CHAIRMAN (interpretation from Arabic): Ladies and Gentlemen, I call the meeting to order and we continue our discussion on item 7 concerning the report of the Director-General on the implementation of the Plan of Action on Food Security. You might recall that I requested you yesterday in a clear manner to address yourselves, in relation to the consideration of the report itself, to the Draft Resolution in document C 79/LIM/34. I would like to repeat this today and I hope that you will consider the relevant Draft Resolution, and if I don't hear any opposing point of view, in view of the consensus we reached yesterday, I shall consider that there is general agreement on the Draft Resolution and this might influence my decision regarding the composition of the Contact Group because we do not constitute contact groups without any reason-we constitute such contact groups only if there is need for such groups.
Before we resume our discussions today I would like to give the floor to Mr. Mends, our Rapporteur.
H. MENDS (Rapporteur from Plenary to Commission I) : Thank you very much. Again twenty three Heads od Delegations and five representatives of international organizations addressed the Plenary yesterday. As was the case on Friday, the major emphasis was on the follow-up of the WCARRD, of the Five Point Plan of Action for World Food Security, and the development of fisheries in the exclusive economic zones.
In yesterday's discussions many governments made specific reference to the study of Agriculture: towards 2000" All of them congratulated the FAO for undertaking such a meaningful study which covered most of the important problems in the food and agriculture sector. Developing countries were unanimous in their demand for increased financial and food aid from the developed countries. According to most of the speakers it is somewhat ironical that towards the end of the second development decade food production has rather decreased and the overall agricultural situation is showing very disturbing trends. Many countries which were self-sufficient with regard to domestic production of food have had a deficit in recent years. Therefore some of the developing countries hold that they should concentrate on making themselves self-sufficient in food production.
In the meantime, they emphasize the need for the speedy conclusion of the negotiations regarding the finalization of the Wheat Agreement.
Some countries, while appreciating the effort of FAO in promoting high yield in varieties of crops expressed their distress at the projected increase in fertilizer prices. It is quite evident that without the supply of fertilizers agricultural production cannot be increased they emphasized.
A few countries made specific reference to the importance of forestry development. Mexico expressed a desire to host the next World Forestry Congress. Mexico also wanted the Director-General of FAO to prepare a study on development of forestry in general. According to another country a particular reference to the decline in the prices of forest products has been evident in view of the fact that increased production is going on too. Turkey considered forestry products as a very useful alternative source of energy.
Now to the item for your discussion this morning, that is the Plan of Action to Strengthen World Food Security. All countries congratulated the Director-General for the Five Point Plan which he has proposed for world food security and some of the countries suggested that the International Monetary Fund should be requested to assist in financing the food import bill of developing countries.
Only one country expressed difficulty in participating in the world food security undertakings due to transportation costs and this was Papua New Guinea.
Other interesting statements and proposals have been made with particular reference to the subjects for your discussion and I shall be reporting on that in due course.
CHAIRMAN (interpretation from Arabic): I thank Mr. Mends for his comprehensive statement which will help us very much in our discussions. Ladies and Gentlemen, now we resume our discussions today and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Netherlands.
J. BERTELING (Netherlands): Mr. Chairman, I shall confine myself mainly to the subject of the Food Security Assistance Scheme since the other important subjects will be dealt with also on our behalf by the Représentat ive of the EEC Commission and for the sake of brevity I shall comment on the Draft Resolution contained in LIM/34 as you requested.
My delegation is disappointed-we are very disappointed since we heard many supporting words for the Food Security Assistance Scheme but hardly any action and no additional financial support. The Netherlands Delegation announced in Plenary an additional contribution of about $2. 5 million for 1979 which is about 25 percent of the target mentioned in paragraph 5(a) of the Draft Resolution. It is therefore quite logical that we can accept that particular paragraph, but with a normal kind of burden sharing an even higher annual target could be reached and the Netherlands Government feels itself somewhat lonely in supporting the Food Security Assistance Scheme and we think that also for FAO this unbalanced situation can be dangerous.
The Netherlands support paragraph 5(b) and will do its utmost to improve the coordination between its bilateral assistance to the food security programme of the developing countries and the FAO Secretariat.
It also plans to enlarge its support for food production activities substantially because we consider this as one of the most important contributions we can make. The Director-General made it very clear to us once more yesterday.
Concerning paragraph 3 (c) we consider the 17-18 million tons food aid by 1985 as an estimate and certainly not as a target at this moment. The Netherlands gives substantial food aid. The majority of our assistance in the food and agriculture sector will however go primarily to the small-scale food production sector.
The suggestion in paragraph 7 to request the Director-General to consider, in cooperation with the World Bank and other multilateral financial institutions, ways of assessing the needs and scope for improving food security infrastructures warrants our full support. We consider that also the World Food Council Secretariat should be involved in this important exercise.
Finally, I would like to say that my delegation has noted with some satisfaction that the Director-General, among the comments in his report on the follow-up of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development considers food security as one of the activities related to agrarian reform and rural development. May I add that it is necessary to use some clear definitions on food security-what it is and what is is not and what, for example, is the relationship with the food losses programme?
Mr. Chairman, my delegation would like to call all countries to assist the FSAS substantially and to coordinate with FAO on its food security activities.
A. FERNANDEZ Y GONZALEZ (España): Aunque mi delegación piensa, como nos recordó ayer el Director General, que la Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial es uno de los temas fundamentales de esta Conferencia, trataré de reducir al máximo mi intervención, siguiendo sus indicaciones Sr. Presidente.
Un elemento esencial para la seguridad alimentaria es la existencia de un sistema eficaz de reservas de cereales básicos; ahora que los niveles de reservas mundiales se hallan en descenso, se hace más evidente la oportunidad perdida, durante las dos anteriores campanas productivas para constituirlo a nivel internacional. Porque según nos informa la Secretaría de que todos los países en desarrollo que habían establecido objetivos de reservas nacionales en el marco del compromiso voluntario sobre la seguridad alimentaria, sólo una minoría ha podido alcanzar tales objetivos. De ahí, el interés y la oportunidad que presenta hoy el Plan de Acción de cinco puntos presentado por el Director General. Mis autoridades ven con el mayor interés y espíritu de colaboración este Plan, ya aprobado por el Consejo de la FAO y por el Consejo Mundial de Alimentación, como sustitutivo temporal de algunas cláusulas previstas en el proyectado Acuerdo Internacional sobre Cereales.
En relación con los dos primeros puntos del Plan, Espana viene aplicando desde hace tiempo políticas y objetivos en materia de reservas nacionales de cereales, especialmente para asegurar una adecuada soldadura entre camparlas de comercialización, de acuerdo con unas normas reguladoras que publica anualmente el Gobierno, y que especifican los niveles de precios de sustentación, de reservas de seguridad y su oportuna gestión y movilización, así como las modalidades de comercialización.
En el caso del trigo, al tener Espana una producción sensiblemente equilibrada con el consumo nacional, su política de reservas no incide desfavorablemente sobre las actividades de producción y comercialización de otros países; antes bien, contribuye a no producir desequilibrios en el mercado mundial. Por ello mismo, sin embargo, nuestra posibilidad de ayuda alimentaria se halla condicionada, en lo que se refiere a trigo por las disponibilidades efectivas de nuestra propia producción, salvo en casos de situaciones particulares de emergencia. Por ejemplo, en el caso de los recientes acontecimientos en Nicaragua, el Gobierno español ha enviado una ayuda extraordinaria en productos alimentarios, harina de trigo, arroz y azúcar, principalmente, por un contravalor superior a los 7 millones de dólares.
Sin embargo, y como contrapartida a la autosuficiencia en trigo, nuestra demanda de cereales secundarios como el maíz y sorgo depende fuertemente de la oferta exterior, por lo que debemos apoyar todas las iniciativas para conseguir una seguridad de acceso y una estabilidad de precios en los abastecimientos del mercado mundial. Porque pensamos que son un instrumento positivo para la seguridad alimentaria mundial, apoyamos el que la FAO promueva medidas concertadas tendentes a lograr acuerdos internacionales sobre productos, en el seno de los Grupos del CPPB y de la UNCTAD. También debe contribuir a ello el perfeccionamiento y ampliación de las actividades del Sistema Mundial de Información y Alerta sobre Agricultura y Alimentación.
Aunque no sea nuevo, conviene recordar en este punto que la ayuda alimentaria es un elemento importante, pero cuantitativamente limitado, para la seguridad alimentaria mundial, como parte del mecanismo de transferencia de recursos a determinados países en desarrollo. Puesto que se trata de un tipo de transferencias "adicionales", debería evitarse toda interferencia de las corrientes de ayuda alimentaria en especie, o de las transacciones en condiciones especiales de favor, con el funcionamiento normal y abierto de los sistemas de producción, intercambio y de consumo de alimentos. Por otra parte, conviene tener presente que la acción internacional debe ayudar a que los países en desarrollo consigan liberarse, como grupo, de una dependencia alimentaria tan creciente y acusada como la actual; porque en esta década el aumento de las necesidades de importación viene siendo de casi el 7 por ciento anual, frente al 2. 7 por ciento de incremento registrado en los anos 60. Para aumentar significativamente sus producciones alimentarias, los países en desarrollo han de disponer de la ayuda necesaria para aumentar su capacidad técnica y para poner en práctica una política de asignación de recursos que indique las prioridades para la inversión agraria, los incentivos a la producción, consideraciones nutricionales, etc.
Mi delegación considera que la inclusión de consideraciones nutricionales en los programas y proyectos de desarrollo agrario y rural, cada vez más frecuente, constituye un paso importante para mejorar las disponibilidades alimentarias en los países en desarrollo, y piensa, también, que las actividades del Subcomité de Nutrición del CAC, servirán para clarificar muchos conceptos y serán útiles para mejorar la eficacia de los proyectos ejecutados por los diversos organismos de las Ilaciones Unidas relacionados con el desarrollo.
Señor Presidente, el punto número 5 del Plan del Director General incluye el concepto de la autosuficiencia colectiva de los países en vías de desarrollo en cuanto a seguridad alimentaria, que mi delegación comparte plenamente. Es preciso fomentar la producción de alimentos del Grupo, sin confiar demasiado en las aparentes facilidades de acceso a los mercados mundiales, puesto que el volumen de intercambios representa una parte reducida de la demanda global de alimentos, y cualquier oscilación de la oferta disponible tiende a desestabilizar con rapidez el mercado. La experiencia nos indica también que la seguridad en los abastecimientos, las reservas estratégicas y los niveles de precios de los alimentos, deben constituir un elemento de tranquilidad en las economías familiares, pero sin que resulten dañadas comparativamente, por ello, las rentas de los productores.
En el narco de este objetivo de autosuficiencia colectiva alimentaria de los países en desarrollo, debe situarse a nuestro juicio el potenciar en lo posible las transacciones de tipo triangular en ayuda alimentaria, es decir, la compra de alimentos a ciertos países en desarrollo para su transferencia a otros países en desarrollo también, pues aunque hasta ahora su alcance parece haber sido limitado, en el caso del arroz, la experiencia ha sido positiva, y constituye un incentivo más para aumentar la producción selectivamente en ciertos países del Grupo. En este sentido, el Gobierno español viene poniendo a disposición del Programa Mundial de Alimentos una contribución por bienio de 400. 000 dólares en metálico, con el deseo de que puedan servir para aumentar las compras locales en efectivo de alimentos y favorecer las transacciones triangulares entre países en desarrollo.
