to Agenda Item No.8.

6) As indicated on Page 6 of the document before us, Africa remains the region most affected by food shortages. Under the circumstances, we think to direct FAO towards a zero growth budget is unjustified, especially as a concept when the lives of so many million people is at stake. We strongly object to any such attempts. I hope the Council will seriously consider this when we come to Agenda Item No. 12.

A.A. KHALIL (Sudan) (original language Arabic): Allow me to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Director-General and the Secretariat for this valuable document on the evaluation of the current world food situation. Allow me to comment briefly on the food and agricultural situation on the global level, and I can summarize mv comment in six brief points.

1) There is nothing to assert that the development that took place in food and agricultural production in 1982 will be a long-term trend. The period of progress and economic recovery seems to be transitory and this calls for concern. Weak countries are still lurking under the burden of debts

and interest rates are still skyhigh and are not within the capacity of poor countries to cope with. Extreme protectionist tendencies are not in the interest of developing countries. Moreover, the environment does not encourage investment in many of these countries.

2) It is true to say that the cereal stocks today are better than at any other time in the past, but we are still at the mercy of nature and the catastrophes that come from all sources and directions. The current stock is a buffer stock against what will happen in the future, and nobody can forecast about the future and future crops. In addition to this, one can say that the policies of some countries in order to reduce the areas or the acreage planted with cereals are not in the interests of the global cereal production situation and not in the interests of the consuming countries.

3) We in Africa regret the situation of food and agriculture in many African countries as a result of drought and natural catastrophes and man-made disasters. We are in agreement and concur with the Director-General that the Africa continent should be given special attention by the international organizations and it should be given top priority by the FAO.

The fourth point is that regrettably we find that the value of this aid and financial assistance to developing countries, including the least developed African countries, shows a continuous downtrend. International assistance is not in line with the economic situation and the deteriorating conditions in these countries. Rich and able countries do not respect what they have committed themselves to towards these needy countries.

Fifth, the volume of trade in agricultural products for 1981/82 is not in the interests of developing countries, and this does not help them to meet their outstanding debts. Most of these countries are importers of foodstuffs, and this would make their bargaining possibilities with the developing countries weaker and would stand in the way of their economic development.

Finally, allow me to dwell briefly on the need to increase the possibilities and the potentials of the organization, namely FAO, in the field of economic studies, analysis, and statistics in the agricultural field. By virtue of the Constitution of FAO, this is one of its primary duties, and the FAO has undertaken the implementation of this duty in an excellent manner. FAO is more qualified than any other organization to carry this forward in the future.

My delegation supports any proposal that would strengthen FAO's possibilities in this field and would lead to increasing and developing an analytical and statistical study, and we hope that this august assembly would endorse this proposal.

KONG CANDONG (China) (original language Chinese): We have carefully studied document CL 83/2, and we have just heard Professor Islam's introduction on the current world food situation. Particularly the explicit analysis on world economy and food situation made by the Director-General, Dr. Saouma, this morning. This has given us additional information, helped us to better understand the major problems in the field of food and agriculture and the trend od development.

We learned from the document that the world cereal production gained some increase last year. There are ample supplies of major food commodities in the world cereal market, and their prices on the whole are stable. Food security has been improved in many countries. However, there is no increase in per capita food production in quite a number of developing countries. Besides, due to the sombre effect of the extended world-wide economic recession, the growing protectionist tendencies in agricultural trade, the decline of export of farm produce and enlarged foreign debts, food problems still exist in the developing countries. Particularly in parts of Africa and some other places in the world, because of frequent natural calamities, the number of countries affected by serious food shortages has of late increased. We cannot but express our concern for this. At present, though there are signs of economic recovery in some developed countries, the adverse effect on food production and trade exercised by the extended world economic recession and the consequences still exist brought about by the shift of economic crisis onto the developing countries, which merits our attention. All this has once again made us realize the importance and complexity of the food problems. Hence, food problem should remain one of the priorities in our future endeavours.

As document CL 83/2 points out: "In spite of ample world food supplies, the basic causes of insecurity remain". We share this view. At various relevant international fora in the past, we for many times referred to the international causes of the current food problem. By now, more and more facts have shown that the solution of food problem lies not only in the development of production, promotion of food trade, efforts to establish stocks and improve distribution, but it must be linked up with the establishment of a new international economic order.

We are pleased to note in the last section of the document that measures have been taken at the regional or sub-regional level to improve food security in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For instance, ASEAN has established a collective food reserve; steps have been examined by CILSS to establish a regional food reserve system; SELA is taking action to establish a regional food security system. This is the inevitable outcome of developing countries following the principle of collective self-reliance, strengthening their solidarity as well as the expression of the spirit of South-South cooperation under the circumstances in which international food trade is monopilized by a few developed countries and international aid for agriculture is dwingdling. It is our hope that cooperation among developing countries in the fields of agriculture will continue to gain momentum, and the developed countries will take wise actions to render support to this trend of development.

Mr. Chairman, China's agriculture in 1982 has been mentioned in several places in the document. I would like to take this opportunity to give you some additional information.

In 1982, our country continued to implement the policies conducive to the development of rural economy, extended and improved the responsibility system linking payment with production, thus further mobilizing the peasants' enthusiasm in production. The peasants are supplied with improved seed strains and adopted advanced farming techniques. Some peasants even increased their investment in agricultural development. At the same time the state augmented the supply of fertilizers, medium-and small-sized farm machinery and other means of production. In addition, weather was quite favorable in most parts of the country. As a result, bumper harvest was recorded in agriculture, livestock and fishery.

We adhere to the principle of "sparing no effort in developing grain production while actively promoting a diversified economy". China has one billion people and therefore to feed the population is of first and foremost importance. Adequate area under grain crops is guaranteed. Efforts have been made to raise the per-unit yield and to build comodity grain bases. Last year, the total grain output reached 353.43 million tons, which exceeded the state target by 6 percent, registering an increase of 8.7 percent against the previous year. The area under summer crops this year has been expanded after three years of reduction due to readjustment, which is now 1.2 million hectares more than that of last year. The crops are growing well and so a new increase is expected.

While expanding food production, due attention is paid to bring local advantages into full play in enhancing an integrated development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, side-line occupations and fishery in accordance with the specific local conditions. Intensive management is practised. Small-scale rural industries are developed to provide the peasants with more expioyment opportunities and increase their income. In recent years, our country has made remarkable progress in developing a diversified economy. Since 1979 when we started to promote a diversified economy, the proportion of forestry, animal husbandry, side-line occupations and fishery in the entire rural economy has gone up to a certain extent.

With all-round progress of agriculture, the peasants' income has increased and their livelihood improved. However, as China's rural economy has a rather poor foundation and the rural population has grown at a fairly fast rate, there is only modest improvement in the peasants' living standard. Moreover, agricultural development is far from uniform among different regions. If we look at the country as a whole, per caput grain production is only 340 kgs, which is well below the world average. In order to make grain production keep pace with population growth and improvement of the people's life, while continuing to take measures to "develop production and guarantee supply", we must pay particular attention to controlling population growth. In recent years, we have given family planning high priority, putting the stress in the rural areas. One-child family is encouraged. Our objective is to keep population growth under control so that the increased grain can be more and more devoted to improving the people's life. We shall continue to carry on the tradition of relying on ourselves and working hard, to speed up the development of agriculture in an effort to make the people's life better off on the basis of developed production by the end of this century.

F.G. POULIDES (Cyprus): Mr. Chairman, this is the first time in 21 years of membership that Cyprus takes the floor as a member of FAO's Council. This has become possible, thanks to the support in order to establish this country, which by very positive vote has assured Cyprus's election to this Council. Cyprus, therefore, wishes to express its gratitude to all those FAO Member States.

Secondly, I would like to commend the Director-General and the Secretariat for the excellent assessment of the World Food Situation as presented in document C 83/2. My delegation agrees with the Director-General that the world economic background against which the assessment is made carries grave consequences ans causes anxiety. Although there are signs of recovery in the world economy, it is not at all certain how long-lasting and vigorous the recovery could be, and that the effect would be on the growth prospects of developing countries.

The future investment climate is also very uncertain, and the capacity of developing countries to absorb heavy debt burdens remains a cause for concern. There is also grave incertainty as to these prospects for establishing a spirit of international cooperation among the developed countries that would increase the development assistance, help in other debt problems and lead to a relaxation of trade protectionism.

Whilst it is conveying the current food and agricultural situation has some favorable aspects, the document before us underlines the serious difficulties which still confront many developing countries. We are particularly concerned about a number of negative factors.

