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d) Programme Objective 2.4: War on Waste

176. Programme 2.4.1, Conservation of Environment and Natural Resources, was of mayor concern to the Conference. Concern wee expressed about the feasibility of carrying out such a programme with the resources proposed. It was also stressed that environmental protection should not dominate decisions at the expense of the economic growth of developing countries.

177. Considering the basic importance of 2.4.1.1, Soil and Water Conservation and 2.4.1.3, Forest and Wildlife Conservation, the Conference requested high priority to be given to these sub-programmes. It stressed the need for increased activities in the field of watershed management and wind erosion control. The Conference was informed that these matters would be covered by the Sub-Programmes mentioned above. It was informed that there would be a seminar on sand dune fixation in Sub-Programme 2.4.1.3, Forest and Wildlife Conservation. Further attention was also called to the need for stabilizing lands under shifting cultivation, and cooperation was offered by the Delegation of India for a workshop on this problem.

178. In the field of environmental protection, the Conference recognized the importance of using household waste after processing by compostage, as organic fertilizers and recommended to FAO to promote the necessary research and experiment to determine the proper method of processing and use.

179. The Conference emphasized the importance of Sub-Programme 2.4.1.2, Exploration, Evaluation and Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources, in view of the risk of disappearance of useful genetic stocks for further breeding work.

180. The Conference stressed the importance of insuring better protection of forests against fire, and was informed that this problem would be given increased attention, from an ecological point of view, under Sub-Programme 2.4.1.3, Forest and Wildlife Conservation.

181. At the Twenty-Third General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture, held recently in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), a proposal was approved for the establishment of a World Forestry Day, for which the cooperation of all concerned international organizations was requested. This proposal was intended to publicize in the entire world the very significant role which forests play for humanity through their direct and indirect beneficial effects. It was felt that such an event would also make an important contribution toward solving the problems of conservation of natural resources. The Conference recommended that FAO should support the establishment of a World Forestry Day, and cooperate in an appropriate manner to this end with Member Nations.

182. The Conference gave general support to Sub-Programmes 2.4.1.4, Improvement of the Aquatic Environment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, and 2.4.1.5 Management of Fishery Resources. The need to avoid duplication of efforts was stressed. The Conference took note of the United Nations inter-agency coordination being effected through the ACC Sub-Committee on Marine Science and its Application, and through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP). Some delegates felt that the establishment of marine national parks should be given a lower priority, although their importance for tourism and as reserves for wild aquatic resources was underlined.

183. Recognizing the increasing problems of hazards and waste resulting from food contamination and in view of the need for further acceleration in the tempo of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Conference considered it important that consideration be given, within available resources, to strengthening Sub-Programme 2.4.1.6, Food Additives and Food Control. It was felt that FAO should give increased assistance to the developing countries in the drafting of suitable food legislation, and the creation of necessary infrastructures for food control, not only for consumer protection but also in the interest of facilitating international trade.

184. The Conference considered that the control of livestock diseases was fundamental to all programmes. aimed at improving the productivity of meat and milk animals and considered that more emphasis should be placed on disease eradication. It was hoped that more funds would be forthcoming from extrabudgetary sources for Sub-Programme 2.4.2.4, Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases and Pests. The regional aspects of disease control were stressed, particularly with regard to the prevention and control of epizootics, and it was urged that research on all aspects of disease control should be supported and promoted.

185. With regard to Sub Programme 2.4.2.2, Control of Pests and Diseases in Growing Crops, the Conference noted that the recommendations of its Fourteenth and Fifteenth Sessions pertaining to the transfer of Headquarters' desert locust staff from the inter-regional UNDP project to the Regular Programme would be partly implemented in the Programme of Work and Budget for 1972-73. The Conference suggested that in future biennia the remaining elements in locust control should be transferred to the Regular Programme in order to place the work on a permanent basis. The Conference also noted that the recommendation of its Fifteenth Session regarding the establishment of a Headquarters' post, to deal with the resistance of agricultural pests to pesticides and integrated pest control, had been implemented. The Conference regretted, however, that the post on weed control had been abolished in spite of the increasing importance of weed control in agricultural improvement, and requested that it be re-established, if at all possible.

186. In view of the ever-increasing importance of plant quarantine, the Conference recommended that the relevant Sub-Programme 2.4.2.1, Plant Quarantine, should be strengthened and adequately staffed, including a senior supervisory officer, if at all possible.