Para concluir, señor Presidente, tengo instrucciones de reafirmar el espíritu abierto de cooperación de mi país, principalmente en el orden técnico, para asesorar en aspectos relacionados con la formulación y ejecución de programas y proyectos concretos, nacionales o regionales, en el marco del Plan de Asistencia de FAO para la seguridad alimentaria, brindando nuestra experiencia reciente en temas de ordenación y mejora de amplias zonas rurales.
Teniendo en cuenta lo que antecede, señor Presidente, mi delegación ve con simpatía el Proyecto de Resolución patrocinado por Colombia y otros seis países en desarrollo, que figura en el documento LIM/34, y confía en que no le será muy difícil al Grupo Consultivo que usted nos proponía ayer, en el caso de que sea preciso reunirlo, llegar a un texto de Resolución que pueda ser aprobado por la Plenaria.
D, VUJICIC (Yugoslavia): Thank you Mr. Chairman. First I would like to state that the importance of the item on our agenda on World Food Security is proved by the great number of participants in this discussion, as well as by the fact that the Director-General found it necessary to introduce personally this item on our agenda. We thank him very much for his statement which was very clear and to wh|. cn he gave also an assessment of the present world food situation, as well as on the activities that FAO i s undertaking in this period.
The world food situation, as you know Mr. Chariman, is at the moment, in fact, very difficult and it is as a result of a global decrease of production of food, mainly grains, which also provoked the falling of the level of stocks.
It seems that food stocks have come below the so-called minimum level of 17 percent to 18 percent which was estimated earlier by FAO.
Also as a result of this, and of some other difficulties in world trade, prices have risen by 30-40 percent in the last few months. Having this in mind I think that we could estimate the present situation as very serious and very similar to that one on the eve of the World Food Conference in the early 1970s.
I mentioned the increase of prices by about 30-40 percent which was mainly wheat which would cause great difficulty for importing countries and, especially, for the developing countries which import about 60 percent of the world exports.
Also this increase in prices would cause developing countries an additional expense of foreign currency of about close to 3 billion dollars, which will have a very big detrimental effect on their development.
The item on the World Food Security has been the subject of discussion in nearly all important, competent, international bodies since 1973, namely at all three FAO Conferences, at the World Food Conference, at the IGA and the World Food Council, and also has been the subject of very long and thoreugi negotiations at the Geneva United Nations Conference on the new International Grains Arrangement which, unfortunately, after more than two-and with preparation more than three-years has failed to produce a positive result. As one of the participants at those negotiations in Geneva I would state thct the developing countries have invested great efforts and shown great flexibility to enable a successful outcome of these negotiations. But the conditions and position of other participants did not enable these negotiations to he concluded successfully.
Yesterday the statement of the Executive Secretary of the International Wheat Council, Mr. Parotte, unfortunatley does not encourage our hopes that the New Grains Arrangement would be concluded in the foreseeable future. This is really an unfortunate situation in which the world is found, and this is one reason to welcome all the more the initiative of the Director-General of FAO, immediately after the failure and breakdown of the Gemeva talks, to propose the programme proposed in the so-called Five-Point Plan. This was really a timely, right and responsible reaction of the Director-General of FAO in the situation which arose after the breakdown of the talks. This initiative then, since early March, has passed through a very thorough process of consideration. First, it was endorsed in principle by the Committee of the General Assembly, and then later discussed in the Committee for World Food Security and approved by the FAO Council. So that now, at this Conference, we have already received the first report of the Di recetor-Gene ral on the initial activity in this field, and for the Conference now it remains only to endorse the decision of the Council on the Five-Point Plan and to request all member countries to implement it. We would also request the DL rector-Gene ral to monitor the world food situation and react in a timely fashion, as envisaged in the plan, to the présent situation and to the situation which might be likely to occur later, which might even have deteriorated. We would like to stress that we are very much aware of the fact that the five-point Plan does not contain any economi o provisions concerning the level and manner of accumulation and release of stocke, level of trigger prices or special provisions for developing countries, which are supposed to be elements of a new international grain arrangement.
We would therefore like to stress that we should not forget, but should insist upon, the fact that all participants make their greatest efforts to come back to the negotiating table and try to conclude the new grain arrangements containing all important elements as soon as possible, because only on such an agreement, such an international instrument, should world food security be based.
As already stated by the delegate of Colombia at the beginning of this discussion, the Yugoslav delegation is one of the sponsors of a draft resolution on food security in Document C 79/Lim/34. I should like to stress that this draft resolution might be further improved and strengthened and the sponsors would welcome any proposal in that direction.
In conclusion, I should like to welcome the acceptance of the five-point Plan by the delegation of Canada and the lifting of the reservations on the Plan which that delegation expressed at the June Council Meeting. At the same time, I should like to express the hope that the Canadian Delegation will go along with the great majority of countries which have fully approved the five-point plan.
This concerns the very minor problems that the Canadian Delegation stated yesterday concerning the five-point Plan. I believe that Canada, as one of the most important countries in the production and world trade in grains and therefore one of the pillars of world food security, should go along with the other countries in this matter and accept the five-point plan without any reservations.
Concerning your proposal, Mr. Chairman, that we should state our positions on the necessity for nominating an advisory body or contact group-or whatever it might be called-to consider the draft resolution which is under discussion, we are inclined to agree with you; but at the same time I should like to express my delegation's assessment that among the previous twenty or more speakers there has been almost unanimity of position on all important subjects in the five-point Plan and in the proposed draft resolution, so it may not be necessary, if the discussion continues in this direction, to have such a body; but if you do find it useful and necessary we will agree uith your judgement.
L. SMITH (Barbados): In the Plenary Meeting on Friday morning the Head of my delgation noted that the developing countries were being asked to pay higher prices for grain- something in the order of 30 to 40 percent for wheat and other grains-and that the importation of grains into developing countries was increasing at a phenomenal rate. He further noted that the yields and harvests in some of the developed countries over the past three years and the stocks held by a few of those countries was higher than it had been three or four years ago. He further noted that many underdeveloped countries had already depleted their foreign reserves because of the higher prices and were now faced with the additional burden of high grain prices along with the inaccessibility to markets in the industrialized countries and low outputs in the local production of exportable commodities. This implied, therefore, as our delegation would say, that many countries in the underdeveloped world would face serious bai ance-of-payments problems over the next two years, resulting from this increase in food prices.
I am sure that what will eventually happen is that, willy-nilly, most of these countries will fall into the clutches of the IMP. I do not 'mow how the word "clutches" translates into the other languages, but I use it because this is our biggest misgiving about the five-point proposal made by the Director-General.
If I may quote from paragraph 25 on page 4 of Document C 79/23: ". . . . . the Director-General has requested the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund to invite the IFK Board to consider within the context of its Financing Facilities, the feasibility of providing additional balance of payments support for meeting the rise in food import bills of low income -Food deficit countries……"
It is precisely on this point that we find some difficulties. There are two possible outcomes implicit in that request. In the first case there could be a negative response, which would mean or imply that several undedeveloped countries would be left without any protective net for their food security problems and would then be in the double jeopardy of having serious balanoe-of-payments problems as well as insecurity in the area of food. In the second case the response could be a positive one, and here we have a few misgivings again. First, we foresee some difficulty in trying to negotiate acceptable terms with the IMF for further balanoe-of-payments support for several of those countries. Secondly, we are unsure as to what commitments several of those countries would have to make to be assured of the balanoe-of-payments support from the IMF. We foresee unfortunate situations arising where on the one hand one developing country facing balance-of-payments problems because of the increase in food costs would be subjected to the indignity of the stringent financial and fiscal regualtions that the IMF might impose as part of the conditions for balance-of-payments support and, on the other hand, another underdeveloped country which had been receiving and was continuing to receive massive food aid, which might require a greater degree of fiscal reconstruction within the economy, would not be subjected to the same kind of stringent controls that might be imposed as a consequence of food security.
We would be grateful, therefore, if a few more delegations could examine this particular aspeot of the whole proposal. We have no difficulty with the remaining four points of the proposal but over this one we would have some misgivings, and I think the other delegations could pay some attention to it, because, as we have pointed out, on the one hand there might be absolute security or no security at all and, on the other hand, if there was any type of security the conditions under which it was imposed might be unacceptable for most of the countries for which it was provided.
C. O. KELLER SARMIENTO (Argentina): La delegación argentina tiene plena conciencia de la importancia de esta cuestión y la necesidad de que aquellos países con problemas críticos de producción y disponibilidad de alimentos puedan aspirar a una mayor seguridad alimentaria y en ese modo poder enfrentar el fantasma del hambre y la desnutrición con la mayor posibilidad de éxito y con los instrumentos adecuados para ello.
Se trata de una cuestión de importancia vital que es comprendida y aceptada por toda la colectividad internacional y es en ese sentido de solidaridad humana que la República Argentina considera el plan de acción presentado a nuestra consideración.
Ya en el pasado nuestro país, pese a sus dificultades y exigencias de orden nacional vinculadas a su desarrollo economico ineludibles para nuestra propia comunidad, ha mostrado su generosidad poniendo a disposición del Convenio de Ayuda Alimentaria más de 200 000 toneladas en concepto de ayuda a países necesitados.
La delegación argentina intervino activamente en las deliberaciones del Comitg de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial celebrado en Roma en abril último, así como en oportunidad del 75" Consejo cuando considero el plan de acción sobre la seguridad alimentaria mundial; lo hizo en su carácter de ser uno de los pocos, tal vez el único país en desarrollo productor eficiente de alimentos y gran exportador de cereales, y con la plena conciencia de deber compatibilizar debidamente la necesidad de una mayor seguridad alimentaria mundial hasta que la conclusion de un nuevo acuerdo global garantice, mediante un instrumento jurídicamente vinculante, cláusulas válidas que aseguren la. continuidad del incremento de la producción, precios estables equitativos para consumidores y retributivos para los productores, mecanismos claros para la constitución de reservas, así como procedimientos para su liberación y condiciones de comercialización que aseguren el aprovisionamiento continuo y creciente del mercado.
Como es del conocimiento de esta Conferencia, desde hace años se está tratando de institucionalizar este complejo y tan importante tema de los cereales, así como el de la seguridad alimentaria a través de un mecanismo que permita asegurar válidamente un incremento permanente y sostenido de la producción que neutralice la cada vez mayor necesidad de los pueblos a satisfacer sus necesidades mínimas y a disponer de la debida seguridad alimentaria.
Solo un incremento de producción dará seguridad alimentaria; y para asegurar el incremento de producción es necesario crear los estímulos necesarios para que el productor se sienta motivado y estimulado. Otras alternativas serán paliativos momentáneos destinados a enfrentar situaciones parciales, pero sin ir al fondo de la cuestión. Sin mayor producción no hay seguridad alimentaria.
En el curso de las diversas instancias que en el seno de la FAO consideraron el plan de acción, la delegación argentina expresó que cualquier iniciativa que contribuyera, aunque sea de modo parcial y temporal, a asegurar la seguridad alimentaria mundial tendrá la especial consideración por parte de nuestro gobierno. Fue así que compartimos plenamente el espíritu que animó al Director General de la FAO a procurar enfrentar con nuevas ideas y mayores recursos los momentos de crisis que puedan presentarse en los momentos de carencia o estrechez alimentarias; pero consideramos también, tal como lo señala debidamente el informe contenido en el documento CL 75/10 del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria en su párrafo 23 donde se expresa la opinión de varias delegaciones, de que a la vez que apoyaban el propósito básico del plan y con ello ponían de relieve la actividad positiva y constructiva de sus gobiernos en favor de la seguridad alimentaria mundial indicaban que tenían algunas dificultades en aceptar determinados aspectos del plan en su formulación presente. En particular opinaban que el establecimiento de políticas nacionales de reservas y objetivos cuantitativos de reservas debían efectuarse en el contexto de un acuerdo internacional sobre cereales que sea jurídicamente obligatorio, con derechos y obligaciones claramente definidos y con un mecanismo convenido de precios para la acumulación y liberación de existencias.
