The high standard of the debates and discussions, the realistic and dynamic approach to the problems confronting FAO, and the spirit of international solidarity in attacking these problems - these were the characteristics of the Ninth Session of the Conference of FAO which was held at Rome from 2 to 22 November 1957.
More than 550 delegates and observers attended the session including 25 Ministers or Secretaries of State. Forestry interests were well represented and the list of delegates who participated in the discussions of the Conference's technical committee on forestry is given at the end of this report.
The Conference voted a working budget of $17 million for the two years 1958 and 1959, a considerable advance over the funds that the Organization has hitherto had for its regular program of work, and representing a remarkable display of confidence in the Director-General, Mr. B. R. Sen. As he expressed it, the extra funds approved injected a new vitality into the affairs of FAO.
"Despite the uncertainties and failings all around us, our world today is one of undreamt hope and challenge, if only we can husband and develop the natural and human resources properly, taking the fullest advantage of the technological advances in different fields. Toward meeting this challenge, our Organization must contribute its best."
Three additional countries were admitted to the Organization, Ghana, Malaya and Poland, bringing the total membership of FAO to 77 countries. A firm strengthening of the regional structure of FAO was approved, and the creation of a new Regional Office for Africa was agreed.
World food and agriculture situations
The Conference had before it the Director-General's report on the State of Food and Agriculture - 1957, together with his supplementary review of recent developments and a review of the current commodities situation. It endorsed the general analysis of the current situation and outlook as presented in these documents.
Planning for the three rural industries - farming, forestry and fisheries - could be effective only when done as part of a general economic development program which gave adequate attention to the balance between urban and rural industries, and between each of the three in the latter group. Farming, forestry and fisheries had technical interrelations, partly competitive, as in demands for the use of land, water, capital and, sometimes, manpower, and partly complementary as in conservation aspects, in use of rural manpower, in combined resource developments, or in mixed individual farm/forestry enterprises. The Conference felt that these interrelationships must be given full weight in agricultural planning.
The Conference stressed that national programs of forest development which did not take into account the intentions and interests of other countries might lead to a serious waste of the country's own resources, while also hampering the growth of international trade and over-all economic development. Many countries maintained that the move away from international or regional specialization and division of labor towards greater national self-sufficiency was a major cause of present difficulties in world markets for some products. While it was recognized that a country's production should be based on its comparative advantage in soils, climate and other factors, it was pointed out that this was a static conception which did not take account of changing levels of efficiency and of the need for expansion in existing and new lines of production. Furthermore, reasons of national security, balance of payments and other difficulties, and the need to sustain a healthy and increasingly diversified domestic agriculture often dictated a greater measure of self-sufficiency than was warranted by purely economic considerations.
Many countries emphasized the inadequacy of the capital available for investment in forest development. This applied both to government funds for investment and to the supply of credit to individual forest owners to enable them to improve their efficiency. It was recognized that all countries must accumulate capital for development from their own limited resources, even if at times this meant temporary reductions in consumption. Many countries stressed, however, that a larger supply of international funds was needed for investment in forestry, and some considered that FAO should take positive action in this matter. In addition, current public budgets for agricultural ministries and other government services to farming, forestry and fisheries were unduly low in many underdeveloped countries, and needed to be materially increased if public services to rural industries were to be consistent with the importance of these industries to employment, national income and economic development.
The Conference stressed the need to pay greater attention to the human and social factors involved, both in planning and in introducing improved techniques and measures of economic assistance. It was not sufficient to provide the farmer or forest owner with merely the physical means of increasing his production. Social measures were also necessary to improve rural conditions. More rapid improvement would be possible if the enthusiasm and help of rural populations themselves could be more widely enlisted in over-all programs of community development. In some countries, this had been effective in imparting a new impetus to rural development.
An important factor in agricultural and forest productivity was the establishment of sound patterns of land use. Improved knowledge of the capacities of the natural resources was, therefore, important for working towards optimum patterns of land use. In some countries, existing patterns had their roots in historical conditions which had, for instance, resulted in the more fertile areas and those more suitable for cultivation being used on an extensive basis, largely for livestock raising, while arable farming was confined to forested areas and the areas with the least favorable topography and carried out under conditions of heavy pressure of population on land, with holdings of uneconomic size.
Resource conservation also required major land use adjustments, such as the withdrawal of marginal land from arable farming to grazing or afforestation. Potentially productive forest lands in many areas were rapidly deteriorating as a result of uncontrolled grazing or of burning under shifting cultivation practices.
The Conference considered that careful studies were needed in the whole field of productivity and on agrarian reform in relation to productivity.
It was noted that excessive fragmentation of producing and processing units raised specific marketing problems in the field of forestry. These could be met by the adoption of appropriate handling techniques and co-operative organization.