187. The Conference reiterated the recommendation of its Fifteenth Session that the provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention, dealing with the motel phytosanitary certificate, be re-examined. It noted that an expert consultation of representatives of regional plant protection organizations was programmed for 1972-73, but since regional organizations were advisory bodies without legislative and regulatory power, it recommended instead that an ad hoc consultation, with invitations extended to all Member Nations, should be organized as soon as possible in the forthcoming biennium, and that funds be sought for such a consultation. The Conference appreciated the offer made by the Government of Canada to make available again the services of an expert for a short term to assist FAO in this connexion.

188. The Conference emphasized the importance of the work on agricultural pesticides and integrated pest-control. Increased attention should also be given to the problems of pesticide residues in food and their effects on wildlife and on the environment in general.

189. The Conference considered that losses caused by rodents and grain-eating birds during both the pre-and post-harvest stages were particularly important in many developing countries, and recommended that field programmes. to reduce these losses, as well as losses caused by storage infestation, be expanded as much as possible with extra-budgetary funding.

190. The Conference attached great importance to the programme for reducing losses that occur during storage, distribution and utilization of agricultural products.

191. The Conference noted that the budgets for Sub-Programme 2.4.3.2, Timber Treatment, Storage and Distribution, had been reduced through shifts to other sub-programmes. Considering the losses occasioned by the under-utilization of tropical woods and during timber processing, there was some feeling that special attention nevertheless be given to this subject.

192. In view of their perishable nature, efficient preservation, distribution and marketing of fish and fish products were important. The Conference recommended increasing attention be paid to Sub-Programme 2.4.3.3, Distribution of Fish and Fish Products.

193. The importance of Sub-Programme 2.4.2.4, Milk and Dairy Products, was emphasized and the proposal for the establishment of a new Meat and Milk Service was approved.

194. Emphasis was placed on the elimination of waste at village and family level and in particular on the need for research in this field. The Conference noted that extra-budgetary funds were expected for the Sub-Programme 2.4.3.6, Management of Family Food Resources and Consumer Education.

195. The Conference recommended that special attention be given to Sub-Programme 2.4.3.5, Storage Structure, Equipment and Techniques. Special problems were being created by increased yields, and from multi-cropping when harvest came during a wet period. In view of foreign exchange problems, with special reference to the drying and storage of food crops, the programme for developing designs based on local materials for storage structures at farm and village level was commended.

e) Programme Objective 2.5. Earning and Saving of Foreign Exchange

196. The Conference recognized this as a field of work which was growing in scope and importance. Foreign exchange earned through agricultural exports or saved on agricultural imports remained indispensable to a large majority of developing countries as the principal means of financing capital and other imports essential to their development. Moreover, as basic production objectives of many developing countries, especially in the food area, were increasingly realized, the expansion of export outlets was becoming a major developmental goal in its own right, comparable to that of production expansion in previous decades. But this would give rise to new problems in international trade. Thus, export expansion and import substitution, progressively achieved by individual countries, tended to sharpen competition in world agricultural markets, which called for adjustment measures at the national and international levels.

197. It was stressed that, to succeed in enlarging their foreign exchange resources, governments of developing countries must increase not only the volume of exports of agricultural commodities, but also the unit values of these exports. The latter called for larger exports of non-traditional high-value goods, especially processed and semi-processed products. It was noted, therefore, that on the national plane, governments of the developing countries were seeking assistance from FAO in increasing their processing capacity, improving the quality and variety of their products, establishing more advanced stages of processing, diversifying their agricultural sectors, and identifying markets for their exportable products. At the international level, intergovernmental cooperation was needed to deal with the problems of surpluses and market instability, of trade barriers and protectionist policies, and of the growing threat to a number of agricultural products posed by competition from synthetics.

198. The Conference supported FAA's direct assistance to member countries not only in continuing factual studies, but also in taking more positive action in implementing sound national and regional programmes. and projects aimed at increasing their export potential or import substitution possibilities, and its work in the field of intergovernmental commodity consultation which required a continuing flow of information research and studies. These activities formed a vital part of current international efforts towards the achievement of the goals of the Second Development Decade which called for an annual expansion of over 7 percent in exports from the developing countries.

199. The growing interaction of FAA's field work and of its Regular Programme activities in this area of concentration was appreciated. In some sub-progresses, however, including those on processing, plant production and protection, forestry and fisheries, trade promotion and animal health and production, the ratio of field to Regular Programme activities was very high. Some concern was expressed at the small increases for some specific sub-programmes, e.g. 2.5.3.5, Processing of Food and Agricultural Products and Utilization of By-products 200.