La República Argentina cuenta con su producción de alimentos como único medio para sufragar su existencia como nación, encarar su desarrollo, pagar sus deudas y asegurar el progreso y bienestar de sus habitantes; por lo tanto, considera de un interés esencial que se concluya un instrumento global con cláusulas justas que abarquen todas las variables de la cuestión dentro de su ámbito natural y donde ha sido discutido hasta ahora.
Entendemos que las reservas tal como están propuestas en el punto 2 del plan sirven esencialmente para estabilizar los precios, de manera tal que ellos permitan el incremento de la producción agrícola y de esa manera asegurar el debido flujo permanente de los alimentos a las poblaciones necesitadas de la tierra.
Entendemos que el plan propuesto es lo suficientemente amplio y flexible como para asegurar que se preserve la soberanía de cada país en las modalidades de su implernentacion, y en especial en la forma de implementar sus reservas a nivel nacional.
Creemos también, y en esto coincidimos con otras delegaciones y con lo que ha sido reiteradamente manifestado en otras instancias, de que será necesario prever alguna cláusula de este instrumento en el caso de concertar un nuevo acuerdo internacional sobre cereales, que todos deseamos.
Tras tantos años de negociaciones para asegurar la seguridad alimentaria mundial y el abastecimiento continuo de toda la población de la tierra, con las observaciones que he mencionado anteriormente nuestra delegación ha participado del consenso que acogió esta iniciativa en instancias anteriores, pero desea se tenga en cuenta estos comentarios en el entendimiento de que se trata de un aporte constructivo y realista a la cuestión.
Señor Presidente, en cuanto al proyecto de la resolución mi delegación no tendría problema con ello, siempre que en el punto 4 de la parte dispositiva se agregue la palabra "desarrollados'1; hay una gran diferencia entre los países exportadores con grandes recursos e infraestructura industrial y económica y los países en desarrollo.
Finalmente, señor Presidente, creo entender que usted había sugerido la posibilidad de constituir un grupo de contacto para considerar la resolución. Si bien creo firmemente en el gran esfuerzo que significa un grupo de contacto, con amplias experiencias en esta misma Conferencia donde usted nos ha llevado, tras muchas horas de trabajo, a un éxito, en el tema de profesionismo, creo que si usted interpreta que hay suficiente consenso en torno a la resolución y es capaz de registrar las enmiendas que puedan proponerse en el curso del debate, pienso que el Comité de Redacción podría tratar directamente con el tema sin necesidad de establecer un grupo de contacto.
CHAIRMAN (interpretation from Arabic): I would like to say that the delegations of Portugal and the United Arab Emirates have presented written statements instead of giving them from the floor. They will be inserted into the record.
P. MASUD (Pakistan): Before we venture to make any comments on this report we would like to say a few words on the context in which we suggest the Conference should consider this document. World food security is proving to be an elusive mirage. The international community has been dealing with this problem for some time now but with no concrete results.
The United Nations Negotiating Conference on a New International Grains Arrangement to replace the International Wheat Agreement 1971, as extended, stands adjourned indefinitely. Very bluntly and very briefly there is nothing standing between the world today and the catastrophe which nearly overtook it in the early 70's. The outlook is turning bleak. World production has declined and there will not be enough to feed the world's teeming millions unless we draw upon reserves. Prices are rising. It is in this context that we should view the Director-General's Five Point Plan of Action. The Plan of Action commends itself on various scores.
Firstly, it is important to point out that this Plan is in fact a return to the concept and pledges of the International Undertaking on World Food Security. Most of what is suggested is to make it action oriented. Nearly all of us gathered here today have adopted the International Undertaking on World Food Security and if any government has adopted the Undertaking then it should have no difficulty in accepting the Plan of Action. The Committee of the Whole of the United Nations established under General Assembly Resolution 32/174 has already welcomed the initiatives of the Director-General of FAO in proposing this Plan and requested appropriate bodies to give it careful consideration. The 75th Session of the Council adopted the Plan of Action on World Food Security as formulated by the Fourth Session of the Committee on World Food Security. Since the existing International Wheat Agreement has been extended for two years, a gap is going to exist for a lengthy period, during which there will be no Arrangement with reserve stock provisions. In order to fill this void, at a time when the food situation remains uncertain and when many developing countries face a rising incidence of food insecurity, the Director-General's Plan of Action on Food Security needs to be implemented here and now by this Conference.
Another point, Sir, which we would particularly like to mention in order to allay any fears, is the link with the New International Wheat Agreement. This is well recognized by the Plan, which, in its operative paragraph 3, urges an early resumption and conclusion of the Wheat Negotiations. We too attach particular importance to the early resumption and conclusion of a New International Wheat Agreement, and urge all concerned to resume talks as soon as possible.
As regards the Director-General's proposals for implementation we fully support what is stated in paragraph 38 of document C 79/23. There is no alternative but to act now and on two fronts long-term measures to accelerate food production growth particularly in the developing countries and immediate steps to establish a world food security system. Regarding national stocks targets, we in Pakistan have already adopted a foodgrain stock policy and have decided to maintain 500, 000 tons of wheat as a working reserve at all times in the country. Although in the past we were not able to achieve the target of 500, 000 tons due to shortfall in wheat production, this year, in view of the fact that we have had a good wheat crop, we are confident that we will achieve this target. On the subject of adequacy of food stocks, (paragraph 44 of document C 79/23) the proposed exercise would be very helpful. There are a number of estimates which are being currently mentioned and an authoritative study would enable us to concentrate on one firm figure.
We fully agree with the views expressed in this document (C 79/23) regarding food aid. It is unfortunate but true that food aid always dwindles when it is most needed. Experience of the past confirms this impression and we would, therefore, advocate that food aid levels should be maintained and even increased if the need arises. Permit me to take this opportunity of congratulating the governments of the USA, Canada and Nordic Countries on de-linking the Food Aid Convention from the Wheat Trade Convention. We hope that Australia and the EEC, which have always been generous donors, will follow in their footsteps shortly. We would also be happy to see the increasing use of food aid in strengthening food security in developing countries. The Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes considered this matter at length and has generally supported the idea. We would, therefore, urge its implementation as soon as possible.
On the subject of sale of commodities, we have always supported this concept on a limited scale and in specific cases feel that funds thus generated could prove useful in creating an infrastructure for food security in developing countries. We believe in collective self-reliance and have already taken some steps in this direction. As such, we would endorse the Director-General's proposal that Member Countries in sub-regions vulnerable to food shortages should take all possible initiatives to organize mutual assistance in time of crop shortfalls.
Lastly, a word about the coordinated approach which is mentioned in paragraph 53-54 (document C 79/23). This is extremely important if the Five Point Plan of Action is to become meaningful and effective. All actions on this front should contribute towards the agreed objectives of world food security.
Turning to the Draft Resolution which is under consideration, my delegation would like to propose an amendment to paragraph 5 (b). At present this reads "to enlarge substantially bilateral assistance. . . ". We would be grateful if this could be amended to read "to enlarge substantially bilateral and multilateral assistance to the food security programmes. . . . ".
A word about our reaction to the proposals made by the Delegate of Canada. We are extremely encouraged to hear that the Delegate of Canada has now no reservations, but still continues to be worried on one or two points.
We fully agree with the Delegate of India when he said that on the balance of payments all that is being asked is that the matter should be considered, that such support be financially exceptional for food imports of developing countries. This to our mind, in spite of what has just been pointed out by the delegate of Barbados, is an initial step and we should see how it develops instead of striking it out straight away. This is one point we would like to make.
Another point raised by the Canadian delegation was the sharing of the burden of long-term storage costs. It was suggested that it should be done more equitably. If we are to understand that by sharing this burden more equitably it should be partly borne by the developing countries, then all I have to say is as the man did who appeared before a rather ferocious king. The king condemned him to die. He was asked, "Now you are about to die you can make one last dying wish". And his reply was, "Let me die a natural death. " So if this question has been posed in this spirit we would request that we should also be allowed to die a natural death rather than contribute to this sharing of costs, because countries with balance of payments problems, who have to import food and other inputs, simply cannot help rich countries like Canada to share this burden. We appreciate that it is a burden but we would be grateful if Canada, as it has always done in the past, would continue to do so in the future also.
L. MARINUCCI (Communauté Economique Européenne): Au nom de la Communauté économique européenne je voudrais faire des commentaires au sujet du problème qui nous occupe concernant la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Je voudrais souligner encore une fois ici que la CEE est très sensible au problème de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale et est prête à adhérer à toutes les initiatives qui ont été prises dans les enceintes internationales, afin d'apporter une solution dans la mesure du possible à la sécurité des approvisionnements, à la stabilité des prix et à la satisfaction d'un certain nombre de besoins par l'intermédiaire de l'aide alimentaire. Avec les références aux questions posées par le document C 79/23, concernant le rapport du Directeur général sur l'application du plan d'action sur la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, je voudrais réaffirmer le soutien de la CEE aux objectifs poursuivis par ces plans d'action. Pour ce qui concerne les points spécifiques qui sont traités dans ces plans, je crois devoir en préciser quelques aspects.
Pour ce qui concerne la politique de stockage, ainsi que la détermination d'objectifs en matière de stocks, je voudrais rappeler que (nous avons déjà eu l'occasion d'affirmer cela) la CEE dans sa politique agricole commune, pour le secteur des céréales notamment, dispose d'instruments nécessaires pour mener une politique de stockage qui soit compatible avec les besoins d'approvisionnement du marché intérieur, avec les exigences d'exportations ainsi que des besoins relatifs au programme d'aide alimentaire et de secours d'urgence.
Pour ce qui concerne le montant des stocks, je voudrais encore une fois attirer l'attention du Comité sur le fait que la Communauté, ces dernières années, a pratiquement doublé le montant des stocks. Le fait d'avoir des stocks plus importants se motive aussi pour des raisons de marché intérieur, d'exigences d'exportations, de situation générale sur le marché mondial; il se justifie et se motive notamment par la considération qui a été faite des nécessités et des besoins de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.
La CEE par ailleurs tient à souligner le fait que cette politique de stockage, et cela est clair pour tout le monde, est menée sur une base autonome et volontaire tout en répondant aux exigences des objectifs du Plan. La CEE a déjà eu l'occasion d'affirmer dans d'autres enceintes et notamment dans les organes de la FAO qu'en principe une formulation plus précise, plus concrète de sa politique et des engagements en matière des stockages ne dépend que de la conclusion de la négociation en matière d'accord sur les céréales.
Eh d'autres termes, nous croyons que les différents pays, la CEE incluse, sont prêts à expliquer et sont en train de le faire, une action en matière de sécurité alimentaire mondiale, mais basée uniquement sur un fondement volontaire et autonome, c'est-à-dire qu'il existe ce sens de responsabilité qui entraîne la coopération internationale, mais on ne peut pas formuler dans ce cadre des engagements tels qu'ils pourraient résulter d'une négociation contractuelle.
Pour ce qui concerne l'aide alimentaire, là aussi la CEE a toujours respecté ses engagements en matière alimentaire et pour 1979 elle a augmenté les crédits budgétaires pour les approvisionnements en céréales et produits laitiers, de façon à maintenir le volume de l'aide alimentaire qu'elle se propose d'accorder.
