INTRODUCTION - PROCEDURE OF THE SESSION

INTRODUCTION

1. The Hundred and Thirteenth Session of the Council was held in Rome from 4 to 6 November 1997 under the Chairmanship of José Ramón López Portillo, Independent Chairman of the Council.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND TIMETABLE 1

2. The Council noted the Declaration of Competence and Voting Rights presented by the European Community and adopted the Agenda and Timetable for the Session. The Agenda is given in Appendix A to this Report.

ELECTION OF THREE VICE-CHAIRMEN AND DESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF DRAFTING COMMITTEE 2

3. The Council elected three Vice-Chairmen for its Session: Tang Zhengping (China) Gerd Massmann (Germany), and Saeed Nouri-Naeeni (Iran, Islamic Republic of).

4. The Council elected Atul Sinha(India) as Chairman of the Drafting Committee with the following membership: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Japan, Syria and Uruguay.

 

ACTIVITIES OF FAO

PREPARATIONS FOR THE TWENTY NINTH SESSION OF THE FAO CONFERENCE 3

Nominations of the Chairman of the Conference, and of the Chairmen of the Commissions of the Conference

5. In accordance with Rule VII-1 of the General Rules of the Organization the Council agreed to put the following nominations before the Conference:

Chairman of the Conference: Lyle VANCLIEF (Canada)
Chairman of Commission I: Saeed NOURI-NAEENI (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
Chairman of Commission II: Anthony BEATTIE (United Kingdom)
Chairman of Commission III: Bob Francis JALANG'O (Kenya)

Election of the Nominations Committee

6. In accordance with Rule XXIV-5(b) GRO, the Council elected the following 11 Member Nations to the Nominations Committee:

   ANGOLA
   BANGLADESH
   BELGIUM
   CANADA
COSTA RICA
FINLAND
GUINEA
HONDURAS
LEBANON
ROMANIA
THAILAND

 

REPORT OF THE CCP CONSULTATIVE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SURPLUS DISPOSAL (CSSD) (RELAYED TO THE COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF THE CCP) 4

7. The Council considered and endorsed the Report of the 36th Session of the CCP Consultative Sub-Committee on Surplus Disposal (CSSD). Some members confirmed their endorsement of the Report while reiterating their concern at the exemption from prior consultation procedures of bilateral transactions through the World Food Programme (WFP) and monetary grants where the commodity was purchased from a low-income, food-deficit country (LIFDC). The Council emphasized the importance of the CSSD monitoring all the transactions set out in the new Register of Transactions. With reference to the issue of the location of the CSSD Secretariat, which had been raised at the CCP meeting in February 1997, some members reiterated their request to the FAO Secretariat for a report.

8. The Council adopted the following Resolution, which modified the Procedures contained in the Annex to Council Resolution 1/53:

Resolution 1/113

Consultative Obligations of Member Nations under FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal

THE COUNCIL,

Noting that the Consultative Sub-committee on Surplus Disposal (CSSD), a subsidiary body of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), was established by the FAO in 1954 to monitor international shipments of surplus agricultural commodities used as food aid in order to minimize the harmful impact of these shipments on commercial trade and agricultural production,

Recalling the Annex to Council Resolution 1/53 (October 1969) containing procedures for notifications and consultation on food aid transactions under the Principles of surplus disposal and including the Catalogue of Transactions 5,

Considering that the CCP at its Sixtieth Session (April 1995) had welcomed the incorporation of the Principles in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and had urged the Sub-committee to undertake a review of the Principles, focusing in particular on the Catalogue of Transactions, including the "grey area" transactions,

Considering that the CCP at its Sixty-First Session in February 1997 recommended that the CSSD further consider its report which should be presented to the Bureau for review and subsequently relayed by the Bureau to the FAO Council for decision, and that the report of the CCP containing this recommendation was endorsed by the Council at its Hundred and Twelfth Session in June 1997:

  1. Endorses the recommendations of the CSSD, for a revision of the Procedures contained in the Annex to Resolution 1/53, including the change of the term Catalogue of Transactions to Register of Transactions, as set out in the Annex to this Resolution;

  2. Requests the Director-General

(a) to transmit to Member Nations and Associate Members the text of the present Resolution and the annexed recommendations and to invite them to signify their readiness to follow the agreed procedures, and

(b) to draw the attention of Member Nations and Associate Members to the benefits to be derived from the widest possible participation of Governments in the activities of the CSSD.

Rome, 6 November 1997

Annex to Resolution 1/113

PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATIONS AND CONSULTATION UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF SURPLUS DISPOSAL RECOMMENDED BY FAO

The following procedures for notification and consultation are applicable to transactions of the types mentioned in the Register of Transactions reproduced below.