200. The Conference approved and requested an intensification of FAA's close working relationships in all activities in this area of concentration with many international agencies, and notably with UNCTAD, GATT, the UNCTAD/GATT International Trade Centre, UNIDO, Unesco, WHO, in particular with reference to Codex Alimentarius, OECD, the autonomous commodity study groups and councils, with regional bodies such as Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan American Health Organization, and with specialized organizations such as the International Standards Organization, etc. There was also close cooperation with a large number of professional non-governmental bodies. It was also pointed out that FAO should make full use of studies prepared by other organizations in order to avoid duplication of effort and to save resources. Similarly, FAO made every effort to meet requests from other organizations, although this at times involved unprogrammed activities.

201. The Conference considered that FAO was making a particularly useful contribution to governments in Sub-Programme 2.5.1, Analysis of Commodity Markets and Development of Commodity Policies and Actions, both in the area of research and analysis-which provided the intelligence framework for a wide range of other FAO activities at Headquarters and the field-and in the area of commodity policies aiming at fostering sound conditions of production and trade. The latter objective was the end-purpose of much of this area of concentration, and it would increase in importance as FAA's work on adjustments gathered momentum. The Organization's main instruments in this work, apart from the Conference and Council, were the Committee on Commodity Problems, its eleven commodity study groups and various fishery and forestry committees and commissions. While many of these groups had been mainly concerned with the identification and analysis of problems, some of them hat sponsored informal trading arrangements and others were working on approaches to solutions of the problems of market stability and growth.

202. The Conference expressed some concern at the difficulties of setting up new commodity bodies, especially in the case of tobacco and pepper. The need for flexibility in scheduling sessions of existing bodies was stressed, with a view to releasing funds for the holding of meetings on other problem commodities. It was recognized, however, that flexibility wee being already exercised to the extent possible by the Director-General in consultation with the governments concerned. A number of commodity meetings had been postponed, while others were brought forward, reflecting the relative urgencies of the respective situations. The Conference felt that it was important to vary the frequency of commodity meetings in accordance with the situation of particular commodities and that the CCP should thoroughly evaluate the activities of its subsidiary bodies, with a view to discontinuing the subsidiary bodies, whose existence was no longer Justified. The importance of FAA's work on 2.5.1.3, Food Aid Principles, Policies and Consultations, particularly the activities of the Consultative Sub-Committee on Surplus Disposal, was also emphasized.

203. The Conference singled out FAA's activities in trade promotion 2.5.2.1, Commodity Trade Promotion, 2.5.2.2, Forest Products, Marketing and Trade Promotion, and 2.5.2.4, Fishery Products Marketing, as some of the most promising ways of assisting developing countries. Work in this field consisted of a wide range of activities including marketing improvements, quality control, end-use research and provision of an export-oriented content in FAA's field programmes. and projects. The Conference noted that close cooperation had been developed with the UNCTAD/GATT International Trade Centre, one notable example of which had been the Joint endeavours towards developing an institutional framework for expanding the export and use of tropical forest products which were of mayor interest to many developing countries.

204. The Conference laid stress on the significance of timber trend studies, and welcomed the proposal for a new study on timber trends in the Par East Region (2.5.1.5, Studies of Forestry Markets). It also welcomed the offer of the Government of Finland to provide facilities for a training centre in saw milling. It noted with satisfaction the useful results achieved at the consultation on housing sponsored by the Government of Canada and was informed that a meeting would shortly be held between representatives of the U.N. Housing Centre, UNIDO, FAO and the Government of Canada to draw up a follow-up programme.

205. Sub-Programme, 2.5.3.1, Industrial and Horticultural Crops, received support, although it was suggested that a set of priorities might be established in this work. Horticultural crops and tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables in particular offered development opportunities from the point of view of employment, nutrition and exports. Strengthening of work in this field wee suggested, especially through the organization of training courses and more assistance in the production of vegetables, tropical fruits and exotic flowers as an aspect of diversification. The Conference hoped that it would be possible to hold in the 1972-73 biennium the Third Session of the FAO Commission on Horticultural Production in the Near East and North Africa, and welcomed the offer of the Eghyptian Government to host this Session.

206. As regards industrial crops, the Conference drew attention to the need for keeping under review the question of competition between synthetics and natural products. It also hoped that FAA's work in the field of oilseeds court be intensifies. In this respect, the use of glandless cotton should be encouraged.

207. Particular attention was paid to the importance of assisting developing countries in promoting their forest industries with a view to the impact of processed forest products on the earning sat saving of foreign exchange.

208. Stress was given to the need of developing countries for assistance in fish processing technology (2.5.3.4, Fishery Industries), for example in furthering the use of powdered fish products for human consumption and in developing cooperative arrangements with industries in the developed countries aimed at the manufacture of fishing gear and equipment in developing countries. The importance of marketing of fish products was also stressed (2.5,1.6, Studies of Fishery Markets). The Conference, in noting the importance of interregional trade, urged that attention should also be paid to intra-regional trade in fish and fishery products, identifying the constraints on this trade and suggesting ways of overcoming them.