As regards food security, while current cereal stocks are large they are nonetheless concentrated in a few exporting countries, and coarse grains represent a very large part of them. Moreover, the cereal acreage reductions in North America can only have repercussions on the overall food security situation. However, we trust that exporters would watch the situation very closely and keep food security concerns in mind in making their decisions regarding the 1984 production policy as requested by the CFS.

Another factor for serious concern is the precarious situation of food in Africa. As the report rightly points out, in several locations the Continent is being assailed by drought and disease and other problems which hinder food production. The decline in agricultural trade in 1982/83 makes it doubly hard for developing countries to overcome their debt problems, and African countries have been particularly hard-hit in this respect. It is significant that developing countries as a group became net importers of agricultural commodities for the first time in 1981. Negociations to redress the long-standing problems of agricultural trade have made little progress and we strongly feel there is urgent need for further negociations and initiative in fora like UNCTAD.

Finally, development assistance which since 1979 has stagnated, shows due signs of increase and is indicated in the supplement to the document under discussion. Actual aid disbursements are lagging seriuously behind commitments.

Willingness to provide food aid seems to have hit a ceiling. The perilous economic and food situation that lies before us makes it imperative that information and competent analysis be made available to Member countries. The FAO plays a requisite role in this respect. We believe that the steps being taken by FAO to further strengthen its statistics situation and outlook and the analysis situation should be fully supported and wish to urge the Council to commend the efforts which the Director-General is continuing in this direction.

M. BENNIS (Maroc): Permettez-moi tout d'abord de présenter mes sincères félicitations aux honorables délégués des Etats-Unis, du Cap Vert et de l'Egypte pour la confiance dont ils ont bénéficié de la part de notre Conseil les choisissant pour nous aider et pour assumer les responsabilités de vice-président. Mes félicitations vont également au Secrétariat et à M. N. Islam pour la haute qualité des documents CL 83/2 et CL 83/2-Supp.l. Nul doute que le point que nous sommes en train d'étudier est d'une importance capitale pour l'humanité entière, mais plus particulièrement encore pour les pays en développement. Nous devons tous nous féliciter des efforts inlassables que mène notre Organisation sous la direction éclairée et dynamique de son Directeur général, M. Saouma, pour mettre en place un système de sécurité alimentaire garantissant à tous, en tous lieux et en tout temps, un approvisionnement suffisant en denrées alimentaires, particulièrement en céréales. Par ailleurs, l'action de la FAO est à encourager de notre part puisqu'elle se développe tout en s'adaptant aux données nouvelles en matière d'approvisionnements et de productivité alimentaires. L'assistance que nous apporte la FAO est très bénéfique dans la mesure où elle concerne souvent des domaines nouveaux et prioritaires en matière de développement économique en général et de production alimentaire en particulier.

D'ailleurs, ma délégation saisit cette occasion pour remercier la FAO et son Directeur général de l'aide qu'ils n'ont cessé d'apporter à mon pays pour réaliser son autosuffisance alimentaire.

La délégation du Maroc partage entièrement le point de vue exprimé par le Directeur général dans sa déclaration de ce matin, notamment en ce qui concerne les engrais et la nouvelle approche en matière de sécurité alimentaire. En outre, nous voudrions proposer que la FAO oeuvre davantage en vue d'une plus grande concertation entre pays riches et pays pauvres pour lever le protectionnisme et permettre la réalisation d'un équilibre juste et adéquat sur le plan alimentaire entre toutes les régions du globe.

P. M. AMUKOA (Kenya): We would like to start by endorsing the assessment made by the Director-General this morning and also by Professor Islam in his introductory remarks on the precarious nature of the world food situation, especially in Africa. We also support the views of those delegates who have already spoken on this issue, particularly those expressed by the delegate of Ethiopia. Many low-income food-deficit countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have not been beneficiaries to the positive trends in food production and trade described in this document. Many of them have seen no increase in food production in recent years.In fact, some of them have had negative production and also declining nutritional standards; yet these countries are the homes of many poor, hungry and malnourished people. These people are expected to till land often with rudimentary technologies, to produce for themselves and for their nations. These poor people are expected to purchase important farm inputs such as fertilizers, when the prices of the external market conditions are often deterrent. National efforts to import farm inputs in order to raise production have also been frustrating. Most of the foreign exchange of these countries comes from imported raw materials and, as we all know, the prices offered for these agricultural commodities in recent years have not been encouraging, so investments in agriculture from these earnings have been and are bound to be inadequate, since also these meagre earnings are shared across other sectors of the economy. So even when farm input prices are low on the world market, like in the case of fertilizer prices in 1982, it becomes difficult to purchase sufficient commodities to meet domestic requirements.

In a situation like this, one would have hoped that fertilizer supply scheme arrangements or programmes, including grants, should be encouraged. Yet you find that such schemes experience problems and difficulties.

Also, the poor countries have to import food to augment their domestic supplies. This may not be easy even when food prices on external markets are low. When foreign exchange problems are biting very hard, it is difficult to buy enough to supplement domestic production, let alone building reserve stocks. So what happens? This is partly why we want domestic food production strengthened, something which all of us agree with. We therefore need to strengthen our efforts in the implementation of short-term, medium-term and long-term measures that will achieve a sustained increase in food production, especially in low-income food-deficit countries. Some of these measures will come up for discussion in other agenda items at this meeting and we shall participate in this discussion.

In a situation of falling food production, increasing hunger and malnutrition and almost apparently permanent poverty, we are told in this document that total bilateral assistance to agriculture has declined and its concessional component is tending to decrease. IFAD which has favourable lending facilities to low-income countries is having problems in its fast replenishment. We also regret that FAO is not increasing its budget for the next biennium. Resource problems in the UNDP, IDA and so on are also pointing a finger in the wrong direction.

When we assess the food situation we get to know the negative aspects regarding food production, consumption, stocks, trade and accessibility to food. What we want now is the economic and political back-up from the international community to supplement our own efforts aimed at reducing those negative aspects.

M. AHMED (Pakistan): Let me first of all congratulate the three Vice-Chairmen and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee who have been elected unanimously by the Council.

We have been greatly impressed by the graphic and comprehensive appraisal of world agriculture given by the Director-General, and the brief yet lucid exposition by Professor Nurul Islam of the current world food situation. The document CL 83/2 highlights that world food supply has shown some improvement in the past year. This indeed is a cause of some satisfaction but certainly not complacency, and provides - as has been said by Professor Nour Islam - only a breathing spell to have a fresh look at national and international policies, so that the world food situation keeps on improving not only to meet the needs of expanding populations but also to ensure higher per capita food availability.

In this context the situation in Africa needs special attention as well as assistance. It is a matter of concern that some countries do not have minimum food security although the world food stocks of cereals have greatly increased. We recognize that a large part of the effort has come from the deficit countries themselves but developed as well as developing countries in a position to do so can certainly provide assistance on bilateral, multilateral, regional and other bases to help increase production and thereby alleviate hunger and malnutrition. The statement in the document that there has been some decline in the production of agricultural commodities due to a fall in petroleum prices and that therefore difficulties for the farmers have reduced, may not hold true in many countries which have been subsidizing agricultural inputs for their farmers. These subsidies are being gradually withdrawn to provide resources for development and to promote greater efficiency in the use of these costly agricultural inputs. At the same time, food prices cannot be adequately increased because of the depressed international market. These factors do impose a considerable burden on the farmers, and should be duly taken note of.

I am happy to report that as far as my country is concerned, there has been a considerable improvement in the production of cereals and agriculture in general. For the past five years we have been able to maintain a growth rate in agriculture of 4.4 percent. We have increased our cereal production by 34 percent and that of wheat by 46 percent and we have a bumper wheat crop this year. Increases have also been witnessed in the case of sugar, rice, maize, potatoes and vegetables. We have turned the corner and have emerged as a net exporter of agricultural products. Incidentally, from our country we have banished the rinderpest disease altogether.

These achievements have been the result of food policies and strategies successfully implemented during the Fifth Plan period ending June this year. Our policies are backed by economic incentives in the form of support prices, application of high-yielding varieties technology along with the supply of seeds, fertilizers and improved delivery systems dovetailed with necessary institutional improvements. We have also developed an agricultural system and have sharpened its focus to priority needs.

The fact that official commitments of external assistance to agriculture decreased in 1981 by 7.5 percent at current prices and bilateral commitments by 15 percent will definitely place the developing countries in a difficult situation. The mounting debt burden, the declining aid, the hardening terms of financial assistance, the worsening terms of trade would have, as they have already had, an adverse impact on their efforts to increase production.