Notification and Consultation

(1) All reporting and consultative obligations and procedures shall be based on the principle of reciprocity among Member Nations and Associate Members.

(2) Before carrying out any transaction in agricultural commodities6 of a type mentioned in the Register of Transactions, and taking into account the special situations covered in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), below, the supplying country shall:

(a) undertake bilateral consultations with countries substantially interested by reason of their exports of the commodity concerned to the recipient country;

(b) notify the CSSD of the main features of the proposed transaction in order to provide other countries directly interested in exports of the commodity an opportunity for bilateral consultations, it being understood that this would not result in any lengthening of the total period of consultation.

(3) The above procedures shall not apply to:

(a) Transactions effected through intergovernmental organizations (including WFP) whose commodity transfers are already subject to special consultative rules or through intergovernmental organizations (including UNICEF and UNRWA) whose operations are of such a nature and volume as not to constitute a substantial danger of harmful interference with normal patterns of production and international trade. In such cases, donor countries shall notify the CSSD ex post facto as soon as practicable.

(b) Emergency transactions. In such cases, donor countries shall notify the CSSD ex post facto.

(c) Monetary grants as set out in category 4 in the Register of Transactions where the commodity is purchased locally or from a low-income food-deficit country (LIFDC) as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization. In such cases, donor countries shall notify the CSSD ex post facto.

(4) Transactions of relatively small size (as defined below) which are not likely to result in harmful interference with normal patterns of production and international trade shall be notified to the CSSD ex post facto as soon as practicable. Relatively small size levels are defined as follows: for wheat and other cereals, a quantity not over 10,000 tonnes; for rice, a quantity not over 1,000 tonnes; for dry skim milk, a quantity not over 400 tonnes, and for butteroil, a quantity not over 200 tonnes. These are aggregate quantities for one donor to a single recipient country during a 12-month period.

(5) FAO Member Nations which effect transactions through private charitable institutions shall periodically notify the members of CSSD using the CSSD distribution machinery in a reasonably comprehensive form, of the relevant data on the current pattern of programmes and projects, so that a Member Nation which considers its commercial trade endangered may request bilateral consultation.

Modifications to the List of Transactions and to the Register of Transactions

(6) There was general agreement that the lists of transactions were not exclusive and that some new types of transactions might be identified in the future. The Committee considered that the CSSD should be prepared to examine proposals by Member Nations for additions to or deletions from the List of Transactions7 and modifications to the Register of Transactions. If the CSSD, after taking account of arrangements in other international organizations, concluded that the type of transaction concerned fell within the scope of the FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal, it could request the CCP to decide whether it should be added to the categories of transactions subject to consultations and/or reporting.

Position of developing countries

(7) The Committee reaffirmed that, as agreed by the Council at its Twenty-Ninth Session, the governments of recipient countries continued to be under no obligation to take steps for prior consultation or reporting. The Committee agreed that, in keeping with the spirit of the FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal and Guiding Lines, the recommended procedures for consultations and reporting should not constitute an obstacle to, or cause undue delay in, the provision of food aid which was urgently required by a developing deficit country.

(8) The Committee agreed that special consideration should be given to the interests of developing exporting countries which depended heavily on export earnings from agricultural commodities. It also agreed that special consideration should be given to the safeguarding of local production and markets of developing countries.

Obligations of Member Nations in Other Organizations or under International Agreements

(9) The Committee recognized that in relation to the transactions it had identified, Member Nations may also have incurred obligations in other organizations and under international agreements, and that nothing recommended above in any way diminished these obligations or commitments. Likewise, nothing recommended above detracted from the generality of the FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal.

Register of Transactions 8

  1. Donations of domestically-produced commodities from a government to a government of an importing country, an intergovernmental organization9 or a private institution for free distribution directly to the final consumers in the importing country.
  1. Monetary grants by the government of an exporting country to an importing country, for the specific purpose of purchasing a commodity from the exporting country.

  2. Monetary grants by a government either to a supplying country (or countries) or to a recipient country for the specific purpose of purchasing a commodity from an exporting country (or countries) or from local suppliers in the recipient country for delivery to/in the specific recipient country.

  3. Monetary grants by a government to an intergovernmental organization or to a private institution for the specific purpose of purchasing commodities in the open market (including local purchase) for delivery to/in eligible recipient countries (developing countries).

  4. Transfers of commodities under the rules and established procedures of the World Food Programme.

  5. Sales for the currency of the importing country which is not transferable and is not convertible into currency or goods and services for use by the contributing country.

  6. Sales for the currency of the importing country which is partially convertible into currency or goods and services for use by the contributing country.