209. The Conference emphasized the importance of the meat hygiene and slaughterhouse development aspects of Sub-Programme 2.5.3.3, Animal Products. Attention was directed to the importance of livestock disease control and the establishment and recognition of disease-free zones in stimulating the export of animal products, especially meat and meat products.

f) Programme Objective 2.6: Agricultural Development Planning

210. The Conference noted that Programme Objective 2.6 was important. It further noted that this Programme Objective was concerned with all facets of economic and social development, and supported the Member Nations' and the Organization's efforts at agricultural development in general, by providing elements of a global framework for national planning and by helping countries and multinational groups to improve their plans and planning capacity.

211. The Conference noted that important planning activities were in addition carried out under some other programme objectives, particularly 2.2, Increasing Yields and 2.3, the Protein Problem.

212. In discussing the activities concerned with 2.6.1.1, General Agricultural Development Planning, the Conference stressed the importance of FAO planning experts assisting in the planning work of the countries where they serve, particularly to build institutions which strengthen the Member Nations' planning capacity. The Conference emphasized the importance of FAO training activities in improving the planning capacity of Member Nations, and it was suggested that the achievements and impact of these activities might be reviewed. The Conference noted the shift from bilingual international training courses in agricultural planning every two years to monolingual (alternately) courses held annually in different official languages of the Organization. It was recognized that this might lead to some loss in terms of the exchange of experience and ideas from different backgrounds, but this would be compensated for by the fact that it was thus possible to double the capacity of these courses without an increase in expenditure. By selecting participants and lecturers from a wide range of backgrounds it should be possible to maintain the breadth and stimulus of the courses. The Conference stressed the importance of coordinating carefully the work on concepts and techniques of planning under this sub-programme with that on administrative structures for planning under Sub-Programme 2.1.2.1, Organization of Agricultural and Rural Ministries, Departments and Related Institutions.

213. With regard to 2.6.1.2, Economic Intelligence, Outlook and Analytical Studies, it was suggested that the analytical studies proposed under this sub-programme should include an examination of costs of production of commodities in different countries, but it was cautioned that there were methodological difficulties involved. Also the study of the impact of national agricultural policies on other countries was considered important. The Conference welcomed the planned new work on crop insurance. The Conference stressed the importance of more attention to social aspects of development in the proposed situation and outlook work.

214. In discussing the work under 2.6.1.3, Agricultural Commodity Projections, some concern was expresses about what seemed to be conflicting advice on commodity production by FAO and other agencies such as IBRD. In the Director-General's view, however, it was a question of the difference between global studies of commodity prospects and the economic feasibility of individual countries to compete in the export market for a given commodity, even if globally there was a present or prospective, surplus situation. The Conference was informed that the Director-General would welcome requests through UNDP for assistance in formulating national commodity policies as a follow-up of its global commodity projections.

215. Regarding 2.6.1.4, Perspective Study of World Agricultural Development (PSWAD), a number of delegates considered that it was not the function of the PAB to get heavily involved in specific operational tasks. They felt that in the medium term the involvement of PAB in such work should be reduced so that it could concentrate on its originally intended advisory role. Disappointment was expressed about the limitation to South America of the perspective study, and it was hoped that in the course of further work it would be possible to include other countries.

216. In discussing 2.6.2.1, Project Appraisal and Evaluation, the Conference agreed that evaluation of ongoing or terminated projects ant country programmes was an important function, ant some delegates thought it would have to be strengthened in the future. The Conference stressed the need for an interdisciplinary approach, ant welcomed the assurance that such an approach wee in fact being followed. The plans to conduct methodological work on appraisal and evaluation were generally welcomed.

217. The Conference agreed that the work on 2.6.2.2, Basic Statistics, and 2.6.2.3, Statistics Development, as well as the related activities in forestry and fisheries under 2.6.2.4, Forestry Statistics, Analysis and Planning, and 2.6.2.5, Fishery Statistics, Analysis and Planning, made an essential contribution to improved national planning. In reply to an enquiry about the relative priorities amongst the large number of activities covered by 2.6.2.2, the Conference was informed that all the activities listed would not necessarily be carried out with the same degree of depth and country coverage. For example, work on compilation of economic accounts for agriculture would be largely concentrated on production accounts. It wee also explained that the proposed work on supply/utilization balances would be linked with the work on agricultural production accounts so as to cover both quantity and value aspects. In relation to 2.6.2.3, Statistics Development, it was explained that the decennial world census of agriculture, would remain a focal point of FAA's promotional efforts for development of agricultural statistics, and that the programme contemplated in 1972-73 would emphasize the links to be established between the census and current statistics so as to cover all the major aspects of agricultural statistics on a continuing basis. As regards the coordination of statistical work at Headquarters between the Economic and Social, Forestry and Fisheries Departments, the Conference was informed that well functioning interdepartmental machinery existed for the purpose, and the harmonization of concepts and working methods was already far advanced. With regard to coordination of statistical work between agencies of the UN family it was pointed out that appropriate machinery existed in the form of the ACC Sub-Committee on Statistics which included among its tasks the avoidance of duplication of requests of information from countries.