We would like to emphasize that aid has helped some developing countries in making a transition from being a deficit to being net exporters. There should be no decline in aid in real terms if this momentum has to be sustained and many more countries have to come into this category. We are conscious that some major donor countries are confronted with inflation, unemployment and other economic problems. But developing countries, particularly those of Asia and Africa, need assistance to feed the hungry and malnourished populations and meet their other essential needs. We request the donor countries to enhance aid flows in their own enlightened self-interest and for the achievement of a better future for mankind.

Before I conclude I would say that though we welcome the economies and improvements in efficiency which the Director-General proposes to bring about in the next biennium as explained by him in his opening statement, however, the agricultural situation in the developed countries called for an even greater role on the part of FAO and consequently a substantial augment of his resources if a target of 4 percent growth in agriculture is to be achieved and, what is more important, if it is to be sustained.

L. ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Mis primeras palabras son para felicitar a usted, Señor Presidente y a los Vicepresidentes electos en la mañana de hoy.

Creemos que la evaluación general hecha por el Director General esta mañana es conclusiva, por lo tanto, nuestra delegación la apoya en todas sus partes. La Delegación cubana ha estudiado con mucha atención el documento CL 83/2, ya que considera que en materia de política es el tema más importante que se analiza en el Consejo. Queremos felicitar a la Secretaría, y específicamente al Sr. Islam, por la evaluación de la situación actual de alimentos en el mercado y por la presentación del tema que nos hizo.

Nos parece, Señor Presidente, que todos debemos coincidir en que la llamada crisis alimentaria no es un fenómeno propio de los últimos años, aunque la profunda crisis económica actual contribuya a acentuarla. La FAO ha hecho ingentes esfuerzos por ayudar a resolver el grave problema del hambre y la malnutrición y sobre esto creo también que debemos coincidir todos los que estamos reunidos aquí. Su nivel de ayuda en todos los sectores de la agricultura y la alimentación ha sido sustancial y definitivo; sin embargo, Señor Presidente, el marco sombrío de la generalizada recesión económica mundial está bosquejado bien claro y preciso en este documento si lo analizamos parte por parte.

Primeramente, nuestra delegación quiere apoyar en todas sus partes la evaluación general expuesta en las páginas 2 y 3 y, asimismo, el análisis de los precios y la aceleración relacionado en la página 5; la situación de emergencia alimentaria y la ayuda de urgencia, ya que es cada vez mayor el número de países que padecen escasez anormal de alimentos. La expansión de la producción alimentaria sigue siendo menor que la del año anterior, salvo las economías de planificación centralizada que en Asia aumentaron su producción superando el incremento del año anterior, como se dice en la página 8 del texto español.

Análisis objetivo correspondiente a la preocupación de los responsables de las políticas agrícolas de los países desarrollados, en la página 11, cuarto párrafo, es muy interesante la reducción del margen de los precios y costos; el análisis que a renglón seguido se hace de la Comisión de Fertilizantes; en la página 13 se hace una evaluación no muy profunda de las verdaderas causas de los problemas que confronta el comercio agrícola y de alimentos; se hace ver el debilitamiento de los valores unitarios de las importaciones en dólares y la disminución del volumen del comercio de alimentos que subraya la debilidad de la demanda.

En la página 15 en lo que concierne a existencias de alimentos se hace ver la existencia de una demanda efectiva bastante débil.

El párrafo 3 de esta sección es, a nuestro juicio, también revelador de la injusta realidad de la acumulación de existencias; pone de relieve el desequilibrio crónico entre la oferta y la demanda. Los países desarrollados están produciendo muchos más alimentos; algunos de estos países introducen programas para desviar los productos hacia la alimentación de animales; actualmente uno de ellos ha iniciado un programa cuya finalidad es reducir la producción de cereales ; en cambio, en los países en desarrollo existe una enorme demanda sin satisfacer.

Ante esta situación nos preguntamos: ¿Cómo se podrá materializar los esfuerzos para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria mundial que se enumera modestamente en la página 19?

Señor Presidente, lamentablemente en estos momentos, reafirmado incluso en la última reunión de la UNCTAD la bancarrota del actual sistema de relaciones económicas y la crisis monetaria financiera internas, nos dicen que son los orígenes de esta caótica situación. La economía del Tercer Mundo reflejada en este documento se ha visto golpeada por la desintegración del sistema de tipo de cambio, la aparición de enormes déficits de la balanza de pagos en cuenta corriente, la inflación galopante y la escasez de recursos financieros utilizables en condiciones adecuadas, fenómeno que ha aumentado en forma desmedida las tasas de interés y el endeudamiento externo.

¿Cómo podemos los países subdesarrollados enfrentar la política de los bancos comerciales de crear, con la fuerza común, a toque de pluma, dinero sin otro reparto de la fuerza coercitiva? ¿Cómo podemos enfrentar la realidad de institucionalizar el desorden financiero? ¿Cómo podremos enfrentarnos con la fluctuación de las tasas de cambio que producen incertidumbre, depreciación, reducción del valor de los ingresos por exportación, desnivel de las reservas y que ha hecho prácticamente imposible cualquier proceso de programación económica en estos países? ¿Cómo podremos afrontar las altas tasas de inflación producidas por la práctica deformación de precios en forma unilateral y la brusca afiliación de los gastos improductivos, en especial los gastos militares?

Los países subdesarrollados han quedado así atrapados en la red de un mercado de dinero en alto grado especulativo y restrictivo que se nos ofrece reducir más de los ya ínfimos niveles de vida, la famosa austeridad, y dejar operar a bajo costo y sin restricción a las empresas transnacionales.

¿Como podremos afrontar una financiación externa condicionados en la medida en que asfixia el FIDA, el PNUD y la FAO en parte? La FAO ha sido, y lo demuestra con este informe el organismo de las Naciones Unidas más dinámico en la batalla por el desarrollo del Tercer Mundo. Recordemos, entre otras acciones, el Plan Indicativo Mundial presentado por la FAO hace más de veinte años, en 1962, en que se establecían directrices para que en 1985 esta horrible realidad que azotaba a la humanidad fuera un amargo recuerdo de un ingrato pasado. Desafortunadamente nos encontramos bastante lejos de esa posibilidad; hoy es más evidente que nunca la lejanía de lograr el objetivo tan primario como esencial de que los seres humanos dispongan de alimentos suficientes para desarrollar sus potencialidades en el disfrute de una vida plena; la realidad cierta, aunque dolorosa, es que el hambre no solo persiste más allá de las metas para erradicarla, sino que tiende a crecer.

Y para agravar más esta situación, todo esto ocurre en medio de una desenfrenada carrera armamentista, que es insensata no solo por su esencial peligrosidad y dismensiones, sino también por los contrastes que establecen entre los colosales recursos invertidos en el desarrollo de los medios de exterminio del hombre y las necesidades vitales y cotidianas de nuestros pueblos. Sobre este importante aspecto el Director General nos ha hablado varias veces y ultimamente en la intervención de la 6a UNCTAD también dejó sentir su palabra clara y precisa de que la FAO, organismo para la Alimentación y la Agricultura, también tendrá que entrar a analizar los problemas del armamentismo.

No pudiéramos decir que esta difícil situación alimentaria persiste por falta de análisis y preocupación. Recientemente cuando se celebró en la India la 7a Cumbre del Movimiento de Países no Alineados, el Presidente saliente, el Comandante Fidel Castro, presentó un exhaustivo análisis de la crisis económica y social en el mundo donde se dedica un capítulo específico a los problemas de la crisis y la alimentación y a la FAO en su labor, en su combate contra el hambre.

Se analiza de manera precisa la evaluación de la producción agrícola alimentaria en el Tercer Mundo incluyendo las sombrías perspectivas. Asimismo también contamos con un documento muy profundo y analítico de la FAO "Agricultura Horizonte 2000", ¿cómo lo utilizamos? Aquí, dentro de la FAO, solamente concluye entre otros importantes aspectos que para el año 2000 en que el excedente neto de cereales de los países desarrollados alcanzará la cifra de unos 213 millones de toneladas, los países del Tercer Mundo enfrentarán un déficit ascendente a 165 millones de toneladas.

Asimismo la importación agrícola de los países subdesarrollados absorberá no menos del 95 del valor de sus exportaciones originadas en la agricultura, lo que limitará drásticamente las posibilidades de obtener saldos comerciales positivos.

No es difícil concluir que los países menos adelantados tendrán importaciones agrícolas superiores al menos dos veces y media a sus exportaciones de dichos productos. Esta perspectiva, sumamente difícil, no podrá tampoco ser superada, o al menos mitigada en estos países si no se cuenta con ayudas financieras externas adecuadas que sustenten los esfuerzos propios que efectúen esos países, y esto parece difícil dentro del contexto del orden monetario financiero imperante.