  7. Government-sponsored loans of agricultural commodities repayable in kind.

  8. Sales10 on credit in which, as a result of government intervention, or of a centralized marketing scheme, the interest rates, period of repayment (including periods of grace) or other related terms do not conform to the commercial rates, periods or terms prevailing in the world market. In particular with respect to period of repayment, credit transactions are distinguished as follows: (a) 10 years or more; (b) over 3 years and under 10 years.

  9. Sales11 in which the funds for the purchase of commodities are obtained under a loan from the government of an exporting country tied to the purchase of those commodities, distinguished as follows with respect to period of repayment: (a) 10 years or more; (b) over 3 years and under 10 years.

  10. Transactions under categories 1 to 4 and 7 to 11 subject to tied Usual Marketing Requirements or to tied Offset Purchasing Requirements.

  11. Transactions under categories 1 to 4 and 7 to 11 subject to tied purchase of fixed quantities of the same or another commodity from the exporting country.

  12. Government and non-government sponsored barter transactions not involving price concessions.

  13. Non-government sponsored barter transactions involving price concessions.

  14. Sales for non-convertible currency not involving price concessions.

 

NEGOTIATION OF A LEGALLY BINDING INSTRUMENT ON PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT (PIC) 12

9. The Council welcomed the progress made by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC).

10. The Council noted that the functions of the interim Secretariat and the Convention Secretariat are expected to result in additional financial obligations.

11. The Council requested that an estimate of additional financial requirement for the Interim Secretariat be made available to the Conference. The Council recommended that the Conference, subject to an agreement on the additional financial requirements:

DESERT LOCUST SITUATION: MEASURES TAKEN AND FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED 13

12. The Council noted the relatively calm Desert Locust situation but recommended to the Conference that locust-affected countries, supported by donors, maintain a high level of vigilance in the Western (West and Northwest Africa), Eastern (South-West Asia), and the Central Region (the Red Sea countries), especially where active locust populations still remained. In this context, the Council called on locust-affected countries to continue the process of sustaining and strengthening their locust survey and control teams as the fundamental element of successful preventive locust control.

13. The Council expressed its satisfaction at the progress made in establishing the EMPRES (Desert Locust) Programme in the Central Region, and in formulating an extension of the Programme to the Western Region (West and North-West Africa). The Council recommended that the Conference call on the international community and the locust-affected countries to continue to support the on-going Central Region Programme, and to urgently extend this support to the implementation phase of the Western Region.

14. The Council recommended to the Conference that the locust-affected countries be requested to re-evaluate existing regional locust control structures, in order to achieve an appropriate geographical coverage and to calculate in a realistic manner the financial resources that will be necessary to assist Member Nations to take common action.

15. In commenting on the Desert Locust Situation document, the Council took note of the progress already made in the development of products used at a very low concentration and the Council recommended to the Conference that emphasis be given to further research on, and to implementing the use of, alternatives to chemical pesticides which would minimize the negative effects of locust control on the environment. Research, especially within EMPRES, should also cover strategy development as part of the effort to strengthen national capacities and increased sustainability of locust control efforts.

PROGRAMME AGAINST AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS 14

16. The Council endorsed the objective and structure for the Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT) in recognition of the considerable impact of trypanosomiasis on animal production and food security, and for its potential to contribute to the objectives of the World Food Summit Plan of Action.

17. The Council noted the changes proposed in the reduction of the Statutory Bodies from three, namely the Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis and the two Panels of Experts on Ecological, Technical and Development Aspects, to a single body under the title of "the Panel of Advisory Group Coordinators". The establishment of this body should follow normal FAO procedures.

18. The Council strongly expressed its concern that the proposal had not first been submitted for the consideration of the technical bodies, namely the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), but nevertheless agreed that due to the importance of subject to food security it should be forwarded to Conference and not be delayed for a further two years.

19. The Council agreed that the draft resolution pertaining to the establishment of PAAT be forwarded to the Conference for consideration. It noted, however, that the establishment of PAAT would not involve additional Regular Programme resources beyond those allocated in the Programme of Work and Budget 1998-99.

20. The Council accordingly forwarded the following draft Resolution for consideration by the Conference:

Draft Resolution for the Conference

The Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT)

THE CONFERENCE,

Recognizing the severity of the impact of tsetse and trypanosomiasis on livestock, agriculture and human welfare in Africa,

Well aware that the disease has direct implications in attaining the objectives of the World Food Summit Plan of Action,

Welcoming FAO's initiative to secure international collaboration and coordination through the Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT):

1.Urges all Member Nations affected by the disease to reinforce their efforts to combat the disease and to coordinate their actions through PAAT and the Joint FAO/WHO/OAU/IAEA Secretariat to this Programme.