A cet égard, à maintes reprisés, il a été demandé aux différents pays de constituer des réserves pour assurer les engagements en matière d'aide alimentaire. Nous avons toujours dit et réaffirmons que dans notre cas nous ne voyons pas la nécessité d'avoir recours à cette forme d'action pour assurer nos engagements d'aide alimentaire. Par ailleurs, dans les documents de la FAO du Directeur général, il est dit que les pays devraient assurer leurs engagements en matière d'aide alimentaire par la constitution de réserves "ou par d'autres mesures".
La CEE se classe, dans la pratique, dans le deuxième aspect, à savoir, que c'est par d'autres mesures que nous assurons effectivement l'aide alimentaire.
Pour ce qui concerne l'action que la CEE mène directement au travers du renforcement de l'aide alimentaire, je voudrais rappeler que dans les différents projets de développement rural, la CEE met en oeuvre, dans le cadre de la coopération avec les pays ACP, à savoir les pays d'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique associés à la Communauté, des actions tendant à l'augmentation de la production vivrière qui inclut aussi des actions d'amélioration de l'infraestructure de stockage et de commercialisation. Par conséquent, l'action que la CEE développe par l'intermédiaire de cee projets vise aussi directement à renforcer la sécurité alimentaire mondiale dans les pays en voie de développement bénéficiaires de ces projets.
Je dois enoore faire allusion, dans le cadre du renforcement de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, au fait que les actions concrètes sont prévues également dans le cadre de la nouvelle convention ACP/CEE.
En ce qui concerne les pays non associés â la CEE, c'est-à-dire les pays qui ne bénéficient pas d'un traitement particulier et préférentiel, je voudrais attirer l'attention sur le fait que la CEE accorde une aide d'environ 5 millions de dollars par an et dont presque un quart est destiné au financement desinfrastructures de stockage. Ainsi, la CEE mène aussi son action en dehors du groupe des pays qui lui sont directement associés.
Toujours concernant le renforcement de la sécurité' alimentaire mondiale, la CEE est prête, sous certaines conditions, à affecter une partie de son aide alimentaire sous forme de céréales â la constitution de stocks nationaux de réserves, accordant ainsi une contribution aux pays intéressés.
Il ne faut pas oublier non plus qu'au sujet de la Réserve d'urgence, la CEE contribue à de telles réserves et prévoit chaque année, dans ses programmes d'aide alimentaire, des quantités qui peuvent être utilisées pour les affecter â une telle Réserve.
Finalement, la CEE a accepté également les principes établis par le Comité de politique et de programme d'aide alimentaire concernant la programmation de l'aide, toute une série de principes dans le cadre de l'aide alimentaire.
L'ensemble de ces actions démontre que la CEE prend très au sérieux le problème de la sécurité et y apporte une contribution concrète dans toute la mesure du possible.
Je voudrais dire en ce qui concerneles actions futures que la CEE est toujours prête â coopérer dans les différentes enceintes internationales au renforcement de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale et â apporter concrètement sa contribution sous des formes multiples.
Tels sont les quelques point queje voulais soumettre â votre attention. A l'égard du projet de résolution qui a été présenté et relatif à la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, je ne voudrais pas entrer dans le détail de la rédaction de ce texte, mais tout en appréciant l'ensemble de cette résolution de façon relativement favorable, nous aurions quelques remarques â faire sur des passages qui ne nous conviennent pas tout à fait. Je voulais seulement vous l'annoncer, sauf à revenir plus concrètement et en détail lorsque l'on discutera du texte.
L. COMANESCU (Romania): First of all, I would like to reiterate what the Head of my Delegation has already said in the Plenary: That Romania is deeply concerned with the fact that progress in implementing the recommendations of the World Food Conference and of the United Nations General Assembly and other UN fora, are very small, indeed no significant progress has been realized at all.
We know that these recommendations concerned also world food security, or as was pointed out in document C 79/23 and as mentioned here yesterday by His Excellency the Director-General of our Organization and many other delegates, the situation on world food security is not better now than before.
It goes without saying that if we want to change this situation we have to undertake urgent actions.
Mr. Chairman, as far as she is concerned and we stressed that on other occasions too, Romania is of the view that the basic condition to ensure long-term world food security is the substantial increase of food production, particularly in developing countries. We believe therefore that the main effort should be directed to the implementation of this objective. I am glad to see that almost all delegations have underlined this aspect too.
At the same time we are aware of the urgent need for other complementary actions such as the establishment of national stocks, international grain arrangements, aimed at providing a secure flow in the international grain trade, including reasonable prices of food and through these, world food security.
We are pleased to see that FAO and its Director-General is acting in this direction. We have in mind, first of all, the setting up of the so-called Five Point Plan of Action to which Romania is giving its full support.
Having said this I would like to comment shortly on the Draft Resolution submitted to us under document LIM/34.
Of course Romania is prepared to go along with and support this Resolution. Nevertheless, since we are to adopt a resolution on world food security it seems to us that we should not avoid making reference in this Resolution to the importance of increasing food production as a basic requirement for world food security so, Mr. Chairman since the Distinguished Delegates of Colombia and Yugoslavia, two of the sponsors of this Resolution told us yesterday and today, the draft submitted to us should not be considered as absolutely definite. I would suggest in line with what I have said, the insertion in preambulatory part of the Resolution of a new or even two new paragraphs and with your permission I will read them now.
After the third paragraph of the preambulatory part of this Draft Resolution I would suggest the introduction of the following:"Convinced that the basic condition for assuring long-term world food security is the substantial increase of food production, particularly in the developing countries; Aware at the same time of the need to take urgently other (complementary) measures aimed at providing world food security. "
So that would become the fourth paragraph. I would like to introduce the idea that we cannot in the longer term provide food security without increasing production in developing countries.
As regards the operative part of the Resolution I think that the point raised here by the Distinguished Delegate of Pakistan on paragraph 5 (b) is valid and I therefore support this amendment.
CHAIRMAN: Before proceeding with my list of speakers I would like to call on the Distinguished Observer for the EEC who is going to comment upon the Draft Resolution before us.
L. MARINUCCI (Communauté économique européenne): Ayant été invité à formuler directement les remarques que je désirais faire au sujet du projet de résolution, je voudrais préciser ce qui suit au nom de la CEE.
Pour ce qui concerne le paragraphe 3 qui se réfère à la reprise éventuelle des négociations en matière de céréales, je vous soumets immédiatement un projet d'amendement.
Dans le texte, il est dit que les pays participant à la Conférence de négociations des Nations Unies relative à un nouvel accord international sur les céréales auraient à résoudre les questions en suspens etc. Nous nous posons la question:il n'est pas possible qu'avant la reprise des négociations on puisse régler toutes ces questions, sans cela la négociation ne serait plus nécessaire. A mon avis, les questions ne pourront être résolues que par la négociation.
Par conséquent, nous suggérons, au lieu de la phrase en question, le texte suivant:"les pays participant à la Conférence de négociations des Nations Unies relative à un nouvel accord international sur les céréales" et ici nous ajoutons ceci: "auront à réexaminer les questions en suspens en vue de faciliter la reprise des négociations et la conclusion aussi rapide que possible d'un nouvel accord sur les céréales. " Voilà le premier point concret sur lequel je me permets de proposer un amendement.
En ce qui concerne le paragraphe 4, nous avons des objections de fond. Il nous semble assez problématique, sinon impossible, de pouvoir surveiller ce que l'on demande dans ce paragraphe, les destinations des exportations, garantir les approvisionnements à des conditions de faveur, à des conditions particulières. Vous comprenez que tout cela implique une révision des moyens politiques dont on dispose. Nous sommes donc d'avis, en ce qui concerne ce paragraphe, de l'éliminer complètement et de trouver une formulation de portée beaucoup plus générale, beaucoup plus vague, qui permette cette insertion mais préciser exactement ce qui doit être fait dans la pratique.
Pour ce qui est du paragraphe 6, concernant l'établissement éventuel d'une convention d'aide alimentaire indépendamment de la conclusion d'un accord sur les céréales, nous aimerions que soit adopté un texte reprenant le paragraphe relatif à ces points, paragraphe déjà adopté par le Conseil mondial de l'alimentation d'Ottawa. En effet, on ne peut pas demander au Comité de l'aide alimentaire de conclure immédiatement la convention parce que des difficultés subsistent. Le Comité n'est pas une entité concrète mais quelque chose d'abstrait et on ne voit pas comment, dans ces conditions, on pourrait arriver à une solution. Il serait plus raisonnable à notre avis que les pays, comme il a été dit à Ottawa, puissent examiner à nouveau les propositions faites afin de parvenir rapidement à une nouvelle aide alimentaire indépendamment etc. avec un objectif accru. Et là il faudrait insérer également la notion de nouveaux pays donateurs telle qu'elle a été soulevée hier par le représentant du Conseil mondial du Blé. Il faudrait répéter l'invitation à de nouveaux donateurs pour qu'ils se joignent à la Convention afin de pouvoir atteindre l'objectif de 10 millions de tonnes.
Ce sont là les remarques de fond essentielles que nous avons cherché à limiter au maximun pour éviter d'entrer dans la discussion de l'ensemble de ce projet de résolution.
ZAINOL ABIDIN BIN JOHARI (Malaysia): Thank yon Μτ· Chairman, It is my pleasure to repeat here that Malaysia unequivocally supports the Plan of Action proposed by the Director-General of FAO in order to strengthen world food security. The leader of the Malaysian Delegation, Dr. Dato’ Sharif f Bin Ahmad has already indicated Malaysia's support for the Pive Point Plan in his speech to Plenary on November 14·
Malaysia is a small country with a small population. Before we achieved our independence in 1957 we used to import at least 60 to 70 percent of our food requirements. Due to the foresight of our national leaders and with the active participation of the people, in particular the rice farmers, we have succeeded in reducing our food imports to only 15 percent by 1978· This was achieved through massive investment in the development of large irrigation schemes for the double cropping of our principal rice-growing areas· The Mada River Irrigation Scheme is one such scheme which has become so important that it now accounts for about 40 percent of the annual total domestic rice production. The success of the Muda project is directly instrumental to Malaysia becoming almost self-sufficient in her rice requirement. Funded by a World Bank loan the project hae become a success model which the Bank hopes to repeat in other developing countries.
Although our food imports are small by comparison with other developing countries, Malaysia is conscious of the fact that dependence on imports to meet the domestic requirement for food would place her in a vulnerable position in times of shortages in supply.
Secondly, Malaysia has established a national rice stock pile in the country sufficient to meet the demand for food for a considerable period of time. The maintenance of thie stock pile is the price which we are willing to bear for the peaoe of mind it provides to us, in terms of food availability, during periods of crisis such as that in 1973-74 when there was a world food shortage and in 1977 when the Muda project was so severely affected by drought that a second crop of rioe could not be planted for lack of water.
Mr. Chairman, although we have been maintaining and operating food reserve stocks for a very long time, we still require technical advioe on this subject. Essentially FAO implemented a project in Malaysia jointly with National Paddy and Rice Authority which aims at improving the design of modern warehouses for stockpile. Other objectives of the project are the control of the price of rioe in storage and to find ways and means to slow down the rate of deterioration of rioe during long periods of storage. In this context Malaysia would like to place on record her gratitude to FAO for providing the expertise for the project.
On the regional basis Malaysia has joined her other ASEAN partners in establishing an ASEAN rice stockpile of 50, 000 tons to meet food shortages of member nations, because of other natural catastrophes or man-made disasters.
Furthermore national rioe stockpiles existing in eaoh country of ASEAN will constitute an ASEAN rice stockpile. This action on the part of Malaysia and its ASEAN partners is the regional contribution to the Five-Point Plan of Action to strengthen world food security.