Seguramente todos los presentes coincidimos en que la existencia de grandes masas hambrientas y desnutridas en el mundo constituye una afrenta para toda la humanidad; afrenta que es mayor aún cuando algunos países desarrollados siguen haciendo uso de los alimentos como arma política.

Es preciso buscar una solución estable y permanente a este grave problema; es una responsabilidad colectiva que nosotros miembros de este importante Consejo no podremos soslayar. Debemos de tratar de encontrar una solución inmediata a la aguda crisis mundial de alimentos. Africa se nos presenta como la más aguda; creemos que una vía pudiera ser lograr flujos importantes provenientes de los enormes excedentes mundiales transferidos en forma de donación, créditos blandos y ventas a precios especiales.

También es de vital importancia la creación de reservas alimentarias mundiales, luchando a la vez contra la inhumana y deliberada reducción de la producción de alimentos y esa absurda destrucción por motivos comerciales en determinados países.

Consideramos muy válido que junto al flujo imprescindible de sus tasas, recursos derivados de la revisión de los gastos militares y de otras fuentes exista también en la Comunidad Internacional un aporte de recursos financieros tecnológicos y humanos que coadyuven a la solución de estos complejos problemas antes analizados. Los países que no disponen de medios financieros suficientes podrían aportar otros recursos de acuerdo con sus posibilidades, como es la asistencia mediante el envío de médicos, ingenieros, profesores y otros técnicos en forma gratuita o en favorables condiciones de pago; esta sería una verdadera y real cooperación dentro de un marco real de interdependencia.

Por ultimo, consideramos necesario llevar a la conciencia de todos los países, especialmente a los subdesarrollados, la necesidad de promover los cambios estructurales internos indispensables. En este punto apoyamos totalmente la exposición de la distinguida representación de Etiopía referente a uno de los eventos más profundos que se han efectuado en esta FAO, que es la Conferencia Mundial de Reforma Agraria, en la cual hay que insistir para ver si realmente nuestros países pueden llegar a tener un común factor fundamental: el desarrollo,

S.A. MAHMOOD (Bangladesh): My delegation would like to convey its thanks and compliment the Director-General on his very precise and exhaustive portrayal of the existing global situation. I also thank the Assistant Director-General, Professor Islam, for the presentation of his excellent study on the current world food situation, bringing into focus the paradox of the prevailaing situation. The obvious trend of progressive deprivation in the developing economies, particularly in Africa, as also in countries in Asia and Latin America, against a backdrop of global surpluses is a matter of the gravest concern, pushing the long cherished goals of elimination of hunger and malnutrition. It is imperative at this stage that the political will of the world community is meaningfully reflected in dealing with this most demanding challenge.

It has already been very correctly pointed out by the Director-General and Professor Islam that the prevailing situation in spite of its uncertainties and anomalies offers some positive aspects which can be used to advantage. However, the tendency on the part of some developed countries reflected in some of their policies obviously has not been compatible with identified requirements of the developing economies, and their efforts in agricultural development which cannot but cause serious misgivings. The problem of today is not only to produce food but also to make the same available to all that need food, and this has been rightly identified in the document under study.

Again, maintenance of self-sufficiency in agro based economy is as difficult and as delicate an exercise as attaining self-sufficiency. This calls for in-depth evaluation of the existing situation and possibly redesigning of national, regional and global strategies.

The FAO Secretariat has been doing a commendable job in studying the complex situation and helping in designing strategies, and I take this opportunity to thank the Director-General again for his very excellent exposition of the total situation this morning. In the backdrop of the growing food imbalances as revealed in Dr. Islam's report, the developing economies in Africa, Asia and Latin America need at the moment not only adequate assistance in their development efforts but also adequate food aid on a sustained basis.

I am confident that FAO, being the lead organization, can further enhance its efforts in this regard
and that it will receive in turn all the support from the world community in realizing its strategies and objectives,and a substantial augmentation of its resources.

J. TCHICAYA (Congo) : La delegation de mon pays a examiné avec beaucoup d'attention les documents CL 83/2 et CL 83/2 Sup.1. Il ressort de cet examen qu'il s'agit de documents fouillés, bien structurés et concis, qui doivent permettre au Conseil d'apprécier utilement la situation actuelle de l'alimentation dans le monde. Nous voudrions donc exprimer nos félicitations au Secrétariat de la FAO, et spécialement au Professeur Islam qui en a fait une brillante présentation.

Ces documents sont d'autant plus utiles qu'ils complètent harmonieusement la déclaration courageuse et pertinente que nous a faite le. Directeur général de la FAO, à qui notre délégation voudrait rendre hommage pour les efforts qu'il ne cesse de déployer pour mettre l'humanité entière devant ses responsabilités historiques face aux problèmes de la faim, de la malnutrition et de la misère dans le monde.

Tous les éléments contenus dans le document soumis à notre examen sont suffisamment explicites. L'humanité possède tous les moyens pour atteindre l'objectif que s'était fixé la Conférence mondiale de l'alimentation en 1974, c'est-à-dire celui d'éradiquer la faim et la malnutrition d'ici 1985.

Mais là, hélas, l'élément essentiel manque; je veux parler de la volonté politique de tous les gouvernements. En effet, il est surprenant de constater que les disponibilités mondiales totales des principaux produits alimentaires ont augmenté, et que la production alimentaire par habitant a néanmoins diminué dans les pays en développement à économie de marché.

Il convient de s'interroger sur cette absence de progrès dans ces pays, et spécialement ceux d'Afrique dont le sort paraît le plus menacé. Ici tous les rapports concordent, ce manque de dynamisme de l'économie rurale africaine est le résultat de la faiblesse des investissements consentis pour développer ce secteur, et nous savons tous que ces pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire souffrent d'une insuffisance de ressources susceptibles de favoriser l'acquisition de moyens agricoles, la capacité de production agricole et alimentaire, et d'avoir une agriculture qui ne dépende pas des seules conditions physiques naturelles qui l'exposent tant aux sécheresses qu'aux inondations périodiques ainsi qu'aux ravageurs de toutes sortes.

M. le Président, la délégation de mon pays se réjouit de constater que, pour la seconde année consécutive, les stocks mondiaux de céréales ont sensiblement augmenté par rapport à la consommation mondiale, mais voudrait exprimer également ses inquiétudes face à l'injuste répartition géographique de ces stocks, qui manquent atrocement dans beaucoup de pays en développement, les exposant à une insécurité alimentaire effrayante.

Notre conseil doit mettre à profit cette période d'abondance au niveau mondial pour lancer un appel aux pays nantis afin qu'ils prennent les dispositions utiles pour combler cette lacune et permettre à toutes les régions, voire tous les pays, de disposer de réserves alimentaires. Le moment, à notre avis, semble plus que favorable.

A cet égard, nous pensons contraire à la sécurité alimentaire mondiale d'encourager les producteurs à réduire les superficies emblavées, lorsqu'on sait qu'une telle politique vise la diminution de la production qui entraîne une augmentation du prix des produits agricoles et décroît la capacité d'achat des pays importateurs à faible revenu. Ainsi la consommation dans ces pays s'en trouverait réduite, ce qui, à nos yeux, paraît suicidaire lorsque l'on connaît la faiblesse actuelle du niveau de consommation alimentaire dans ces pays dont l'endettement extérieur est un sujet de préoccupation d'une vivante actualité.

La récession mondiale frappe certes sans distinction les pays riches et les pays pauvres, mais nous savons tous qu'elle est ressentie plus douloureusement dans les pays en développement, en raison de la fragilité même des structures de ces derniers. C'est pourquoi le Conseil doit en appeler à l'opinion mondiale pour qu'elle redouble d'efforts dans la mise en oeuvre des négociations devant aboutir à un nouvel ordre international sans lequel la fin de la récession qui semble pointer à l'horizon risque d'être éphémère. Il ressort de toute cette analyse que toute relance économique mondiale passe par la résolution durable des situations prévalant dans les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire. La communauté internationale dispose de moyens pour une exploitation rationnelle des ressources naturelles des pays déficitaires.

La situation en Afrique est plus que préoccupante, et nous sommes reconnaissants au Directeur général de la FAO de l'attention soutenue qu'il apporte aux pays de cette région, mais cet effort demeure insuffisant au regard de l'ampleur de la situation catastrophique qui prévaut dans cette région et la menace continuellement, situation sur laquelle nous reviendrons au cours de cette session de notre Conseil.