2.Requests the Director-General:

i) to further define and pursue how the potential offered by PAAT may contribute to the broader objectives of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD);

ii) to consolidate international action in trypanosomiasis control by formalizing, through an exchange of letters, the collaborative links required with WHO, IAEA, and OAU in order to effectively establish the Joint PAAT secretariat;

iii) to give formal recognition, within FAO, to the PAAT Programme Committee;

iv) to afford PAAT the priority, and profile warranted by its potential to contribute to the aims of the World Food Summit Plan of Action;

v) to abolish the two existing Statutory Bodies "The Panels of Experts on Ecological, and Technical Aspects and on Development Aspects to the Programme for the Control of African Trypanosomiasis and Related Development"and replace by the single Statutory Body, namely the "Panel of PAAT Advisory Group Coordinators"and to facilitate annual meetings;

vi) to abolish the Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis based on the consideration that the subject may be discussed, on an as required basis, by the FAO Regional Conference for Africa.

 

PROGRAMME, BUDGETARY, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

PROGRAMME OF WORK AND BUDGET 1998-9915

21. The Council examined the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) proposals addressing in particular the two main scenarios illustrated in the document. It noted that these scenarios corresponded to zero real growth (ZRG) and zero nominal growth (ZNG), which had been prepared in accordance with its request at its last session. Although some members would have preferred more information on the impact of the ZNG scenario, the Council welcomed the extensive information provided in the document, reflecting its own directives and the advice of the Programme and Finance Committees. The Council recognized the desirability of a more concise format in the future. It welcomed the detailed review of the proposals carried out by the Programme and Finance Committees.

22. The Council noted with appreciation that the PWB proposals had taken into account the views expressed by its Technical Committees. It also welcomed the attention given to maintaining an adequate balance between normative and operational activities. In this connection, the Council recalled their complementarity and the expectations of the membership that both be continued and strengthened.

23. The Council recognized that the proposals incorporated the impact of the exchange rate, as it had also requested at its last session, based on the use of a provisional rate of Lire 1690 to US$ 1. It noted that this provisional rate was very close to current rates.

24. The Council was informed that recently-revised estimates of staff redeployment and separation costs associated with post reductions led to unbudgeted costs of approximately US$ 4 million and US$ 12 million under ZRG and ZNG, respectively.

25. Some members stated that a further reduction in administrative costs and maximization of efficiencies was essential to limit cutbacks in technical and economic programmes, and provided some suggestions in this regard. Other members stressed the substantial savings already achieved in the recent past and the need for consolidation of these gains at the present juncture, before considering further changes in organizational structure.

26. Bearing in mind the discussion to be held in Commission II of the Conference in the following week, members provided their views on the substantive contents of the proposals and the various options under consideration, also reflecting positions of regional groups.

27. Most members reiterated their preference for real growth, in the light of the extensive requirements for assistance in countries. They also emphasized the objectives agreed at the World Food Summit which called for active support from FAO. In this context, they accepted the zero real growth option as the minimum necessary for FAO to be able to fulfil its mandate. They objected to the substantial reduction of outputs involved in the ZNG scenario.

28. Other members aimed at a budget level which may allow for some flexibility on the budget for technical and economic programmes on the condition of further reductions in non-substantive programmes, such as administrative costs.

29. Still other members felt that the ZNG scenario would preserve FAO's substantive capacity to implement an effective Programme of Work which met identified priorities. They considered that under this scenario the budget was more likely to be fully funded and that a ZNG budget would be fully consistent with current pressures to contain public expenditures in many countries. In agreeing with these views, one member of this group noted that it would prefer ZNG or below scenario.

30. One member recalled its government's position that the budget level should be between US$ 610 and US$ 615 million.

31. Another member stressed its specific interest in reinstating the work on the World Apparel Fibre Consumption Survey, which had been previously discontinued.

32. In conclusion, the Council recalled the unanimous desire to avoid the difficulties experienced at the last Conference. Given the range of positions still prevailing among the membership, it urged further efforts to seek consensus on the budget level.

33. The Council, noting that as of 3 November 1997 there were 79 Member Nations who had made no payment on their 1997 assessed contributions and that 75 members were with arrears of contributions, also reiterated the importance of all members meeting their financial obligations to the Organization and settling their contributions due in time, as well as arrears.

34. The Council stressed the need for members to strengthen their sense of belonging to the Organization.

REPORT OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE PROGRAMME AND FINANCE COMMITTEES (ROME, SEPTEMBER 1997) 16

Programme Budget and Medium-term Planning Process 17

35. In noting the positive reactions of the Joint Meeting to the proposals for a revised programme budget process, the Council decided to address the matter more fully under Agenda Item 10, in view of the more detailed examination of the proposals by the Programme Committee.