Mr. Chairman, Malaysia's reasons for supporting the plan of action of the Director-General of FAO are as follows: we believe that there mist be positive action to avoid the recurrence of the world food crisis of 1973/74 by the creation of national regional food stocks now. Webelieve the developing countries should become self-reliant in food requirement. One further point to note regarding this topic is the urgent necessity, with reference to food losses especially in developing countries, these losses are estimated to be so large on the global basis that if success is retained in reducing the losses this is tantamount to immediate and very substantial increase in the world food supply.
Mr. Chairman, Malaysia would like to see more emphasis given to this vitally important aspect of world food security in the next biennium. We hope that FAO will come foreward with definite project proposals designed to reduce, if not eliminate, food losses.
POINT OF ORDER
POINT D'ORDRE
PUNTO DE ORDEN
J. R. COOPER, Jr. (Liberia): This delegation seeks clarification on the draft resolution. We have had a number of interventions on the draft resolutions in which changes have been made in the context of the draft resolution. To our understanding there has been no disagreement of the entire toxt of the draft resolution. Now, relative to the changes made on certain sections of the resolution we would like to know whether there will be a special forum to discuss the changes as proposed, because we are now of the impression that the changes as proposed by some delegations need the full concurrence of the Commission.
A. G. LEEKS (Director, Commodities and Trade Division): Well, Mr. Chairman, I think that the Chairman of the Commission this morning referred to this, and this plan, if I understood it correctly, is to invite all delegates to state the changes theywould like to make in the resolution. And then, having heard all of this, he will decide at the end of the day whether it is necessary to convene a contact group. The decision on that will depend, as the delegate for Liberia has correctly pointed out, on whether the changes suggested are agreeable to all delegations. Now some of the proposals have been of a minor character, which it appears to the Secretariat would probably have been acceptable to all. Other changes might be of a major character, in which oase I think it is up to the delegations here to indicate as the debate goes on that they do not agree with some of the changes being proposed. In which case the Chairman will take this into account in deciding whether or not to call a contact group.
G. HJLA HOYOS (Colombia): La Delegación de Colombia considera que ha sido muy pertinente la observación planteada por el colega de Liberia.
Sn nuestra condición de uno de los firmantes del proyecto de resolución queremos ofrecer nuestro apoyo a lo que ha dicho el señor Leeks. Pensamos que el colega de Argentina planteó muy bien la situación esta manana.
Sería conveniente tomar nota de las enmiendas que se han propuesto al proyecto de resolución, pasarlas todas al Comité de Redacción, repito "Comité de Redacción", donde están representadas las diversas tendencias de los miembros de esta Comisión, y luego veremos el resultado cuando discutamos el proyecto de informe aquí en el seno de la Comisión. Consideramos que no sería conveniente crear un grupo de contacto que agrave ya la carga de trabajo que tiene nuestro Presidente y que, tal vez, haría innecesaria una discusión de este proyecto de resolución fuera del Comité de Redacción puesto que las enmiendas que se han presentado hasta ahora contribuyen a fortalecerlo, con excepción de lo que planteó el observador de la Comunidad Económica Europea; pero, repetimos, todo esto lo consideraremos en el Comité de Redacción y luego en la Plenaria de esta Comisión.
CHAIRMAN: I give the floor to the next speaker on my list, the delegate of Nigeria.
J. O. ALAKE (Nigeria): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief. We thank the Secretariat for the papers on this subject and the Director-General for his introduction.
We are unhappy that the opportunity the world had during the last few years, when we had good harvests, has not been utilized to strengthen food security. We are also unhappy that it has not been possible to conclude the new International Grains Arrangement. We urge an early conclusion of this Arrangement. We are encouraged by the optimism expressed yesterday by the Executive Director of the International Wheat Council that there would be a solution by the mid 1980s. We are aware that the best way to ensure food security is to grow food locally in countries where it is needed. While we appreciate that the responsibility for ensuring that there is adequate food lies with eaoh national government, food deficit countries cannot do it alone and require assistance from donor countries. To ensure food security new administration in my country places much emphasis on food production. There is provision for the establishment of storage space of 500, 000 tons capacity and about 200, 000 tons of grain has been stored this year alone. Over 40, 000 tons of grains were bought and stored by the grain companies. The Government is now announcing its food security programmes at a cost of about 60 million dollars from our own resources. This programme has been based on the advice and the recommendations of the Food Security Assistance Scheme Mission mounted generally by FAO and Nigeria in 1975· The Scheme has helped us formulate projects for technical assistance for the management and operation of our strategy grain reserve. We thank FAO for providing advice on all aspects of our food security, including our grain production expansion programme, marketing, distribution and price policies and we are also grateful for assistance given us in our efforts to prevent food losses. We are happy to note the support given at various conferences and meetings to the Director-General's Five-Point Plan of Action to strengthen world food security.
We support the Plan of Action and we call upon the Conference to approve the Plan. We also support the draft resolution on world food security submitted by the delegations of Colombia, Guinea, India, Tunisia, Uruguay, Zaire and "Yugoslavia.
POINTOFORDER
POINTD'ORDRE
PUNTO DE ORDEN
P. ELMANOWSKY (France): Je me permets de prendre la parole à ce point du débat non pas pour traiter de la question au fond, mais simplement sur la suggestion de renvoyer les amendements au groupe de rédaction du Comité. Je pense préférable de rester à l'idée émise par le Président lui-même et de lui laisser la pleine liberté en la matière. Le groupe de rédaction n'est qu'un jgroupe de rédaction et jusqu'ici, m'a-t-on toujours dit, ce n'est pas un groupe de négociation. Laissons les choses comme le Président lui-même l'a décidé.
I. MOSKOVITS (Malta): Yes, of course, I fully agree with the delegate of France and in part, also, with the delegate of Colombia. I think, however, it is perhaps not the task of the Drafting Committee to deal with odd arrangements and odd additions. I would like to propose, therefore, that the Secretariat prepare a paper which would indicate also changes, additions and amendments proposed to the draft resolution. In view of the fact that two of the proposers of the draft resolution, Yugoslavia and Colombia stated that it is not a firm text, I think the Committee itself and the rest of the Commission should decide on the various proposals made in addition to the draft resolution, and only afterwards it could go to the Drafting Committee. I underline also, and fully agree with the delegate of France, the Drafting Committee is not a negotiating committee. It should draft but the Commission should decide first what should be drafted.
CHAIRMAN:I think that the Commission should stick to the ruling made by the Chairman this morning. That is that all views will be taken into consideration at the end of the afternoon's meeting, and I propose a procedure that we should go ahead with the next speaker on the list because we do not want to waste time on any procedural consideration. I think that all the interventions from the floor will be taken into consideration by the Chair in the afternoon's session. As we proposed at the opening of this meeting I am going ahead and giving the floor to the next speaker on my list -to Thailand.
S. HANPONGPANDH (Thailand):I have a long list of some of the things I would like to report to the Commission on what Thailand had been doing in connection with the five-point Plan of Action but, because the situation has changed, I shall concentrate more on the draft resolution.
We have mentioned before, in other forums, that besides what we have done through the ASEAN for the ASGAN for security reserves, another measure that could be helpful to the world food security drive would be that the food aid programme should also be on a triangular basis, because as a food exporting developing country we feel that such a basis would be very helpful to the world food security programme. As I read through the draft resolution I do not see anything about this, so I should like to propose that something be included about it in the draft resolution. The exact wording I think I will leave to the Drafting Committee, because English is difficult for us; it is not our language.
J. S. MTENGA (Tanzania):I can be brief here because the activities coming under this item are shown in paragraph 26 of Document C 79/23-supp. 2, but I would not want the occasion to pass without expressing our support for this item. The Tanzanian Delegation would like to associate itself with other delegations in supporting the Director-General's five-point Plan of Action and the attempts being made to strengthen world food security.
My delegation would like to stress how useful the FAO's Food Security Assistance Scheme has been for our country. It has been providing us with experts and programme advice on food security policies and programmes and has also helped to mobilize the resources required to implement the various projects under the food security programme of my country, including crop monitoring and the early
warning system, by providing useful data on crop yields and the over-all food security in my country. Secondly it has been providing programme assistance projects which have been doing very useful work in coordinating the various inputs into the Strategic Grain Reserve programme. It is therefore essential, in our view, that the scheme's resources be replenished to enable it to continue the very useful work it has been doing in this vitally important field.
We therefore strongly support the draft resolution on world food security, already sponsored by India, Zaire, Colombia, Yugoslavia and other countries.
M. A. KRIESBERG (United States of America): First let me comment on the draft resolution, since that has been much spoken of by speakers before us. We are largely in agreement with the draft resolution as we have seen it, but we do have some problems with the present wording; hence we support the Chairman's proposal for an informal group to work towards a resolution we could all fully support.
In connection with the FAO's five-point Plan of Action, the United States does support it as an appropriate response to the needs of world food security at this time. We spoke in support of the Plan at the FAO Council Meeting in June, when it was adopted.
The United States has also been following policies and programmes, as has already been indicated by Secretary Bergland, that meet the intent of the five-point Plan of Action in connection with food grain stocks, criteria for their management and release, and special measures to assist low-income food deficit countries to meet their import requirements and emergency needs. As Secretary Bergland indicated, United States policies of sustained high levels of production, together with a system of farmer and government held reserves, have provided adequate supplies and moderated prices in the face of rising world demand for food and feed grains.
Further, in connection with the five-point Plan, we also support the idea of special arrangements for food security assistance and collective self-reliance by groups of developing countries. In this context we would like to associate ourselves with the views expressed by the Delegate of Argentina, and others, that increased production is the foundation of food security, and there is need to provide producers with incentives to achieve high levels of production. I should add that our Government has provided a more detailed account of these policies and programmes to the FAO Secretariat, as was requested some months ago, but it may have arrived too late to be included in the supplement on food security prepared by the Secretariat for this meeting. We will resubmit the material, so that it may be in the record and in any updated report on what countries are doing in furtherance of the FAO's Plan of Action on World Food Security.
Rev. A. FONSECA (Holy See): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me the floor. There are just a few points my delegation would like to make at this time.
The Delegation of the Holy See is pleased that the International Undertaking on World Food Security is now once again being taken into consideration in order to guarantee its greater efficiency and give it back its original meaning as an authentic "commitment" by Governments in a binding and more specific form.
The Delegation of the Holy See con eiders the Conventions realised by the International Wheat Council as exemplary for their efficiency, their precision and their typical binding force; therefore it hopes that the completion of the definitive texts of the Mew International Grains Arrangement and the New Food Convention will soon be aohieved. This delegation feels that the reoent difficulties with their renewal do not arise from a lack of political will on the part of the States but rather from the need to define precisely the olearly more binding clauses which have been proposed as additions.
The Delegation of the Holy See considers the Direotfcor-aeneral's proposal to pro osad ad interim with some concrete achievements according to the five-point Plan of Action as inspired by praiseworthy principles.
This Delegation would like to emphasise that some improvements should be made in the building, management and distribution of stocks.
It is desirable that all the States Members of the FAO endorse and effectively adopt oereal stock policies and practices in order to reach first of all the immediate goals of the annual minimum of food aid and of the fund for emergency food reserves.
It is not only a matter of achieving the adoption of national policies by all the States Members for the replenishment or the building-up of new stocks while keeping them on their own territory and subjecting them only to the decisions of their own Governments. Instead, the attainment of stocks placed preventively in neuralgique points would respond more to criteria of justice and disinterested solidarity.
Above all it is felt necessary that the stocks be placed at the disposal of a multilateral body, entrusting their management to the FAO bodies. In this sense the proposal should be accepted of building up stocks in every region or zone and of supporting regional plans.