Les perspectives de production de l'Afrique nous inquiètent et nous sommes heureux que les maux qui minent l'agriculture africaine aient été recensés par le Comité de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. C'est ainsi que nous savons que le niveau d'investissement en agriculture est faible et appelle de la part de la communauté internationale des efforts particuliers si l'on veut accroître la productivité du paysan africain. Et, à cet égard, la faible consommation des engrais en Afrique est un facteur déterminant qui explique cette basse productivité.

Le volume d'assistance extérieure et d'aide alimentaire doit être réactivé pour ne pas continuer à être inférieur aux besoins annuels dans ce secteur, à moins d'accepter la perpétuation de la situation actuelle. Hélas, on ne peut s'empêcher d'être pessimiste lorsque l'on constate que des organismes chargés d'aider les pays à faible revenu et à déficit alimentaire éprouvent tous des difficultés pour obtenir les ressources nécessaires pour leur permettre de jouer pleinement leur rôle. C'est le cas du CPA, dont la reconstitution des ressources traverse des difficultés certaines; du PAM, dont l'objectif proposé par le Directeur exécutif pour le biennum 1985-86 n'a pu être accepté par le CPA qu'après une réduction substantielle résultant d'un compromis difficile, sans que nous soyons sûrs que ce dernier sera atteint dans la période indiquée.

M. le Président, le moment est venu, pensons-nous, d'affecter une partie des ressources actuellement distraites dans l'armement pour apporter une solution définitive au problème de l'alimentation, afin de rendre effectif le concept du droit à la nourriture pour tous, qui exclue en conséquence l'utilisation de l'aide alimentaire à des fins politiques, mettant en péril l'indépendance des pays bénéficiaires.

C. NTSANE (Lesotho): Mr. Chairman, I thank you very much. We are happy once more to be with you at this meeting, and we congratulate all your assistants for this Session.

This document provides a premise from which we can meaningfully examine the proposed Programme of Work and Budget, when that time comes. The usefulness of this document is illustrated by the fact that in his introduction, Professor Islam has already indicated what is being done to address low food production in Africa south of the Sahara with special reference to livestock, and while we heartily welcome the Pan-African rinderpest control programme, it would bring greater relief to know a specific programme designed to step up food production once and for all. We submit that in southern Africa, special attention to water conservation and use is the key to a solution of the persistent drought problem. We wish to come back to this issue when we discuss the Programme of Work and Budget. It is important to establish a direct relationship between programmes and the ugly world food situation and to seek permanent solutions.

The second major area of concern is the declining level of aid. Perhaps our colleagues from donor countries might wish to enlighten us on the prospects for the future so that we can know precisely how to direct the Secretariat to restructure the Programme of Work in order to take account of the future situation in the area of development aid.

Finally, my delegation greatly appreciates what is reflected under efforts to improve world food security on page 15, and we look forward to positive reports in the future.

LEE CHENG YAN (Malaysia): Mr. Chairman, may I first of all on behalf of the delegation from Malaysia express our pleasure to see you again in the chair to conduct the deliberations of this important governing body of the FAO, namely the 83rd Session of the Council. We are confident that this Session of the Council will be concluded successfully under your very able leadership.

Since this is our first intervention, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Permanent Representative of the USA to FAO, Mr. Roger Sorenson, His Excellency Mr.Pereira Silva, The Minister of Rural Development of Cape Verde, and Mr. Yousef Hamdi, the Permanent Representative of Egypt to FAO for being elected Vice-Chairmen of this Session, and to His Excellency Mr. Ariza Hidalgo, the Ambassador of Cuba to FAO, for being elected Chairman of the Drafting Committee. With the vast experience of these distinguished members, we feel confident that our task would be a fruitful one.

Further, my delegation would like especially to congratulate and to express our deep appreciation to the Director-General of the FAO, Dr. Edouard Saouma, for his comprehensive and realistic key-note address, and to Professor Islam for his clear introduction of the document entitled "Current World Food Situation".

It is clear from the Director-General's speech and also from Professor Islam's introduction that first, notwithstanding some positive developments in the food outlook in some developing countries, there continue to be signs that the long-term outlook is still uncertain and far from satisfactory. Though world cereal production has risen in recent years, we are informed there is still a large number of low-income food-deficit countries which are experiencing production shortfalls and that food situation in Africa has again deteriorated.

Secondly, even though materially, there is enough food in the world for everyone, there still remain millions in the developing countries who are hungry and short of food. This is because world food supplies are not fairly distributed.

It is a paradox that many in the low-income food-deficit countries have experienced food shortage and live in the shadow of hunger and malnutrition while there are plentiful supplies of food in other developed regions of the world.

Thirdly, due to the continued world recession, coupled with the increased tendency of some developed countries toward protectionism through export subsidies and other similar practices such as tariff and non-tariff barriers on export of the developing countries, and through other trade and other economic sanctions, the capacity of the developing countries to finance development programmes and import their food requirements has been greatly hampered

The problems and issues facing us have been well defined. The international community has accorded priority attention on the problem of food, hunger and malnutrition, but today we seem to be completely mesmerized and unable to extricate ourselves from the same problems and issues which seem to grow and become more complex. We are disappointed that there have been too many failures to translate decisions taken at previous multilateral negotiations into concrete actions. It has been repeatedly stressed that in order for us to respond justly and effectively to this important issue and to this most pressing problem of mankind, that is, to ensure that every human being is able to get his food at all times, particularly under the present economic climate, the international community must increasingly and sincerely play its role as envisaged in the New International Economic Order.

The sad truth is that today there appears to be wavering will to reinforce and adhere faithfully to the ideals and principles to which all of us have given our commitment. Today, the world economy is going through a most difficult phase. It has slipped into a state of deep depression, causing despair among many of us, particularly those in the developing countries. We sincerely hope it is a passing phenomenon, a man-made phenomenon which he can surely undo if he has the will and determination. We not only hope but urge them to reverse their decisions which have led to the economic crisis that we face today and to bring back some order and stability to the limping world economy.

In this respect, we are happy to see some signs of recovery, but what has been the effect of the present economic situation? Among other things, we are confronted with high interest rates, growing inflation, rising unemployment, mounting protectionism, tumbling commodity prices and a tight squeeze in financial aid. These have put a very heavy constraint towards the development efforts of developing countries, towards their capacity to implement programmes to increase food production and towards their capacity to import food to feed their people, resulting in ever-increasing incidence of hunger and malnutrition. The international community would definitely not want to see the situation entirely deteriorate further.

How could we therefore confront the issues and minimize the problem? There is no one specific solution. As we have noticed before, agricultural development is a complex problem. It involves a host of factors which have to be coordinated efficiently and effectively. However, we do all agree that a large amount of emphasis has to be placed on the need to produce more food throughout the world and that individual countries should, as far as is possible, strive to become self-reliant in their food requirements. Producing more food, though important, is not an end in itself. Better distribution of the food available in the world and within nations should be the goal of food production programmes. The global food situation will continue to be subjective to ever-increasing prices in the years to come. Demand for food will still outpace production capacity. Population growth, vagaries of climate, natural disasters, increasing cost of production and limited land resources for cultivation are only some of the factors that have contributed to the shortage of food supplies. To meet the situation it will require a wide variety of measures which must be tailored to the specific needs of the individual country or individual region of the country. Modernising agriculture seems to be a way to increase food production. Since developing countries are at different stages of development with different kinds of resources and cultures, modernisation of agricultural programmes and activities must be developed on the basis of the stage of development and the capacity of a country to undertake the development. The efforts and assistance of the international agencies like FAO and the World Bank and other regional banks where there is abundant expertise in the field of food and agricultural development should be encouraged and strengthened. However, it must be pointed out that in the past, the emphasis and the approaches to the problems of increasing food production have been technical in nature, such as improving physical infrastructure and introduction of new techniques.

Since people is a main factor in the development programme, development efforts should be sensitive to the social and political factors and shift the emphasis from simply providing technical aids to putting more emphasis on social development, helping the people to build awareness to tale advantage of the system and circumstances so that they can make their own decisions and participate effectively in the development process.

In the context of increasing and accelerating food and agricultural development, the government of Malaysia has taken those factors mentioned earlier and formulated policies and programmes which could bring about enhanced development in this very important sector of our economy. At present, Malaysia is experiencing a rapid rate of economic development. There is a constant need for investment both within the agricultural sector itself and those in the non-agricultural sector. The increasing population and the growing pace of industrialisation and the demand for increasing volume of agricultural products to meet this demand, has brought about an increased accelerated agricultural production under the competing situation with the basic factors of production, namely, labour and land.