Savings and Efficiencies in Governance: Review of FAO Statutory Bodies 18

36. The Council expressed its appreciation for the report of the Ad-Hoc Contact Group on Statutory Bodies which had been set up by the Programme and Finance Committees. The Council recognized that the Report aimed at achieving greater efficiencies, as requested by the Council. The Council also took note of the comments made during the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees (document CL 113/2, paras 26-31).

37. The Council reviewed the Draft Resolution for the Conference proposed by the Ad Hoc Contact Group, as well as some specific recommendations concerning Statutory Bodies and their Subsidiary Bodies. In responding to the concerns about specific recommendations contained in the Report, the Council emphasized that the authority to abolish or modify the terms of reference of Subsidiary Bodies of Statutory Bodies rested with the Statutory Body. In this connection, the Council amended the Draft Resolution for the Conference and recommended that its wording should be carefully examined by the Conference before its approval in order to avoid any possible misunderstandings.

38. The Council decided to transmit the following Draft Resolution to the Conference for its consideration:

THE CONFERENCE,

Conscious of the continuing need to enhance the efficiency of the Organization and its governance in a time of financial challenge, to eliminate Statutory Bodies that are obsolete, to ensure more flexible task-oriented and time-bound working arrangements for those that remain and to limit the creation of new bodies to those that are strictly necessary,

Recognising the importance of moving towards increased self-financing for Statutory Bodies that have regional focus, and of enhancing the responsiveness of those bodies to the needs of their members:

  1. Decides to abolish the bodies listed in Annex A to this Resolution;

  2. Recommends to the parent bodies concerned that their Subsidiary Bodies listed in Annex B be abolished and calls on those parent bodies to take the necessary action unless they consider, taking into account the financial and programme implications, that there are overriding reasons for retaining any such bodies in existence and to report to the Council through the Programme and Finance Committees on the actions taken and, where appropriate, on the reasons for retaining any of the Subsidiary Bodies recommended for abolition;

  3. Requests the Director-General to consult with the organizations listed in Annex C with a view to securing alternative arrangements for, or the abolition of, the joint bodies listed in that Annex as deemed appropriate, and authorises their abolition, as appropriate;

  4. Recommends to the Codex Alimentarius Commission that it continue its review of the usefulness of its Subsidiary Bodies set out in Annex D;

  5. Encourages regional commissions established under Article VI of the Constitution to seek more extra-budgetary resources to supplement the resources made available to them under the FAO Regular Programme Budget, taking into account the economic capacity of the regions concerned and of their members;

  6. Calls on the Contracting Parties to conventions and agreements establishing regional bodies under Article XIV of the Constitution to seek where appropriate, increasingly to provide such bodies with their own financial resources, whether through cooperative programmes or other voluntary contributions, or through the establishment of autonomous budgets financed from mandatory contributions;

  7. Decides that in future, Statutory Bodies should be established only where strictly necessary and where the work to be undertaken cannot be carried out by ad-hoc groups, and that the terms of reference of all new bodies created should provide for a periodic review of their usefulness;

  8. Further decides that, to this end, the following factors should be taken into account in establishing new technical bodies and in the establishment of new Subsidiary Bodies:
  1. Requests all Statutory Bodies to examine how their rules of procedure and working methods could be streamlined to facilitate positive inter-action among participants at meetings, to promote a task-orientation and to strengthen the involvement of civil-society partners;

  2. Further requests the Secretariat to prepare information notes to facilitate review by the Council, following discussion in the Programme and Finance Committees, of a) possibilities for streamlining procedures and avoiding repetitious discussion in bodies at various levels, taking full account of the experience of other international organizations; and b) modalities for greater civil society involvement;

  3. Decides that, in general, Executive Committees should cease to be listed as formal Statutory Bodies in the Directory of FAO Statutory Bodies, except for the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

 

ANNEX A

GLOBAL BODIES

Commissions and Committees
- Commission on Fertilizers (FERT)
- FAO Olive Production Committee (0P)
- FAO Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)
- Panel of Experts on Improved Weed Management
- Panel of Experts on Agricultural Engineering
- FAO Statistics Advisory Committee of Experts (SAC)
- Consultative Group on Tropical Forests Action Programme
- FAO Advisory Committee on Forestry Education (ACFE)