The Delegation of the Holy See therefore expresses its appreciation for the continuity given to the FAO Intergovernmental Committee on World Food Security and the growing activity of its Food Security AssistanceScheme. Also in this case concerning official aid this Delegation considers as important the overcoming of the method of "gifts" which are only occasional, with "surplus disposal", and which were previously handled through solely or predominantly bilateral relations. Likewise important is the attainment of guarantees of international assistance, with special forms of support for low-income countries and those with a chronic food deficit.
The entire aid policy for food security should be inspired by principles of self-reliance which enable individual countries to achieve the self-development of their own community, with outside assistance which is respectful of their dignity and sovereignty, but also with group cooperation inspired by collective self-reliance.
The Delegation of the Holy See is happy to see the application of a guiding principle, uttered by John Paul II here in the Plenary Meeting, whereby the States Members work together for world food security by overcoming closed nationalistic interests and by truly committing themselves in an on-going and binding way.
In view of the fact that we have a draft resolution before us, we feel that what we have said is very much in line with the spirit of that draft resolution and we would like to suggest a possible addition, which, briefly summarised would be: 1. to give back to the International Undertaking on World Food Security its original meaning as a commitment by Governments to provide public contributions which are guaranteed in an ou-going fashion and in a form which is truly binding; 2. to attain with more efficiency the building-up of not only national but intergovernmental stocks which are made available preventively for cri se β in névralgique sones and regions to be managed by bodies which played a multilateral and disinterested role.
Α. I· EL GULLA (Sudan): We appreciate very much the concise and comprehensive statement of the Director-General and we commend the document prepared by the Secretariat. We consider food security as very oruoial to us, the developing countries.
Last year my country had 600, 000 acres under wheat, and this would have covered nalf our local demand; but then we had too much rain and floods and as a result we had meagre harvcete, resulting in turn in a situation of insufficient seeds for this winter. We gratefully received 5, 000 tons of wheat with the help of FAO, and for some reason we could not procure enough seeds to cultivate ovr all-whea areas; in fact the area was reduced by 200, 000 acres. Needless to say, we had great diffisulty in procuring wheat this year. With a reduced area and escalating prices the situation will be serious next year.
We see the same situation in various developing countries. That is why we strongly support the Five Point Plan prepared by the Director-General, and support the Resolution put before us, as well as the practical steps outlined by the Director-General in his Statement.
Z. OWIRO (Kenya): The Kenyan Delegation would like to take this opportunity of expressing our full support for the Director-General's Report on the Implementation of the Plan of Action on World Food Security, as contained in document C/79/23. The Plan of Action is so far the only scheme on which there is international consensus, and it should therefore be implemented in the absence of an effective world agreement.
We would also like to express our support of the spirit behind the Draft Resolution on World Food Security, as contained in document C 79/LIM/34. In our view, the Draft Resolution summarizes very clearly the essential points discussed in various meetings within FAO, such as the Committee on Food Aid of the FAO Council.
In expressing our support of these documents, there are a few observations which we would like to make.
First of all, we fully realize, and subscribe to, the view that a long-term solution to the problem of world food security lies in developing countries producing enough food for themselves. This however is just not possible at present because of circumstances beyond the control of the developing countries. We have therefore to rely on the international community, and particularly the developed countries, to help us solve the problem.
It is in this context, we believe, that the Director-General has addressed himself to the problem. It is proposed that governments in regions or sub-regions which are vulnerable, to food shortages take initiatives to strengthen their collective self-reliance by organizing arrangements for mutual assistance in times of food shortfalls. We support this idea, and indeed note with great satisfaction that this principle of collective self-reliance has already been put in practice by some developing countries. We would only appeal to the donor countries to give full support in aid, as necessary, to enable other regions of developing countries to implement this proposal.
In conclusion, the Kenyan Delegation wishes to appeal to the world community through this Conference for greater practical cooperation in providing food security to all humanity, so that the scourge of hunger can be completely eliminated.
CHAIRMAN: I would like to announce that the Delegation of the Gambia would wish to submit a written statement on the Agenda before us. Their statement will be incorporated in the record of the meeting.
R. S. MA'ARUF (Iraq) (interpretation from Arabic): The scheme of World Food Security includes a number of measures, the most important of which is to call upon developing countries to depend on self-reliance, and also the provision of assistance for food security. My country's delegation supports the proposed Plan and we hope that we shall be able to implement it. However, we believe that this Plan depends in the first instance on the ability of developing countries to develop their agricultural resources, in particular crops.
The Government of Iraq has made every effort to implement the scheme of World Food Security. At the national level, our Government is providing huge funds to develop food security, through the slogans raised by our Revoluntionary Authority that "the hungry cannot enjoy dignity at all", and that there canbe no economic or social progress unless the Government provides the community with its needs. In order to provide the infrastructure for the huge progress for which we are aiming, which calls for the provision, of food security, vast surveys of land have been carried out in Iraq. We covered about one million dunums, and we reclaimed about ten thousand hectares, during the current year. In the field of storage, we have established about one hundred stores, and there are two hundred other stores, in order to accumulate reserves. Our capacity will exceed 150 000 tons by the end of 1980.
On the international and regional levels, Iraq has been very active in providing financial aid and aid in kind, and we shall pursue our assistance in this field despite the fact Iraq provides finance for joint regional and international assistance schemes. The Iraqi Governament has given about $5 million to the cooperation scheme between the organization and the countries in the region, and we also support five projects in the region in pursuance of our active role on the international level. This is in addition to the assistance given by Iraq through the fund of FAO. It is noteworthy here that Iraq has previously established a f und for external assistance with a view to providing non-commercial loans to developing countries to help them in their work of development. Assistance given by Iraq throurgh this fund reached $700 million.
Therefore, Iraq is actively assuming its role, and we support the international community in order to reach our lof ty objectives and we are always ready to implement the targets set for food security.
D. RICHTER (Germany, Fed. Rep. of) (interpretation from German): The proposed Plan of Action is based on the international undertaking on world food security. This is called, in brief, "Undertaking”. This undertaking is based on the recognition that food can be secured in the long-term only by increasing food production and by maintaining sufficient stocks in those countries which suffer from food deficits. The recommendations are concentrated on that principle. At the same time, an international coordination of national stockholding measures is recommended, in order to stabilize markets and prices, and as a contribution towards ensuring food supply. My Government has supported these aims from the outset.
The present Plan of Action specifies in the first two Chapters the recommendations of the Undertaking to hold national stocks, taking into account the developments on the world markets. The stockholding measures within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Community, especially in the grains sector, fully correspond with the recommendations we have before us for the maintenance and management of stocks. The Representative of the European Community has already stated this in detail. Like the Representative of the Commission, my Government has always declared that the appropriate basis for an international coordination of national measures will be a new International Grains Arrangement.
As far as the further recommendations of the Plan of Action are concerned, I do not need to speak at length. The Minister for Food, Agriculture and Forestry of my country, in his statement to the Plenary Session here, said that the Federal Government, in cooperation with the developing countries, supports measures for a comprehensive food security. Prevention of famines, increase of agricultural production, and promotion of employment in rural areas, are priority aims of this programme. My Government welcomes the comprehensive activities on food security in developing countries which are described in paragraphs 27-37 of document C 7 9/23 dealing with the Plan of Action. What is also encouraging in particular is the increasing cooperation between developing countries in the important task of food security.
As far as food aid is concerned, my Government makes contributions. Within the framework of the existing Food Aid Convention, my Government makes 147 800 tons of grains available per year, and its contributions to the World Food Programme, especially since the World Food Conference, have constantly been increased from DM 38 million in 1973-74 to DM 75 million in 1979-80. Furthermore, my Governmentregularly supports, with about 35, 000 tons of grains, the international emergency reserve of 500 million tons of grains.
I would like to make a few further comments on the suggestions made for the implementation of the Action Plan in paragraphs 42-54 of the document.
In the view of my Government, the present mandate of the Committee on World Food Security is sufficient to cover this Plan of Action as well. A special additional mandate for review as laid down in paragraphs 43 and 44 should therefore not be necessary we feel. Furthermore, every state is free to decide what it is going to do according to its situation and to report on these measures. The Secretariat will also in future be in a position, on the basis of reports from governments and on the basis of other data, to provide the necessary documentation to the Committee in order to be able to review the present supply and stock situation.
The considerations in respect of food aid, and the use of aids of the World Food Programme in paragraphs 46 to 48 of the document, are dealt with by the competent Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes.
The work of FSAS deserves full appreciation. The cooperation between my Government and developing countries in the field of food security corresponds with the objectives of the FSAS and is coordinated with the FAO. There is a continuous exchange of experience and information between the FAO and the relevant government agencies of my country. My Government also supports FAO missions to individual countries and, furthermore, provides experts for such missions. This excellent cooperation should be strengthened even further. As in the past, my Government believes that the setting up of a new sub-committee of the Committee on World Food Security is not necessary.
Very important suggestions are made in paragraphs 50-52 concerning cooperation between developing Countries by means of common promotion of food production, expansion of trade, and mutual assistance in the case of crop failures. These two possibilities should be examined further in the various regions.
To end I should like to say a few words concerning the draft resolution. I too believe that this draft resolution should be examined in an informal group and, additional to the suggestions made by the representative of the European Economic Community, I would like to point to another item which my Government considers to be important, and this is paragraph 8 in document C 79/LIM/34. The invitation to the IMF is already contained in the Plan of Action itself, and we know that the International Monetary Fund at its meeting in December will be dealing with this question. Therefore, my Government feels that this paragraph should be deleted because it is redundant.
R. CARLIER (Belgique) Comme l'a declaró le Directeur général, la Communauté internationale n'a pas d'autre choix qu'agir maintenant et cela sur deux fronts qui sont complémentaires: celui des mesures â moyen et long terme visant à accélérer la croissance de la production alimentaire dans les pays en développement, et celui des mesures immédiates visant a mettre sur pied un système mondial de sécurité alimentaire.
La sécurité alimentaire mondiale dépend pour une part essentielle des politiques nationales des pays en développement à déficit alimentaire, politiques visant à accroître leur autosuffisance alimentaire.
Cet enseignement qui nous est donné par la Conférence mondiale sur la Réforme agraire et le développement rural me paraît fondamental: un pays ne peut réussir à développer son agriculture que s'il a mis l'autosuffisance alimentaire au premier rang de ses objectifs et réserve à cette politique des moyens budgétaires et humains importante, allant jusqu'à se préoccuper du sort des petits agriculteurs.
Il est évident qu'une aide extérieure est nécessaire pour réaliser cet objectif et nous reconnaissons qu'elle devra être poursuivie et même augnentée.
Dans le cadre de la Convention alimentaire, la Belgique est prête à augmenter sa contribution et à la porter de 33 000 tonnes à 43 700 tonnes.
En se référant aux recommandations du système mondial de l'alimentation d'Ottawa, mon pays a aussi pris la décision de ne pas retarder la négociation de la nouvelle convention relative à l'aide alimentaire, en attendant les négociations sur l'accord du blé. Je puis annoncer que moyennant cette garantie juridique sur le lien entre la Convention sur le commerce des céréales et la convention relative à l'aide alimentaire, la Belgique prendra ses responsabilités au sein de la CEE.
L'aide alimentaire ne doit pas seulement être augnentée, elle devra être également située dans une stratégie. L'aide alimentaire doit se situer en étroite relation avec le développement de la production alimentaire, comme le délégué de la Suisse l'a expliqué hier après-midi dans cette Commission.