This means that the required increase in production is to be achieved largely through higher productivity by the ever-decreasing agricultural work force and suitable area capable for agricultural production. We hope that the result of this adjustment would bring about the desired increase in productivity instrumental in achieving the objective of our new economic policy, namely the eradication of poverty among the citizens, and to reduce social economic disparities between the agricultural and the non-agricultural sectors.

In conclusion, my delegation would like once again to reiterate our concern over the present trend in the world food production, especially in Africa and those vulnerable countries in other regions. Much more effort has to be put in by all of us, from developed and developing countries alike, if the whole problem of world hunger is to be reduced. In this connexion we are highly appreciative of the enduring efforts of the Director-General of FAO and his staff in trying to assist the developing countries to improve their food production capabilities and capacity. We give our whole-hearted support to the activities and efforts of the Organization.

P. GOSSELIN (Canada): We would like to join with our other colleagues in commending the Secretariat for providing this informative and well-balanced document. We would commend the drafters of the document for drawing our attention not only to the problems but also to the notable success that some nations are beginning to enjoy for having invested their resources wisely and taking some of the difficult resource allocation policy decisions which have undoubtedly had a great deal to do with their success. We have heard some of the success stories this afternoon from distinguished delegates from China and Pakistan. From the point of view of the Canadian cereals production, the latest in the albeit preliminary estimates for 1983/84 indicate an increase of 6 percent in the land area sown to cereals which we estimate will yield a somewhat smaller crop than last year of about 26 million tons, and, on the other hand, a somewhat larger carryover of about 10.6 million tons.

Turning to the document we have a few observations to make. This document, as so many others that we have seen in other fora, makes the point about the unequal distribution of food stocks and draws from that fact that this even of itself poses a threat to food security. My delegation, however, pleads that food security is a much broader concept than those remarks tend to imply. It may not be given to all nations to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, and perhaps the best utilization of their scarce resources lies in other areas which allows them to acquire the needed foodstuffs in world markets. As a major producer and exporter of cereals and other foodstuffs, Canada shares the concerns that are reflected in the larger concept of food security about the necessity of ensuring the availability of the needed food and to enhance the effect of demand, i.e. the ability to purchase of developing countries through liberalized trading systems both among developing countries and between developing countries and the developed countries. It is perhaps for this reason that my Government attaches a great deal of importance to the agricultural work programme, currently being undertaken in the GATT.

Mr. Chairman, we believe that if there were a few additional elements in the document before us it might provide us with a somewhat more complete analysis of the situation. The first element is that while we are given information on overall movements in food production, which appear to be positive, this is then contrasted per capita food availability which is declining, and that of course is deplored. We are left with an inferred causality, and here probably we are relating to population growth. Perhaps this causality could be borne out in other documents and the emphasis more clearly placed. Secondly, the document deals with official development assistance force to the agricultural sector, and there is considerable comment on the adequacy of these resources. We believe this is only part of the resource picture and we believe it could be very useful for the same analytical scrutiny to be brought to bear on so-called budgetary resources on developing and developed countries being applied to the agricultural sector.

Our interest in the wholistic approach, Mr. Chairman, perhaps explains why my Government has enthusiastically supported the food strategy approach because we believe that if this is followed it will give a higher priority to the food sector both in terms of budgetary resources and a general assistance, but also in terms of attention the policy formulation will receive.

Turning to the question of the IFR, we continue to believe in the joint pledging mechanism and trust that it will provide the needed resources in predictability. On the question of resources I would like to recall the Director-General's statement when he pointed to the unfortunate decline in a donor base. We believe that emergencies as well as the overall work of the World Food Programme are the responsibility of all Member Governments.

Whether contributions are large or small is not really the issue. The issue is the tangible commitment to the Programme. This declining participation does not argue convincingly for the needs of the Programme, nor does it provide a convincing argument for requests for more resources from already hard-hit administrations, and I would therefore urge all countries to make their pledges known to the IFR and the WFP.

Finally, the document presents in its analysis a disquieting picture of the facts and changes in food production and the availability of food in Africa. In the light of these problems my Government, through the agencies of SIDA, which is our development association, is giving its first priority to agricultural development, and agricultural development particularly in Africa.

A. PEREZ-MARSA HERNANDEZ (España): Considero un deber y una obligación por parte de España el que en su representación pronuncie unas muy breves palabras al inicio de este 83° período de sesiones del Consejo., en el cual entramos a ser miembros. Mi fecilitación a usted, señor Presidente, así como a aquellas personas que han sido nominadas para ocupar los puestos de responsabilidad de este Consejo, concretamente el Representante de Estados Unidos, Sr. Sorenson, a Su Excelencia, el Ministro de Desarrollo Rural de Cabo Verde, Sr. Pereira Silva, al representante de Egipto, Sr. Hamdi, así como al Presidente del Comité de Redacción, Su Excelencia el Embajador de Cuba, Sr. Ariza. Estoy seguro de que bajo su dirección y contando con la colaboración de todos, los resultados del mismo serán fructíferos en la labor a realizar por la FAO.

Deseo, igualmente, expresar mi agradecimiento a aquellos países que en el transcurso de la 21a Conferencia de la FAO apoyaron con su voto la situación de España como miembros del Consejo. Han transcurrido diez años desde la última vez que España formo parte del Consejo; pero en este período de tiempo hemos asistido con el máximo interés, como país observador, a los períodos de sesiones celebrados pudiendo constatar cómo sus actuaciones quedaban plasmadas en las labores de la Organización.

Mi delegación, Señor Presidente, ha escuchado con verdadero interés la declaración del Señor Director General y quiere, asimismo, felicitarle por su brillante exposición de esta mañana. Quisiera felici-tar también al Profesor Islam y la Secretaría de la FAO por la presentación del Documento CL 83/2 y CL 83/2 Sup. 1,que presenta con mucha realidad la situación actual de la alimentación en el mundo. Analizando detenidamente el Documento, y para ser breves puesto que nos siguen cuatro oradores más, todas las cuestiones que se contemplan en el mismo documento son de por sí complejas, pero deberán resolverse con la voluntad necesaria de los que. formamos parte en este Consejo.

J. BELGRAVE (New Zealand): I would like first to welcome you on behalf of the New Zealand delegation. We are sure, Sir, that you will chair our meeting effectively as you did in November, and offer you our full and continuing support.

Also, New Zealand would like to put on record its congratulations to the three newly-elected Vice-Chairmen and also to the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Sir, in compiling some remarks on item 2 we would like first of all to congratulate the Director-
General on his far-reaching and pertinent statement. His statement contained many points that we can
accept, and I think also pointed to areas where further work is necessary before a consensus emerges
on some of the more difficult and complex problems which confront us.

My delegation would also like to congratulate Professor Islam, particularly on his introduction this morning in which he put this item in very clear perspective. We attach, I think as do others, considerable importance to the success of work being undertaken in the GATT which was mentioned this morning, and also look for a successful conclusion on matters currently under consideration at UNCTAD VI.

New Zealand shares the general concern noted by the Secretariat in the document CL 83/2. I think, Sir, this document points out something of a contradiction. It notes that there has been an improvement in food supply in global terms, but nevertheless in some regions food deficits remain. The situation is exacerbated by a reduction in the growth of foreign exchange earnings of many developing countries, and indeed the earnings of some other countries also. The consumer demand has continued to fall, and protectionist policies, aggravated by the industrial recession, make it difficult for food producing developing countries to obtain prices for their products which would encourage them further to develop their agriculture.

Also of significance is the growing foreign indebetedness mentioned this morning by the Director-General that has also affected the developing countries' ability to pay for essential inputs; for example, fertilizers to help improved production. Therefore, Sir, we find that progress in improving the world nutrition has been slow, and indeed food production on a per capita basis in some areas of the world has actually declined.

Mr. Chairman, at the 82nd Council Session last year, New Zealand was among those delegations which emphasized that the most desirable way to improve the world situation is to encourage countries to improve their own food production rathei' than, as is often the case, of having to rely heavily on the transfer of food from developed countries' surpluses. New Zealand remains of this view since we feel policies of such transfer can affect the sensitive structural balance of food production and trade. In the short term, of course, some benefits may accrue, but in the long term there is no food security, and surplus trading encourages disincentives to investment and production in recipient countries. Indeed, Mr. Chairman, when we come to consider the FAO Work-Programme later in this Council Session, this matter is likely to be addressed again.

