CCP: ME/HS 03/1  |
| CCP: ME/HS 03/1 |
COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY PROBLEMS |
INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP ON MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS |
SUB-GROUP ON HIDES AND SKINS |
Eighth Session |
Rome, 18-19 December 2003 |
PROVISIONAL AGENDA |
I. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
II. ECONOMIC, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND POLICY ISSUES
III. OTHER MATTERS
The Eighth Session of the Sub-Group on Hides and Skins will open at FAO Headquarters on 18 December 2003, preceded by a one-day Consultation on Hides and Skins. The
Sub-Group will, for a second time, not follow its customary pattern of meeting in the same week as the Intergovernmental Group on Meat. The IGG on Meat (now the IGG on Meat and Dairy Products) instead met in mid-2002 jointly with 48th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology. This event was only one year after the last Session of this Sub-Group, which normally meets every two years and, as hides and skins would not fit well in that agenda with meat science and technology, the Eighth Session of the Sub-Group will be held separately.
The Sub-Group has normally elected a Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons. At its Seventh Session the Sub-Group elected Mr P. Hellemaa (Finland) as Chairperson and only one Vice-Chairperson, Mr N. De Luna (Philippines).
The Sub-Group will consider the provisional agenda (CCP: ME/HS 03/1) for adoption.
The Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), at its 62nd Session, decided that, “on a trial basis and for selected IGGs to be determined in consultation with their chairpersons, the final report of the session recording recommendations and major conclusions will be prepared by the Secretariat or a rapporteur and despatched to participants within two weeks.” The report of the Seventh Session of the Sub-Group on Hides and Skins was prepared by the Secretariat after the Session concluded, and was sent to each delegation with a request that the Secretariat be advised of any omission or error. The report was subsequently considered adopted on the advice of the Chairman.
Following consultations with the Bureau, it is planned that this procedure be adopted again for this session. The Secretariat would draft a record of the major conclusions of the session on the basis of the Chairperson’s concluding comments for each item discussed. The draft report would be considered by the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons prior to despatch to participants.
The Session could, however, convene to adopt its report if required.
As part of its work to assess the impact of policies on trade in hides and skins, the Sub-Group at its Seventh Session considered an analysis of the linkages among restrictions on the trade of hides and skins and leather; sanitary regulations, and voluntary measures, such as ecolabelling; and environmental issues. The Sub-Group recommended that further analysis be undertaken, which should incorporate empirical data into the conceptual framework so as to produce results of direct relevance to the hides, skins and leather sector. Accordingly, the Secretariat will circulate a document (CCP: ME/HS 03/2) reporting further work on this topic. Delegates are invited to present statements analyzing the effects of such policies in their respective countries to assist the Sub-Group in understanding the nature and effects of these policies.
The Sub-Group developed a strategy for the development of the sector at its Fourth Session in 1994, and it re-considered this strategy at its Seventh Session in 2001. It noted that the so-called strategy might more accurately be described as a list of items for attention rather than as a strategic plan. It requested the Secretariat to develop the list into a strategic plan, incorporating realistic goals. The Secretariat will prepare a document, (CCP: ME/HS 03/3) to assist the
Sub-Group adopt an appropriate strategy.
The Sub-Group on Hides and Skins is a designated International Commodity Body (ICB) under the rules of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and in this role it has promoted projects on hides and skins. The Secretariat will circulate a note (CCP: ME/HS 03/4) which provides details on project activities supported by the CFC.
The Sub-Group may wish to review any additional project profiles submitted for its consideration. Such proposals should reach the Secretary as soon as possible but not later than
30 October 2003.
An oral report will be provided of the above Consultation to be held on Wednesday,
17 December, immediately prior to the Session.
Wednesday, 17 December 2003
- 10.00 hours: Consultation on Hides and Skins
a. current and future prospects for hides and skins”
b. 'BLUEPRINT' on requirements for African exporters -
follow up on “Meet in Africa” held in Tunis,
6-13 October 2002
Thursday, 18 December
- 10.00 hours: Opening of the 8th Session of the Sub-Group on Hides and Skins
Friday, 19 December
Field trip to tanneries and shoe factories near Florence
- 16.30 hours: Agenda item III C if required