REGIONAL BODIES
 
Commissions and Committees
- Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics (FDT)
- Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis
- Regional Commission on Farm Management for Asia and Far East
- Regional Commission on Food Security for Asia and Pacific
- Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for South-West Atlantic (CARPAS)
- Near East Regional Economic & Social Policy Commission (ESPC/NE)
Expert Committees and Panels
- Panel of Experts on Development Aspects of African Trypanosomiasis Control Programme
- Panel of Experts on Ecological/Technical Aspects of Programme for Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Related Development

 

ANNEX B

GLOBAL BODIES
Commissions and Committees
- Working Group of FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGFRA)
- Sub-Group on Rice Grading and Standardization of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:R)
- Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Oilseeds, Oils and Fats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:OF)
- Inter-governmental Group on Cocoa of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CC)
- Sub-Group on Cocoa Grading of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CC)
- Advisory Working Party on Hard Fibre Research of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:HF)
- Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Bananas of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:BA)
- Sub-Group of Exporters of Inter-governmental Group on Bananas of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:BA)
- Steering Sub-Group of Inter-governmental Group on Citrus Fruit of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CI)
- Inter-governmental Group on Wine and Vine Products of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:WI)
- Sub-Group of Exporters of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)
- Sub-Group on Promotion of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)
- Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)
- Sub-Committee on Programmes to Assist Developing Coastal States in Managing and Developing Fisheries in their Economic Zones (COFI:EEZ)
- COFI Sub-Committee on Fishery Education and Training (FET)
 
Experts Committees and Panels
- Ad Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Statistics of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)
- Sub-Committee of Ad-Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Statistics of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory    Committee of Experts (FIAC)
- Ad Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Marketing and Credit of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)
- Technical Sub-Committee of of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts
- Ad Hoc Working Party on Economics of Fertilizer Use of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)
- Panel of Experts: Group on Registration Requirements of the Joint FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Pesticide  Specifications, Registration  Requirements, Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
- Panel of Experts: Group on Pesticides Specifications of the Joint FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications,  Registration Requirements, Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
- Panel of Experts: Application Standards of the Joint FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements, Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
REGIONAL BODIES
Commissions and Committees
- Working Party on Aquaculture of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)
- Working Party on Stock Assessment of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)
- Working Party on Floodplain Fisheries of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)
- Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries of Lake Victoria (CIFA)
- Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)
   Sub-Committee for Protection and Development of Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone (CIFA)
- Working Party on Wildlife Management and National Parks of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC)
- Joint Working Party on Fish Technology and Marketing of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)
- Working Party on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)
- Working Party on Marine Fisheries of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)
- Joint Working Party Fishery Statistics and Economics of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)
- Working Party on Fishery Resources of the Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL)
- Working Party on Fishery Technology of the Commission for Inland Fisheries for Latin America (COPESCAL)
- Working Party on Aquaculture of the Commission for Inland Fisheries for Latin America (COPESCAL)
- Committee on Forestry Research of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Introduction of Exotic Species into Europe of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Fishing Gear Selectivity of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Crayfish of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Eel of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Aging of Coarse Fish of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Stocking of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Fishery Resources of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com I: Working Party on Brackish Water Fisheries & Aquaculture of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com. II: Working Party on the Influence of Fisheries Management Practices on Environment of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com II: Working Party on Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com II: Working Party on Fish Diseases & Withdrawal Period for Drugs of the European Fishery Advisory    Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com III: Working Party on the Prevention & Control of Bird Predation of the European Fishery Advisory    Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com III: Working Party on Fish-Farm Effluents of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Sub-Com III: Working Party on Effects of Physical Modifications of Aquatic Habitat on Fish Population of the    European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
- Working Party on Management of Mountain Watersheds of the European Forestry Commission (EFC)
- Working Party on Fisheries Economics & Statistics of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
- Working Party on Artificial Reefs & Mariculture of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
- Working Party on Fisheries Statistics of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)
- Ad-Hoc Working Party on Fishery Economic Development in South-West Atlantic of the Regional Fisheries Advisory  Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)
- Working Party on Biological Research & Evaluation of Fisheries Resources of the Regional Fisheries Advisory    Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)
- ACMRR/CARPAS Joint Working Party on Scientific Evaluation of State of Stocks in Southwest Atlantic
- Commission for Management of Indian Ocean Tuna of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC)
- Working Party on Assessment of Marine Fishery Resources of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery  Commission (WECAF)
- Working Party on Fishery Economics & Planning of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAF)
- Sub-Committee on Management of Resources within Limits of National Jurisdiction of the Fishery Committee for    Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)
- Sub-Committee on Fishery Development of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)
- Working Party on Resources Evaluation of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)
- Working Party on Fishery Statistics of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)
- ECA Working Party on Women and Agricultural Family in Rural Development
- Research Group on the Standing Technical Committee of the European Commission for the Control of    Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD)

 