The problem needs also to be addressed from the perspective endorsed by FAO of the continuation of the development of food production programmes in the developing world within a favourable international trading environment. Requirements that need to be addressed in this context include the development of specific incentives in the financial and technical areas to produce food, adequate access to overseas markets to earn foreign exchange to pay for essential inputs such as fertilizers, insecticides and so on, further development of pest and disease control programmes and the development of an internal market demand to encourage food production initially.

Before concluding, I should like to emphasize the importance that the New Zealand delegation attaches to a continuation of the general world economic recovery that seems now to be just starting. If this recover can be sustained, then the problems we face will start to be alleviated by external factors Hopefully, international economic recovery will also help to reduce tendencies towards agricultural protectionism with the result that a real increase in global world food trade will help reverse the disturbing developments in the terms of trade of many developing countries which were highlighted by the Director-General when he spoke to us this morning. The New Zealand delegation congratulates FAO for its continuing efforts to improve food production. This Council Session will examine and deliberate on specific areas of the Organization's work in this most important area. I can assure the Council that New Zealand remains fully in support of FAO's objectives.

Y.A. HAMDI (Egypt) (original language Arabic): Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure indeed to see you again chairing our session and I shall start by thanking the distinguished members of the Council for their confidence, particularly the representatives of Congo, Cyprus and Malaysia. I avail myself of this opportunity also to congratulate the Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Sorenson and Mr. Silva on their election.

My country's delegation wishes to thank the Director-General for his comprehensive report which was distinguished by an excellent analysis of the problems relating to the human community of food and agriculture and also for his brief expose on the matters submitted to the Council.

I also wish to thank Professor Nour Islam for his presentation of the document under discussion. My country's delegation wishes to express its reserved satisfaction with what is stated on pages 4, 6 and 9 of the Arabic text of this document concerning the improvement of the per capita share of food and the reduction of world prices of food products and the increase in world food production. Yet there are a few remarks I wish to make.

First, Table 3 of this document refers to an increase in the number of countries affected by abnormal food shortages, particularly African countries, which makes it imperative to make available effective emergency assistance and also food reserve stocks, because of their telling influence on development. Second, the Near East and Africa have not made such good progress in food production as explained on page 9, which requires that there should be well defined recommendations that can serve as a programme of action for providing assistance to these two regions, by helping them increase their production.

Thirdly, from analysis of the special sections on trade in food commodities it appears that there has been an important development which is not in favour of low-income countries and this results in an increased demand on food supplies by certain countries, which led to a deficit in the balance of payment of developing countries, requires a strengthening of the infrastructure for food stuff marketing. The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has read a statement at the Sixth UNCTAD Conference yesterday emphasizing the necessity of cooperation between developing and developed countries and the encouragement of trade and the liberalization thereof from customs barriers and other protectionist policies and the improvement of the preferential treatment system.

Fourthly, the greater part of cereal stocks and dairy products are concentrated in developed countries at a time when developing countries did not achieve any improvement in their stocks or reserves. We have not denied the negative effects of this state of affairs which makes us always trust in a continuing dialogue for a new world economic order.

Fifth, from an analysis of Table 7 we see a decrease in the flow of external assistance in all its forms in spite of the emphasis made on the importance of this assistance in several international fora. This decrease or drop has been substantial in bilateral assistance and this leads us to make an appeal to all countries and financing institutions to facilitate the conditions of a good flow of such assistance to developing countries.

G.E. GONZALEZ (Argentina): Señor Presidente, quisiéramos, en primer termino, expresar nuestra felicitación a usted y a los tres Vicepresidentes que hemos elegido en el día de hoy, y hacer llegar también nuestras felicitaciones a la Secretaría por la elaboración de los documentos objetivos como el que nos ha presentado, así como por la clara introducción que nos hiciera el profesor Islam del tema que estamos discutiendo.

Entendemos que el documento describe en forma resumida el cuadro general de la producción, la oferta, la demanda, existencia y precios de alimentos, puntualizando los aspectos positivos y negativos de la situación actual. Constituye una descripción exacta de la compleja situación coyuntural de la producción de alimentos y, quizás por lo sintético del documento, impide que se haya incursíonado en los aspectos estructurales de la problemática alimentaria mundial.

El documento no incorpora todos los diversos componentes de la seguridad alimentaria en su concepto ampliado y, a nuestro juicio, quizás no pondera adecuadamente todos los ingredientes que definen el nuevo concepto de seguridad alimentariaj pero no por ello, señor Presidente, el diagnóstico es menos claro y casi obvio, Los problemas son de índole estructural y sus soluciones exigen cambios de fondo.

No hay duda que nos encontramos frente a la crisis económica más grave de los últimos cincuenta años y que la misma afecta a todos los países del mundo; pero también es indudable que son los países en desarrollo los que en forma más directa, más dramática sufren sus efectos.

Los países en desarrollo, en su gran mayoría, dependen de la venta de sus productos agrícolas y en general de los productos primarios para importar bienes de capital y todo aquello que necesitan para su desarrollo; sin embargo, algunos países industrializados han reaccionado frente a las dificultades de la crisis adoptando políticas proteccionistas totalmente desmedidas.

En la reciente reunión de Williamsburg se reconoció cuan, nocivo resulta a la Comunidad Internacional la aplicación de estas medidas y hoy, con toda objetividad, nos lo fue claramente destacado por nuestro Director General en su brillante intervención.

En Williamsburg se coincidió en la necesidad de detener el proteccionismo y a medida que la reactivación se confirma, a suprimirlo eliminando los obstáculos al comercio. Confiamos en que tal reconocimiento no quede en otra mera expresión de deseos y que, por el contrario, con determinación política se comience a instrumentar los cambios que las circunstancias requieren.

En un mundo donde los recursos son cada vez más escasos es prioritario privilegiar las ventajas comparativas existentes. Muchos países en desarrollo cuentan con los recursos naturales, intelectuales, técnicos y económicos para desarrollar en forma eficiente la producción de alimentos. Es necesario terminar con las barreras comerciales, abrir los mercados para que este potencial pueda manifestarse.

Mi país, la Argentina, suma a su condición de ser excedentario de la producción de alimentos la de ser un país en desarrollo. A través de un sistema de producción extensivo, pero con una alta productividad y eficiencia, hemos logrado sostenidos y significativos aumentos de la producción, pero consideramos que hemos llegado a un punto en que resulta muy difícil competir con los países desarrollados que utilizan recursos de otros sectores de sus economías para subsidiar la producción y colocar sus excedentes.

El cuarto párrafo de la página 11 del documento español dice textualmente "Un problema que preocupa a los responsables de las políticas agrícolas de los países desarrollados es la reducción del márgen entre los precios y los costos que han tenido que soportar los productores agrícolas, especialmente en aquellos países en donde la agricultura está más expuesta a las fluctuaciones del mercado". Y el documento menciona el caso de un país en especial, de uno de los principales productores mundiales. No dudamos que a los agricultores de ese gran país se les han reducido los márgenes de beneficio, inclusive creando situaciones de quebrantos en algunos casos; pero es necesario destacar ya que el documento no lo hace, que la situación es mucho más grave en países exportadores, como el mío, que no tienen posibilidad de financiar la venta de excedentes con créditos a tasas preferenciales ni ayudar a sus productores con programas especiales.

Por otra parte, y a título quizás informativo y de ejemplo, quiero referirme al cuadro número 2 de la página 5, siempre me refiero al documento en español, donde se ilustra con claridad la caída de los precios de exportación de trigo, arroz y maíz en los Estados Unidos. Se desprende del mismo que los precios f .o.b. Golfo de Méjico durante el mes de febrero de este año, en el caso del trigo y del maíz, fueron de un 10 y un 20 por ciento respectivamente más bajos que los vigentes en el período 80/81. Los precios f.o.b. Buenos Aires para los mismos productos en similar período han caído el 29 y 25 por ciento, respectivamente. Creo que esto es suficientemente elocuente para caracterizar la delicada situación de los países en desarrollo, productores y exportadores en que nos encontramos.

Por último, quisiéramos referirnos muy brevemente al último punto del documento que trata de los progresos y esfuerzos realizados para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria mundial. Creemos que la ampliación conceptual de la seguridad alimentaria es la base más sólida para lograr progresos en ese sentido. Es por ello que nuestro país le ha dado su más firme apoyo. Argentina siempre ha sostenido que las políticas nacionales son la base indispensable para la mejora de la seguridad alimentaria, que no significa, en manera alguna, que desconozcamos la importancia del esfuerzo que en los distintos niveles se están realizando. Con ese criterio es con el que los países de la región latinoamericana hemos decidido apoyar el establecimiento de un sistema de seguridad alimentaria regional que coadyuve al abastecimiento estable, óptimo y eficiente de alimentos en la región mediante el fomento de la producción, el comercio y la cooperación política. Esta es la filosofía central de C.A.S.A.R., Comité de Acción del SELA para la seguridad alimentaria en América Latina. El Comité en el cual la región tiene depositadas grandes esperanzas y confía que la FAO seguirá brindando todo su apoyo. Eso es todo, muchísimas gracias señor Presidente.