Activities and programs of FAO
The Conference reviewed FAO's work in forestry since 1955 by means of a technical committee under the chairmanship of Richard E. McArdle, Chief of the United States Forest Service, and with P. Martinez Hermosilla, Director-General of the Spanish Forest Service, as Vice-Chairman. It considered that FAO's objectives and work had become more widely known and understood at all levels in member countries. This helped to give impetus to national efforts towards forestry development.
The Conference felt that the Director-General was to be specially commended for the emphasis placed on the many sided interrelationships between forestry and agriculture, and for his insistence on the ways in which forestry could contribute to the well-being and incomes of rural populations and forest workers.
One development which had specially proved its merit over the past years was the organizational machinery represented by the Regional Forestry Commissions and other subsidiary bodies. The Conference asked the Director-General to take into account the views of these Commissions when preparing future programs of work and budgets of the Organization.
The Conference commended the organizing of the World Eucalyptus Conference in 1956 and expressed the hope that another conference along the same lines might take place. It was glad to note the work proposed on tropical pines and strongly supported holding a study tour on Mexican pines. The part played by the International Poplar Commission in developing new sources of raw materials and protective services to agriculture, was appreciated. The work of this Commission, as well as that of the International Chestnut Commission, should be continued.
The Conference was glad to note the progress made in the case of the Latin-American Forest Research and Training Institute in Venezuela, and with the Regional Forest Research Center and Forest Rangers' School for the Near East in Syria. The organization of the Training Center on Watershed Management in India in 1957 was pointed up as an example where a regional project could afford training to better advantage than a national project.
In discussion on FAO's phased program of timber trends studies for the various regions of the world, the Conference agreed that the closeness of the regional forecasts of requirements and consumptions in the European study to the data now available on the actual course of events, furnished supporting grounds for continuing these analytical studies.
The Conference hoped that the Director-General would take appropriate steps for co-ordinating the forestry statistics of FAO with those compiled by countries of the British Commonwealth.
In general, the Conference commended the quality and amount of FAO's achievement in the forestry field, especially in view of the smallness of the funds available.
Program of work, 1958/59
The Conference adjudged the Director-General's whole proposed program of work in forestry for 1958 and 1959 which will absorb 14.3 percent of the technical funds and 8.5 percent of the whole FAO budget, to be well proportioned and balanced between the various technical and also regional claims. The Conference commended the pruning of projects undertaken in 1956 with a resultant concentration of effort.
The Director-General's interim report on Mediterranean Forestry Programs in Relation to Agricultural Rehabilitation and Economic Development and his proposals related to this project were the subject of discussions in which representatives of many member countries took part. Suggestions were made regarding aspects to be stressed more fully. These included a number of technical problems requiring further study, in particular costs of establishment and maintenance of new forests, selection of species, choice of proper tools and equipment and techniques in general, which were regarded as being matters of importance. The delegates also stressed the desirability of establishing and implementing specific projects. The Conference was assured that the technical comments made in the discussion would be fully considered in any further work to be undertaken.
With regard to other major expansions proposed by the Director-General in his program of work, the Conference regarded as of the highest priority the strengthening of the regional staff structure to support FAO's forestry activities in the field under the technical assistance program and to service the regional forestry commission and their subsidiary bodies. It noted that the regional approach has always been basic to FAO's work in forestry; it should be continued and strengthened. Extension to Africa should be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Conference regarded the holding of a conference of pulp and paper experts in the Asia and Far East region, as proposed by the Director-General, as indispensable to promoting such industries and forestry development in general in that region. This had been already acknowledged by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission and by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
On the subject of documentation, the Conference rated the publications of FAO in the forestry field as of high importance. Consequently, it was strongly felt that ways and means must be found to reduce the present backlog of publications and to prevent such accumulations in the future.
The Conference reviewed the work of FAO in the field of watershed management, commended the results already obtained and accorded high priority to continued collaboration between the Agriculture Division and the Forestry Division concerning this and also the subject of shifting cultivation, which constitutes a major problem in catchment area protection. It endorsed, in particular, the following projects:
a) Organization of a study tour in the U.S.A. for the study of what has been accomplished in that country and of the research work being carried out. Member countries should include requests for Fellowships for this study tour in their 1959 programs of Technical Assistance.b) Reinforcement of the co-operation between agriculturists and foresters in Europe and the Far East through the organization of joint meetings of regional FAO bodies interested in watershed management and over-all land-use planning. It was indicated that there is a need, in particular, for an improved definition of the scope of the work of those bodies and of their interrelations.
c) Organization of regional centers on watershed management, utilizing the opportunities afforded by the Technical Assistance Program.
d) Preparation of a technical manual on watershed management, giving due recognition to the different problems faced under widely varying physical and economic conditions.
The Conference urged again that special attention be given to co-ordination of watershed management work between national authorities and technicians where the catchment area is shared by two or more countries.