ANNEX C

GLOBAL BODIES
Commissions and Committees
- Joint ECE(UN)/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of Quick Frozen Food
- Joint ECE(UN)/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of Fruit Juices
 
Experts Committees and Panels
- FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Integrated Pest Control
- Joint FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Nuclear Techniques in Soil Fertility, Irrigation and Crop Production Studies
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Radiation Preservation of Food
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Use of Isotope and Irradiation in Entomology and Related Fields
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Application of Mutations and Tracers in Modern Genetics for Plant Breeding
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Application of Nuclear Techniques in Animal Science
- FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Isotope-aided Studies of Agrochemicals and Residues
- FAO/Unesco/ILO Joint Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education, Science and Training
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition (FAO/WHO/NU)
- IMO/FAO/Unesco - IOC/WMO/WHO/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP) - Note as this is an inter-agency consultative body it is to be delisted as a statutory entity not discontinued.
- Working Group on Impacts of Coastal Aquaculture (GESAMP)
- Task Force on Integrated Coastal Area Development (GESAMP)
 
REGIONAL BODIES
 
Commissions and Committees
- Joint FAO/WHO/OAU Regional Food and Nutrition Commission for Africa (FAO/WHO/FNAC)
- Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Tech. Management & Training of the European Forestry Commission (EFC)
- Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics & Statistics of the European Forestry Commission (EFC)
- FAO/ECE Working Party on Economics of the Agri-Food Sector & Farm Management (ECA)
- FAO/ECE Working Party on Relations Between Agriculture & Environment (ECA)
- FAO/ECE/CES Study Group on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Europe

 

ANNEX D

- Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate
- Codex Committee on Sugars
- Codex Committee on Processed Fruit and Vegetables
- Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene
- Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products
- Codex Committee on Edible Ices
- Codex Committee on Soups and Broths
- Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes
- Codex Committee on Vegetables Proteins

Other Matters Arising out of the Report 19

39. The Council noted that the Committees had considered a concluding report with respect to the Management Review to determine the appropriate staffing levels and staffing structure of the Organization, following on earlier progress reports received at previous sessions.

40. The Council welcomed the fact that two important actions had been completed and reported upon in this last report, i.e.:

41. The Council appreciated that these two reviews had drawn on external advice. It noted that the implementation of the results of the review of the AF Department was still under way, pending policy decisions on some organizational aspects, which would include completion of the relevant organigrammes.

42. In connection with the second review, the Council concurred particularly with the recommendation of the Committees to recognize the importance of sound human resource development policies in the Organization, including aspects such as staff development and career management.

REPORT OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
(ROME, SEPTEMBER 1997)
20

43. The Council noted that besides consideration of the Programme of Work and Budget for 1998-99, the Programme Committee had discussed proposals aimed at revising the approach to the programme budget process, including formulation of a long-term Strategic Framework and consequently modified Medium-Term Plan and Programme of Work and Budget. It welcomed these proposals and endorsed the related conclusions of the Programme Committee.

44. The Council agreed that flexibility would be required in the implementation of the proposed changes. It recognized the importance of thorough preparation of the Strategic Framework, and of having an intense process for its formulation and development involving all stakeholders.

45. The Council also recognized that the full-scale application of the revised process required formal action to amend the pertinent sections in the Basic Texts of the Organization. Immediate action was on the agenda of the Twenty-ninth Session of the Conference for the abolition of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees in Conference years and of the Outline Programme of Work and Budget, based on the advice of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) (under Conference Agenda Item 12). More comprehensive formal action would need to await progress in the transition phase.

46. The Council took note that the Programme Committee had also recommended a number of topics for possible coverage in the next Programme Evaluation Report and had addressed several Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) reports.

REPORT OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
(ROME, SEPTEMBER 1997)

47. The Council reviewed the report of the last session of the Finance Committee. It considered portions of the report concerning the Financial Position of the Organisation, the Scale of Assessments 1998-99, the Incentive Scheme to Encourage Prompt Payment of Contributions, the Appointment of the External Auditor, the Harmonisation of Support Costs for TCP and SPFS and Other Matters Arising Out of the Report.

Financial Position of the Organization 21

48. The Council noted the financial position of the Organisation and urged contributors to make the maximum efforts possible to pay their 1997 contributions and thereby avoid the need for the Organisation to resort to borrowing.

Update on the UN Scale of Assessment re. Scale of FAO Contributions 1998-99 22

49. One member requested that the contributions due to FAO in 1998-99 from Member Nations should reflect changes in the UN Scale of Assessments as may be agreed by the 52nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). However, the majority of members expressed their preference to continue with the past arrangements whereby the FAO Scale of Contributions had been derived from the UN Scale of Assessments in force during the Conference year. The Council therefore decided to submit the matter to the Conference for decision.