M. TATIETA (Haute-Volta): La delegation de Haute-Volta saisit l'occasion qui lui est offerte pour remercier le Directeur général de la plaidoierie vivante et objective faite en faveur des pays en voie de développement.

Nous remercions le Dr. Islam pour la qualité du rapport que nous examinons présentement.

A propos de l'eclosión de foyers de peste bovine, la Haute-Volta est également concernée. Nous demandons à la FAO, qui a été saisie du problème, d'accélérer son aide pour nous permettre de circonscrire le foyer.

La délégation de Haute-Volta souscrit et appuie le projet d'organisation d'une campagne africaine de lutte contre la peste bovine, et souhaite que toutes les mesures soient prises pour rendre le projet opérationnel dans les meilleurs délais possibles. Cela permettra de sauvegarder un capital très important pour nos pays.

Concernant les capacités de stockage, il a été dit que des progrès ont été enregistrés, mais qu'ils restent insuffisants. De l'avis de la délégation de Haute-Volta pour mieux asseoir cette politique de sécurité alimentaire et augmenter la capacité de stockage dans les pays en voie de développement, un des moyens serait de stocker de plus en plus les produits dans les zones souvent victimes de déficits. Malheureusement nous constatons que les capacités de stockage sont faibles ou inexistantes là où le besoin est vivement ressenti.

A propos des prix de production, le rapport dit que les quotations sont en baisse, malheureusement cette baisse n'a pas encore eu de répercussions au niveau des producteurs voltaïques, au contraire on assiste à une augmentation du prix des engrais du fait de la suppression progressive d'une subvention gouvernementale faite en faveur des engrais, suppression rendue obligatoire suite à certaines contraintes parfois extérieures au pays.

M. le Président, il serait souhaitable que grâce à l'action de la FAO les pays en développement puissent bénéficier pour un certain temps encore d'une opération internationale de subvention pour les facteurs de production. Une telle action permettra un meilleur équipement de nos agriculteurs et augmentera leur capacité de production.

CHAIRMAN: Thank you for that brief and concise statement.

I. INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION (continued)
I. INTRODUCTION - QUESTIONS DE PROCEDURE (suite)
I. INTRODUCCION - CUESTIONES DE PROCEDIMIENTO (continuación)

2. Election of Three Vice-Chairmen and Designation of Chairman and Members of Drafting Committee (continued)
2. Election de trois Vice-Présidents et nomination du Président et des membres du Comité de rédaction (suite)
2. Elección de los tres Vicepresidentes, y nombramiento del Presidente y los Miembros del Comité de Redacción (continuación)

G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Personalmente, lamento que se haya planteado en la Plenaria del Consejo alguna cuestión sobre la integración del Comité de Redacción. Como delegado de Colombia yo creo que no se trata de un miembro más o menos, de una región u otra, sino de actuar guiados por el espíritu de cooperación que debe prevalecer entre nosotros.

Como presidente del Grupo de los 77, mi tarea se limitó a solicitar a cada uno de los presidentes de las cuatro regiones de nuestro grupo sus respectivos candidatos para integrar el Comité de Redacción. Creo que usted, Sr. Presidente, y el Sr.,Sylla, nuestro secretario, explicaron adecuadamente que no hay una regla fija sobre el número de miembros que debe tener el Comité de Redacción, y fue asi como los latinoamericanos pensamos que el hecho de que el Relator fuera de nuestra región no impediría, y esto lo pensamos muy flexiblemente, como lo voy a comprobar al final de mi declaración, no impedí-ría, repito, que hubieran otros dos latinoamericanos, miembros de ese Comité de Redacción, al considerar al Relator de forma independiente. Con ese ánimo flexible ofrecimos un nuevo miembro de nuestra región; pero yo no he estado en la sala, sin embargo, se me ha informado que particularmente los distinguidos colegas de Africa no aceptan esa propuesta del grupo latinoamericano; no entienden, pienso yo, ese sentido de cooperación que queremos ofrecerles nosotros. Después de conocer esos hechos, tuve ocasión de reunirme rápidamente con el Embajador de Nicaragua, presidente del grupo de América Latina y del Caribe, y con unos pocos colegas, miembros del Consejo, porque no esperaba que se presentara un acto semejante, y a través de sus contactos brevísimos y superficiales hemos llegado a la conclusión de que quizás los distintos colegas de Africa no quieren que haya un Comité de Redacción; pues nosotros no tenemos ningún inconveniente en que por América Latina y Caribe haya un solo miembro: México.

Al hacer esta declaración quiero dejar una constancia, como delegado de Colombia, y es que los latinoamericanos no hemos actuado con ninguna ambición, actuamos siempre con espíritu de unidad, aun a costa de ceder y renunciar, en muchas oportunidades, a algunas de nuestras aspiraciones.

Finalmente, los latinoamericanos y del Caribe queremos reiterar a los distinguidos colegas y amigos de Africa nuestra simpatía, nuestra amistad y nuestra solidaridad.

CHAIRMAN: If so many of you want to speak, then I am afraid we must continue the debate tomorrow morning. Since Angola started the debate I will just give the floor to Angola.

B.N. SEQUEIRA (Angola): We are fully satisfied and we are deeply touched by the cooperation and understanding of Ambassador Bula Hoyos and our colleagues from the Latin American region.

TESSEMA NEGASH (Ethiopia): I appreciate the lesson of cooperation that we are getting from the delegate of Colombia. It is not that Africa does not have a spirit of cooperation: it is simply that we asked for equitable representation. As for cooperation, I think the Ambassador of Colombia as Chairman of the Group of 77 knows very well that Africa is the first to abide by this spirit of cooperation.

J. TCHICAYA (Congo): M. le Président, je voudrais également rendre hommage à l'esprit de coopération que vient de manifester l'ambassadeur de Colombie en rappelant toutefois que nous n'avons pas demandé à ce qu'un délégué soit retiré; nous avons simplement demandé à ce que, au sein du groupe de rédaction, une répartition équitable soit réservée à tous les groupes. Nous pensions, pour notre part, que deux représentants de chaque région devaient y figurer. Je sais également qu'il n'y a pas de règle là-dessus qui donne une répartition des membres mais d'après ce que venait de nous dire le Secrétaire général du Conseil, le nombre variait entre huit et onze. Or, si je regarde la liste qui nous est communiquée il semble que nous ayons 12 membres plus un président ce qui fait que cette session serait exceptionnelle.

C'est pour cette raison que, pour ma part, en rendant hommage au délégué de Colombie, je crois pouvoir appuyer la proposition qu'il vient de faire, et de toute façon lui, en tant que président du groupe des 77, comme l'a dit mon collègue d'Ethiopie, il sait que le groupe africain a toujours coopéré dans un esprit de collaboration suffisamment franche.

CHAIRMAN: I want to thank all the delegations - Angola, Ethiopia, Congo and Colombia. I hope that this spirit of cooperation and understanding will be the mechanism through which we will function for these two weeks.

I would request the delegates concerned - Congo, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indonesia, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Mexico, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, the United States of America and New Zealand -to indicate to the Secretariat as soon as possible the names of the members of their delegation who will attend the Drafting Committee meetings. The Drafting Committee will probably start its work on Wednesday.

A.G. MGONGI MAMANGA (Cameroon): I am not sure if my hearing aid was failing but I think I heard three Latin American names again on the list of the Drafting Committee. I wish to be sure. I speak not to spoil the meeting, but I am representing the interests of the group. I think the Ambassador of Colombia offered to withdraw one name for Latin America and it was accepted. So I wish the Chairman to clarify the situation.

CHAIRMAN: I do not know who accepted it. My hearing was that whilst they appreciated the gesture there did not seem to be need and everyone talked about cooperation; therefore I thought that we had come to an understanding.

A. ACUÑA HUMPHRIES (Panamá): Sí, Señor Presidente, para manifestarle y además concluir con esta situación de que solamente participará por Latinoamérica, con el Comité de Redacción, Cuba y México.

CHAIRMAN: So we will have only Cuba and Mexico. With that we will adjourn and meet tomorrow morning at 09.30.

The meeting rose at 17.30 hours
La séance est levée à 17 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.30 horas

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