Je vous informe également que la Belgique, pour la première fois, à l'intention de contribuer pour 5000 tonnes à la Réserve alimentaire internationale d'urgence pendant l'année 1980.
Nous félicitons la FAO pour son travail de préparation et de mise en oeuvre de programmes d'assistance pour la sécurité alimentaire.
La Belgique a mis des crédits â la disposition de la FAO pour que des projets complets de développement dans le Sahel et d'autres pays en développement puissent bientôt être financés. De même, les projets bilatéraux pour l'assistance è la sécurité alimentaire sont pris en considération. Des crédits sont aussi prévus en faveur du Programme d'action FAO pour la prévention des pertes de produits alimentaires; plusieurs projets sont à l'étude.
Pour conclure, je tiens a signaler que mon pays appuie pleinement le Plan d'action de la FAO sur la sécurité alimentaire. En ce qui concerne la résolution, je me réfère à la déclaration de la CEE.
NGA MA MAPELLA (Zaïre): Ma délégation voudrait s'associer aux très nombreux orateurs qui ont pris la parole avant nous pour appuyer sans réserve les propositions du Directeur général visant è accélérer la mise en oeuvre du Plan d'action pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. telles que ces propositions sont exposées au chapitre 4 du document C 79/23·
En ce qui concerne le Plan d'action proprement dit, ma délégation estime que son approbation par notre Conférence doit être considérée comme une simple question de procédure. En effet, ce plan d'action en cinq points a déjà été examiné et approuvé, notamment par le Comité de la sécurité alimentaire, par le Conseil de la FAD et par le Conseil mondial de l'alimentation.
En resumo, ma délégation pense que l'on ne devrait pas revenir ici sur les débats de l'ensemble de ce plan.
Quant au projet de résolution, ma délégation pense aussi comme d'autres que dee propositions d'amendements que l'on pourrait faire éventuellement sur ce projet ne peuvent être approuvées que dans la mesure où elle tendent à en renforcer le texte original.
Sra. Dña G. SOTO CARRERO (Cuba): En casi todos los documentos analizados sobre este tema de la seguridad alimentaria, tanto en los proporcionados por la Secretaría de la FAO para ser analizados en esta Comisión como los discutidos en otros foros internacionales, instan a que se refuercen los programas de ayuda alimentaria para ayudar a los países en desarrollo a poner en práctica sus planes y proyectos de establecer reservas nacionales de alimentos como un paso para garantizar su seguridad alimentaria.
Hemos considerado, además, el hecho de que el aumento de la producción de alimentos en los países en desarrollo a ritmo acelerado constituye una base en la que ha de asentarse su seguridad alimentaria.
A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados en este sentido, los recursos totales de los programas de ayuda alimentaria, tanto bilaterales como multilaterales, no han alcanzado la recomendación hecha en 1974 por la Conferencia Mundial de la Alimentación.
Nuestra delegación considera varios aspectos como fundamentales para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria y que ya han sido analizados en otras reuniones: primero, fortalecimiento de la producción básica de alimentos en los países en desarrollo, así como sus políticas nacionales de reservas; segundo, garantía de alimentos básicos en el mercado internacional y una verdadera y justa situación de equilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda. Un tercer aspecto, muy vinculado al primero y dirigido fundamentalmente a los gobiernos a fin de que adopten las medidas nacionales internacionales necesarias a fin de lograr un desarrollo acelerado en la producción de alimentos.
El propio Consejo de la FAO ha convenido en la necesidad de que para establecer la seguridad alimentaria a largo plazo es preciso aumentar la producción de alimentos en los países en desarrollo.
Apoyamos la propuesta que en ese sentido ha hecho el delegado de Argentina.
Coincidimos plenamente con esta afirmación; sin embargo insistimos una vez más que el solo incremento de la producción de alimentos no resuelve el problema del hambre y de la desnutrición ya que la solución del problema se encuentra muy ligado a la situación de desigualdad en la distribución de los alimentos y a la prioridad general del desarrollo económico y social.
Este aspecto fue reconocido también en Otawa en la Comisión Social de la Alimentación y señalado en el párrafo 9 del documento C 79/23, uno de los aspectos sobre los cuales el Director General llama la atención.
Mi delegación analiza este aspecto de una manera un poco más amplia. Consideramos que no se trata de distribución sólo en el aspecto logistico, transporte, almacenamiento, etc. ; se trata de un aspecto más profundo, a nuestro modo de ver, o sea distribución equitativa de todo lo que se produce, que disminuya cada vez más la brecha entre la opulencia de muchos y la miseria de otros.
Consideramos un esfuerzo extraordinario realizado por la FAO en pro de la seguridad alimentaria. El plan de cinco puntos presentado por el Director General ha contado siempre con nuestro apoyo; apreciamos sinceramente las disposiciones tomadas para llevar a efecto este plan de acción y nos parece muy práctico que cada vez esa ayuda se canalice más por la vía multilateral.
Muy interesante y digno de poner en práctica nos parecen los párrafos 51 y 52 que se refieren a la cooperación técnica entre países en desarrollo, así como el planteamiento del párrafo 48 que se refiere fundamentalmente a la venta de alimentos en los propios países.
No quisiéramos extendernos más y sólo nos restaría proponerlea la Comisión, o quizá preguntarle a usted, señor Presidente, que son preocupaciones que nos asaltan, si tal vez algún órgano que se considere apropiado pudiera dar una informacióndetallada de los beneficios que en términos económicos y sociales brinda a los países en desarrollo la ayuda alimentaria, lo cual tal vez ayudaría a que muchos países comprendieran que, efectivamente, los esfuerzos que realizan y los que son aún capaces de realizar no caen en un vacío.
Consideramos que es hora de que se cumpla definitivamente la resolución 18 de la Conferencia Mundial de la Alimentación, la cual recomendaba las directrices internacionales en situación de urgencia, se formulen como parte de ese compromiso de seguridad alimentaria propuestas para lograr una coordinación eficaz de estas reservas y conseguir que el socorro alimentario llegue a los grupos más necesitados y vulnerables de los países en desarrollo, teniendo siempre en cuenta que la seguridad alimentaria ha de abordarse desde varios ángulos, especialmente, como decíamos anteriormente, fortaleciendo la producción básica de alimentos en los países en desarrolio, una correcta y equitativa distribución de alimentos, aplicación de políticas nacionales de reservas y otras medidas que incluyen, como es lógico, acuerdos comerciales a largo plazo que sean beneficiosos también para los países en desarrollo.
Con relación a la resolución sobre seguridad alimentaria mi delegación considera que cuando en la misma se mencionan las necesidades crecientes de importación de los países en desarrollo debería mencionarse también el deterioro de las balanzas de pago en esos países; asimismo consideramos que debe mencionarse en la misma los nefastos resultados de la distribución no equitativa de la producción de alimentos.
Nuestra propuesta concreta es que en el segundo párrafo del preámbulo donde dice "la ausencia de un sistema de reservas coordinado internacionalmente" se agregue la frase: "la distribución no equitativa de la producción de alimentos".
Asimismo, al final del epígrafe (a) del párrafo 4 agregarle la frase: "teniendo en cuenta además la situación de sus balanzas de pago".
Señor Presidente, mi delegación considera que siempre y cuando las enmiendas que se presenten no constituyan cuestión de fondo, tal y como ha sido hasta estos momentos, podríamos apoyar las propuestas de algunas delegaciones en el sentido de que las mismas sean tomadas por la Secretaría y pasen al Comité de Redacción, aunque, por supuesto, el Presidente, la Mesa y la propia Comisión tienen toda la potestad para decidir la necesidad o no de crear un grupo de contacto.
A. PAPASOLOMONTOS (Cyprus):Nr. Chairman, the BLreot or-General. s introductory remarks yesterday as well as document C 79/23 bave provided us with a good background on the present world food situation, on the implementation of the Plan of Action on World Food Security and on further steps that need to be taken to achieve the objectives on world food security. We note the ourrent, that is the 1979. lower international agreements with all the possible consequences, as well as the fact that the margin of security which exists in the form of unused land in traditionally exporting countries is rapidly dwindling. This simply means that substantial future ino re ase s in production in these exporting countries would have to be aohieved through vertical rather than through horizontal expansion, a task which might not be easy. This places more emphasis, indeed places a responsibility, on developing countries to increase their production either through horizontal or vertioal expansion, preferably through a combination of both. We have noted with great satisfaction that all other delegations have brought out this point.
Wé have also noted oarefully the steps already taken to implement the Plan of Action on World Food Security. Little progress has been made, oertainly not as much and certainly not to the extent that many of us wished. Bit my delegation has been pleasantly surprised by the pioneering and important steps taken by developing countries themselves aiming at collective self-reliance as outlined in paragraph 35-37 of our basic document. These countries involved are worthy of our wholehearted congratulations. They have provided us with concrete examples of mutual assistance between developing countries or nations. As a result we fully support the Bireotor-Oeneral's recommendation that this aspect of mutual assi stano e should be further pursued at the Regional Conferences.
Turning now to future actions I wish to clarify that in my delegation's view food security basioally revolves around the question of continuity of food supply for the poor and that food insecurity is substantially brought about by inherent annual variabilities in production. In our view food security at the national level needs to be tackled on both a long and short-term basis. On a long-term basis we should aim first at accelerating inoome growth, secondly at controlling rates of population growth; thirdly, expanding production and productivity through investment-oriented projeóte, including irrigation, research and extension; and finally by improving transportation facilities themselves.
On a short-term basis the following aspects warrant our firm support both at the national and international levels and revolve around optimizing or developing, as appropriate, the following aspeóte: reliable orop monitoring syst ems, grain reserves, strategically located investments in irrigation where applicable to reduoe annual variability of production, trade policies inoluding balanoe-of-payments support, additional storage facilities, training in storage and handling of grain buffer stocks as well as inoreaeed food aid.
We do share the Direotor-Qeneral’ β view that we have no alternative but to act now and fully support the proposals put forward by him and at paragraphs 38-53 in document C 79/23·However, my delegation strongly believes that it is the responsibility of each and everyone of our developing nations to take, to the extent that our human, finanoial and natural re sour oes allow us, early, consistent and continuous steps towards ensuring food security at the national level. Such steps, which could include investments in all the areas I have mentioned earlier, will be capital-intensive but we have little doubt that international initiatives inoluding substantially stronger financial support for the Food Security Assistance Scheme of FAD could substantially reduoe the burden of the developing countries towards those objeotives. And that the Plan of Action on World Food Security properly and wholeheartedly implemented by all of us could provide us with a coordinated approach to food security on both a short and a long-term basis.
Finally, I would like to refer to the Draft Resolution and to inform you that my delegations find no difficulty in accepting it as it is in the draft.
D. H. J. ABEY AGOONASEKERA (Sri Lanka): The purpose of this late intervention by Sri Lanka ie to reaffirm once more our support for the analysis and the recommendations contained in the document under review. The discussions have focused attention on alternatives and options that face these national communities as a whole and the policy choices that should he made at the global level in order to stave off a gloomy future for the countries as a whole and secure a more favourable one. Under the circumstances that are likely to prevail in the decades to come all peoples and nations are destined to have a common future, namely the future of humanity itself.
We have had a reasonable discussion on the appropriate polioies that all countries, both developed and developing alike, should adopt on this particular subject. The deliberations on the need to ensure world food security started during 1974 and continued through Ottawa, Tokyo, Lusaka, Havana, London and now in our own Organization here.
In very broad terms food security could be achieved in two ways: firstly, through greater production by continued and enhanced investment in agrioulture with the countries' own resources as well as with external assistance; secondly, through assistance by those in a position to increase their surpluses to meet the food shortages of those in need. Although an International Orain s Agreement has not been finalized as yet we do hope that when the time comes for its renewal late this year the responsible members of the international community will respond favourably.
