6. In the late 1990s FAO was called upon by its Members to compile information on fishery subsidies at the global level. The FAO Subcommitte on Fish Trade[1] did so in 1998 and the FAO Council in 1999 when it adopted the International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity[2] (IPOA-Capacity). The stated purpose for the information dissemination about subsidies was to provide a basis for further analysis aimed at understanding the role of subsidies in relation to trade in fish and fish products and to fishery resources sustainability.
7. In preparation for the Expert Consultation, FAO assembled information on subsidies and their effects. Four desk studies were commissioned. The experts received these desk studies[3] for review prior to arriving in Rome. FAO also wrote to Members soliciting copies of documents relevant to the meeting. The documents[4] received in reply to this request were made available to the participants upon arrival in Rome. In Rome they also received copies of five recent, major reports on subsidies and fisheries. The documents made available to the experts are listed in Appendix C.