Incentive Scheme to Encourage Prompt Payment of Contributions 23

50. Members were unable to agree on the proposal of the Director-General, endorsed by the Finance Committee to refine the basis of the calculation of the discount to be applied for the prompt payment of contributions. The Council therefore decided to submit the matter for the Conference's decision.

Appointment of the External Auditor 24

51. The Council approved the appointment of the Cour des Comptes of France as External Auditor for the four-year period, commencing with the audit of the 1998-99 biennium and adopted the following Resolution:

Resolution 2/113

Appointment of the External Auditor

THE COUNCIL,

Noting that the Finance Committee recommends the appointment of the Cour des Comptes of France as External Auditor of the Organization,

Recognizing the need and importance of the function of the External Auditor to review and certify the accounts of the Organisation:

Decides to appoint the Cour des Comptes of France as External Auditor of the Organization for a period of four years, commencing with the year 1998.

Rome, 6 November 1997

52. The Council endorsed the conclusions concerning future arrangements for external audit matters in paragraph 47 of the report, and expressed the hope that the Cour des Comptes would reduce its audit fees and related costs, as urged by the Finance Commitee in paragraph 46(b) of the report.

Harmonization of Support Costs for TCP and SPFS (Special Programme for Food Security) 25

53. The Council reviewed the recommendation of the Eighty-eighth Session of the Finance Committee contained in document CL 113/4 for the harmonization of support cost charges to Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) and Regular Programme-funded SPFS, projects which had emanated from the recommendations of the External Auditor, and agreed that:

  1. Direct Operating Costs
  1. Technical Support Services

Other Matters Arising Out of the Report 26

54. The Council deferred its consideration of the Reformulation of Financial Regulation 6.9 and 7.1 contained in paragraph 39 of the report, noting that changes to the Financial Regulations would be dealt with under another agenda item.

55. The Council expressed its disagreement with the suggestion concerning the Working Methods of the Finance Committee contained in paragraphs 65 and 66 of the report to the effect that members of the Finance Committee should be elected for a four-year term.

_________________________________

1 CL 113/1; CL 113/INF/1; CL 113/INF/11; CL 113/PV/1; CL 113/PV/5.

2 CL 113/INF/9; CL 113/PV/1; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

3 C 97/12; CL 113/PV/1; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/3; CL 113/PV/5.

4 CL 113/6; CL 113/6-Corr.1; CL 113/PV/1; CL 113/PV/5.

5 The Principles and the Catalogue of Transactions are embodied in the CSSD Handbook entitled FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal and Consultative Obligations of Member Nations (last updated in 1992).

6 Excluding transactions involving small quantities of seed and planting material supplied to developing countries.

7 See list of twenty types of transactions in international agricultural trade paragraph 132 of the Report of the Forty-Fourth Session of the Committee on  Commodity Problems, CL 53/4 (CCP 69/28) 15 October 1969.

8 Donors should note that the categories 11, 12 & 13 are considered tied sales transactions and are subject to Article 10(4)(a) of the WTO Agreement on  Agriculture which states : "Member donors of international food aid shall ensure: (a) that the provision of international food aid is not tied directly or indirectly to  commercial exports of agricultural products to recipient countries;"

9 Excluding the World Food Programme which is covered under category 6.

10 The delegate of India reserved his Government's position on the inclusion of this item.

11 The delegate of India reserved his Government's position on the inclusion of this item.

12 C 97/6; C/97/6-Sup.1; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

13 C 97/18; C 97/18-Sup.1; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

14 C 97/19; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

15 C 97/3; C 97/3-Sup.1; C 97/3-Corr. 1-Rev. 1; C 97/3-Sup.2; C 97/3-Sup. 2-Rev. 1 (Arabic only); CL 113/2 paras 5-6; CL 113/3 paras 5-50; CL 113/4 paras 4-15; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/5.

16 CL 113/2; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/5.

17 CL 113/2 paras 17-19; CL 113/3 paras 54-58; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/5.

18 CL 113/2 paras 26-31; CL 113/2-Sup.1; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/5.

19 CL 113/2; CL 113/PV/2; CL 113/PV/5.

20 CL 113/3; CL 113/PV/3; CL 113/PV/5.

21 CL 113/4 paras 23-26; CL 113/LIM/1; CL 113/PV/4; CL 13/PV/5.

22 CL 113/4 paras 54-57; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

23 CL 113/4 paras 27-28 and Annex; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

24 CL 113/4 paras 43-49; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

25 CL 113/4 paras 51-53; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.

26 CL 113/4; CL 113/PV/4; CL 113/PV/5.


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