As was rightly pointed out by some delegates the continued dependence on the surpluses of some countries, on the generosity of donors, is not the ultimate solution in combating recurrent food shortages. My delegation lays particular stress on the need for countries to be self-reliant as far as possible-self-reliance, notably in the sense of each country managing its own problems, making its own decisions and achieving what it wants.
Finally, we wish to reaffirm the stand we have already taken both at the last Counoil meeting and at the Plenary in supporting the Five Point Plan of Action enumerated by the Director-General and the Draft Resolution which has been proposed by the delegates of seven member countries here.
CHAIRMAN: Rwanda has submitted a written statement to be included in the record. The Botswana Delegation has also sent a written statement to be included in the record of this morning's meeting.
Mme L. DE AZEVEDO (Portugal): Nous avons lu avec beaucoup d'intérêt le rapport du Directeur General sur l'application du plan d'action pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Ce document, si important, m'a suggéré les remarques suivantes: comme nous le savons bien, l'homme est un être d'action et de réflexion. Dans ses rapports avec le monde qui l'entoure, et par l'action qu'il exerce sur lui, l'homme est marqué par les résultats de sa propre action. En agissant, il transforme; en transformant, il crée une réalité qui, à son tour, l'environne et conditionne sa manière d'agir.
Il n'est donc pas possible de séparer l'homme du monde où il vit, car ils ne peuvent exister l'un sans l'autre. L'individu, la famille et la communauté ne doivent jamais être envisagés isolément, car ils sont entièrement interdépendants et interliés dans le processus de transformation du monde auquel ils appartiennent, processus dont ils sont responsables à différents niveaux.
Pour diverses raisons, la qualité de vie de l'humanité s'est progressivement détériorée à tous les niveaux et, bien qu'à différents degrés d'intensité, dans tous les pays.
Chacun de nous a sa part de responsabilité dans cette situation et c'est pourquoi il appartient à chacun de nous de faire en sorte que soient mis à exécution le plus rapidement possible tous les moyens capables d'améliorer la vie de chacun.
Il est indispensable, en effet, de déterminer quels sont les besoins essentiels des individus et les véritables valeurs qui permettent de créer les conditions les plus favorables à la satisfaction de ces besoins, quel que soit le milieu où ils vivent et les ressources dont ils disposent.
L'objectif que l'on se propose ne doit pas être "tout pour un" ni "le même pour tous" mais bien "le meilleur pour chacun". Les nécessités fondamentales de l'individu se rattachent essentiellement, comme on le sait, à l'alimentation, à l'habitation et au vêtement. Chacun évalue ses nécessités, et d'autres, à la lumière de sa propre personnalité et des conditions déterminées par le milieu qui l'environne.
Compte tenu de ce que nous venons de dire, nous considérons absolument indispensable pour la mise en oeuvre d'un programme aussi vaste et basique que celui dont nous discutons, de n'oublier jamais les conditions de vie locales des populations qui, malheureusement, ont besoin de recevoir l'aide alimentaired 'autre s populations qui ont eu la chance d'être nées dans les pays plus riches et plus développés.
Presque plus important que le fait de "donner des aliments" aux pays en développement devra être celui de leur apprendre à mieux les produire, â mieux les conserver, à y établir des stocks de denrées alimentaires pour leur propre sécurité alimentaire, c'est-à-dire à les aider à profiter et à développer, au maximum, leurs propres ressources, en vue de l'amélioration de leurs conditions de vie.
Le role de la FAO à ce sujet sera, certainement, très important.
L'intensification et l'élargissement de la coopération économique entre pays en développement dans le domaine de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture, nous les considérons, eux aussi, d'une importance vitale en vue de leur sécurité alimentaire, aux niveaux national et collectif.
L'autonomie collective des pays en développement devra être également encouragée, surtout en matière de sécurité alimentaire.
Il faut que tous les pays du monde, développés et en développement, fassent un grand effort coordonné afin de prendre, le plus vite possible, des mesures aux niveaux national, régional et international, en vue d'assurer à chaque individu, enfant, femme ou homme, la satisfaction, pour le moins, de leurs besoins nutritionnels basiques.
Il est évident qu'il y a des mesures qui devront être prises à court et à long terme: l'aide internationale directe des pays les plus développés du point de vue de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale; l'aide indirecte aux pays les moins développés, pout les amener à leur autonomie collective et à leur autosuffisance en matière d'alimentation. Les dernières mesures ne seront pas les moins importantes pour tous ceux qui désirent vraiment que l'amitié entre les peuples, basée sur la justice sociale, devienne une réalité pour tout le monde. 1/
M. A. A. MOHAMMED (United Arab Emirates) (translated from Arabic) The United Arab Eairates delegation supports the resolution submitted in Boo. LIM/34, and considers it the minimum required from this Conference.
The Direotor-General said that this item would be the most important item to be discussed in this Conference. He was right. The United Arab Bniratee believes that the main problem is not production, as it appeared in most of the speeches, but as Bernard Shaw said, "The problem is in the unjust distribution". In the same country, food could be available in the shop next door, but the poor oannot afford to buy it; thus they will go to bed hungry. The oase is also applicable in developing countries, especially the most seriously affeoted.
It is the duty of the negotiators, in food matters, to learn lessons from history.
The United Arab Bniratee believes that establishing a new international economic order is the ideal solution to food security. 2/
A. M. B. JAQJÏ (The Gambia) Mr. Chairman, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the discussion on the implementation of the Plan of Action on World Food Security.
All the Sahel countries, of which The Gambia is a part, have given top priority to increasing food production in both their national development plans and the strategy for the Development of the Sahel adopted by the Inter-State Committee for the Control of Brought in the Sahel (CILSS) and the Club des Amis du Sahel. The attainment of food security is crucial for the overall development of the Sahel.
1/ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès verbal.
2/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
Over the last ten years our countries have had to increase food imports considerably at tremendous cost to our national economies. The distinguished delegate of Mauritania informed the meeting yesterday that his country will have to import 130, 000 tons of food to offset shortfalls in production resulting from drought this year. In The Gambia the shortfall in production of crops resulting from the shortage of rainfall in September and October this year is likely to he 25, 000 tons. Scarce foreign exchange would have to be used to pay for the import of food.
While we appreciate the food assistance given to us to alleviate suffering in drought years, we believe that the long-term and only effective answer to the problem of drought and ohronio food shortage is to develop our natural resources to inorease food production to the level of self-sufficiency in basic food. Heavy investment in infrastruotural projects is for The Gambia, and indeed for most of the Sahel countries, a prerequisite for the attainment of this basio food self-sufficiency objective.
The donor countries and agenoies that have a sincere desire to help the countries prone to drought to inorease food production should assist them to develop and exploit their natural resources, particularly surface and groundwater resources for irrigation purposes. Total relianoe on rainfall for food production is preoarious to say the least and makes for considerable uncertainty in food production and in food security from year to year. To achieve self-sufficiency in basic food orop production on a sustained basis, we need to develop our surface and groundwater resources; we need the assistance of the donor countries and agenoies to meet the heavy investment necessary to tap these resources. The Gambian delegation believes that this point relating to the need for support of infrastruotural projeots to tap water resources for irrigation purposes to ensure food orop production on a sustained basis, should be underlined in our discussion of the Implementation of the Plan of Action on World Food Security. 1/
A. NDBGEYA (Rwanda): La question de la séourité alimentaire est tres importante et c'est a juste titre qu'elle a retenu longuement l'attention de oette Commission.
Malgré des récoltes souvent abondantes dans les périodes normales, la plupart dea pays en développement ne parviennent pas à constituer des réserves suffisantes pour surmonter les difficultés périodiques dues soit aux inondations, soit à la sécheresse.
Il y a quelques années, lors de la Conférence de la FAO de 1973, nous avions enregistré la volonté de certains paye développés d'aider les pays en développement dans le domaine de la constitution de stocks nationaux.
Ma délégation saisit loi l'oocasion de rem eroi er l'aide que mon pays a reçue pour l'aider dans la constitution de stocks qui ont permis de régulariser la situation alimentaire, surtout en ce qui concerne le harioot, denrée tres importante pour mon pays.
Ces remerciements s'adressent spécialement au gouvernement des Etats-Unis.
D'autres pays, notamment ceux de la CEE, la Suisse, etc. noua ont apporté une aide tres appréoiée et nous espérons qu'ils continueront à nous aider.
Tout cela nous incite à soutenir le plan d'action en cinq points proposé par le Directeur général ainsi que le projet de résolution présenté par la Colombie, la Guinée, l'Inde, la Tunisie, l'Uruguay, le Zaïre et la Yougoslavie.
La sécurité alimentaire n'est évidemment pas possible sans augmentation de la production dans les différents pays. C'est la raison pour laquelle je me permets de revenir sur l'importance de certains facteurs qui handioapent les possibilités de stimuler la production; je me limite à citer le coût des engrais et leur transport particulièrement élevé pour les pays enclavés, tel que mon pays, le Rwanda.
Tous les éléments qui influencent dono la production doivent ttre tenus en con si dération. 2/
J. ΡILANE (Botswana): Cm behalf of the Botswana delegation I would like to congratulate you on being eleoted Chairman of this Commission.
1/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
2/ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au proofs-verbal.
Mr. Chairman, later this year Botswana will be launching her Fifth National Development Plan (1979/80-1964/85)·The themes of the Plan are rural development, employment creation and self-sufficiency in staple food production in the mid 1980s. Detailed planning for a major arable lands development programme is already in an advanced stage. The programme's main objective is to increase employment opportunities in the rural areas not only by increasing acreage under cultivation but also by increasing the amounts of time spent on orop fields. It is estimated that 10, 000-12, 000 jobs can be created during the plan period by providing farmers with facilities that would enable them to increase time spent on crop fields. Che of the major constraints to arable farming in Botswana is the perennial non-availability of water at the farming areas. The arable lands development programme will provide infrastructural facilities including water, market outlets, credit, inputs and implement supply services, access roads etc.
However, this programme will not be easy to implement due to a number of constraints inoluding institutions needed to carry out the programme, finance, skilled manpower, just to mention a few.
Mr. Chairman, Botswana is not only food-deficit, it is also drought-prone, making the availability of food from domestio production very erratic and unpredictable. This does not, in any way, imply that any effort to attain self-sufficiency in basic food crops is a lost battle. Annual grain consumption is estimated at about 100, 000 tonnes. This level has. twice been exceeded in the recent past; first in 1973/74 and secondly in 1976/77 when in both years grain production reaohed or exceeded 118, 000 tonnes.
During the next plan period, six strategic grain reserves with a oapaoity of 6, 000 tonnes will be built with USAID funding. However, this will only be a drop in the ocean, especially for a country which isa net importer of food.
Mr. Chairman, the success of developing countries in overcoming their food problems cannot be determined by their efforts alone or isolatedly. External assistance and collective self-reliance are necessary components to the solution of the problem. Nor can the problem be solved by rei i ano β on food imports even if financial resources were made available for the purpose. It is for this reason that the delegation of Botswana finds consolation in the Five-Point Plan of Aotion on World Food Security. The Plan has most, if not all, of the components for a rational World Food Security scheme. This delegation, therefore, supports this Plan of Aotion as well as the draft resolution on World Food Security proposed by Colombia, Guinea, India, Tunisia, Uruguay, Zaire and Yugoslavia 1/
The meeting rose at 12. 30 hours
La séance est levée à 12 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 12. 30 horas
1/. Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