Program trends
While agreeing that the Organization's present main lines of activity in forestry should be maintained, the Conference suggested for the future some shift of emphasis toward projects which have as goals increased forest production at reduced costs and improvement of the living standards of rural populations. The latter objective can be attained only through steady efforts to teach people how to make the best use of the natural resources on which they must depend. FAO can contribute through wider promotion of forest extension services and increased participation in community development movements.
More emphasis should also be laid in future programs on activities leading to a wider application in member countries of modern silvicultural practices, for instance, in the tropical regions now being developed. Attention should be focused also on the origin and quality of forest seeds and a comparative analysis be made of the pertinent legislation on this matter in various countries and of the results so far obtained.
The Conference recognized that wood is meeting increasing competition from alternative materials. Action should everywhere be promoted to reduce costs, improve utilization, create better marketing organizations. The efforts of FAO in these directions should be expanded.
Fifth World Forestry Congress
The Conference recorded its gratitude to the Government of the United States of America for having assumed the responsibility of organizing the Fifth World Forestry Congress to be held at Seattle (Washington) from 29 August to 16 September, 1960. It was also pleased to hear that the Government of Canada would be glad to arrange field trips to British Columbia either prior to the opening of the Congress or after its conclusion, if requested.
A number of useful suggestions were made by delegates in regard to the organization and program of the Congress for the consideration of the Organizing Committee to be set up by the Government of the United States of America.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Members of the Technical Committee on Forestry were:
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AFGHANISTAN: |
X. Abdullah, Plant Protection Laboratory, Kabul |
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AUSTRALIA: |
K. Cook, Australian Legation, Rome |
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AUSTRIA: |
O. Eckmüllner, Director of Forestry, Styria |
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BURMA: |
U Aung Baw, Conservator of Forests |
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CANADA: |
A. L. Best, Chief, Forest Economics Section, Federal Forestry Branch |
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DENMARK: |
N. B. Ulrich, Chief, of Forest Service |
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FRANCE: |
J. de Vaissière, Inspecteur général des eaux et forêts |
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FINLAND: |
E. Saari, Professor of Forest Economics, University Forestry Department, Helsinki |
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GERM ANY: |
K. H. Oedekoven, Landforstmeister Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten, Bonn |
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GHANA: |
A. Foggie, Chief Conservator of Forests |
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HAITI: |
R. Ambroise, Directeur, Service de conservation du sol et des forêts |
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HONDURAS: |
R. Torres Fiallos, Director, General de Recursos Naturales |
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INDONESIA: |
Soesilo Hardjo Prakoso, Head of Directorate of Forestry and Land-Use Planning, Djakarta |
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IRAN: |
N. Golesorkhi, Technical Adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture |
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IRAQ: |
H. Kittani, Acting Director-General, Directorate General of Forestry |
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ISRAEL: |
A. Y. Goor, Director of Forests |
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ITALY: |
A. M. Camaiti, Direttore Generale per l'Economia Montana e per le Foreste |
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MOROCCO: |
Ch. Grimaldi d'Esdra, Inspecteur général des eaux et forêts |
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NETHERLANDS: |
J. H. Pott, Directorate International Organizations, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
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NORWAY: |
A. Löchen, Secretary-General, National FAO Council |
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PHILIPPINES: |
Eugenio de la Cruz, Director, Forest Products Research Institute, Laguna |
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PORTUGAL: |
F. J. Mendes Frazão, Directeur général des services forestiers |
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SPAIN: |
P. Martinez Hermosilla, Director General de Montes |
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SUDAN: |
K. Hamad, Acting-Director, Forest Department |
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SWEDEN: |
F.L.H. Johansson, Director-in-chief Royal Board of Private Forestry |
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SWITZERLAND: |
J. Keller, Inspecteur fédéral des forêts |
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TUNISIA: |
M. Badra, Chef du service des forêts |
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UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA: |
A. J. Du Plessis, Principal Technical Officer, Department of Agriculture |
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UNITED KINGDOM: |
Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, Deputy Director-General, Forestry Commission |
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UNITED STATES: |
R. E. McArdle, Chief, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture |
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VIET-NAM: |
Lam-van-Thanh, Directeur des eaux et forêts, Saigon |
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YUGOSLAVIA: |
D. Klepac, Professeur a l'Université de Zagreb |
Observers were also present from Unesco (P. C. Terenzio, Director-General's Office) and IUFRO (A. Pavari Director, Forest Experiment Station. Florence).
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ZON BIOGRAPHY Mr. E. N. Munns, Chairman of the Society of American Foresters Committee on Forest History, is collecting material on which to base a biography of the late Dr. Raphael Zon. It would be greatly appreciated, therefore, if copies of any material concerning Zon and his activities, including correspondence, could be sent to Mr. Munns at 1639 Garnet Lane, Concord, California, U.S.A. |