218. The Conference recognized that a basic requirement for much of the organization's work in the area of current reporting and analytical studies was the availability of up-to-date statistical and other information from Member Nations. The Conference welcomed the information that steps were being taken by the secretariat to ensure, with the cooperation of member governments and national FAO Committees, a more adequate and speedy flow of such information.

219. Several delegates notes with regret that it was proposed to discontinue the publication of Unasylva The Conference was informed that the possibility of continuing Unasylva was kept under consideration, and that there were hopes that means for this might be found, without additional expenditure for Member Nations. A number of delegates queried the contribution expected from FAO for the Seventh World Forestry Congress, and were informed that Funds-in-Trust arrangements had been made with the host government to cover FAO assistance in the organization of the Congress. FAO was bearing only the cost of its own technical participation.

220. Concerning assistance by FAO to existing non-FAO fisheries bodies, the Conference was informed that after initial help by FAO in the establishment phase, such bodies were expected to carry on their activities under their own budgets, although FAO continued to cooperate with them closely to promote complementarily of research and a common approach to statistics, and sometimes provided services on a reimbursable basis. The Conference noted that FAA's work through its own regional fishery bodies was important in ensuring the rational utilization of fishery resources, and would help to provide a basis for the future development and protection of marine resources.

g) Summary-Chapter 2

221. The Conference felt that in general the programme objectives in this chapter were properly balanced but recognized that this matter would need further review in the coming biennium. It wee informed that the comments and suggestions made by the delegates on the various sub-programmes would be taken into account by the Director-General in implementing this portion of the 1972-73 Programme of Work and Budget. On this understanding, the Conference approved the programme and budgetary proposals presented in this chapter.

Chapter 3 - Field Programmes and Development Support

222. The Conference noted that the new procedures of UNDP, the expansion of FAO/IBRD cooperative activities and the need for coordination of all field programmes regardless of financing source required a variety of structural changes in the Development Department, with the consequent budget implications reflected in the programme of Work and Budget 1972-73. For instance, the FFHC projects unit had been transferred to, and an Operations Centre created in the Area Service Division. Additional resources were allocated to the Investment Centre to service increased collaboration with the IBRD, the Area Banks and with other development finance institutions, notably IDB.

223. The Conference also noted that the FAO/Industry Cooperative Programme was wholly financed by Industry Members, and that the anticipated increase in budget requirements could be expected to receive favourable consideration at the next session of the General Committee of the Programme.

224. There was general support of the Conference for the measures undertaken or planned to gear the FAO development structure, at all levels, to meet FAA's increased responsibilities in the future. At the Headquarters level the Conference in particular emphasised the need for the Area Service Division which, in active and constant association with all parts of the Organization, especially the Technical and Economic Departments, would assist in programming, project formulation and monitoring, would coordinate all FAO field activities on a country basis, and with respect to these activities would liaise with regional and field representatives as well as the sponsoring organizations. Noting the importance of timely investment follow-up to FAA's pre-investment studies, the Conference recognized the need to expand the Work of the Investment Centre, with special attention to strengthening cooperation with the Area Banks.

225. With reference to the in-depth study previously noted in paragraph 136 above, the Conference desires such study should take account of arrangements in force, or under development, within the United Nations System, such as United Nations regionalization. It should also make recommendations on increasing effective relationships between the United Nations Regional Economic Commissions and the FAO Regional Offices, as well as on the role of the Joint Divisions of FAO now outposted in the Economic Commissions.

226. With regard to the resources of the Regional Offices, mentioned in paragraph 135 above, the Conference welcomed the Consultant Fund at the disposal of these Regional Offices as a measure for speedy and flexible involvement by FAO in activities at the field level.

227. The Conference approved the programme and budgetary proposals presented in this chapter.

Chapter 4 - Special Programmes

228. The Conference noted the transfer to the Area Service Division of that portion of the FFH Programme concerned with project operations, consisting of one professional and three General Service posts. It also noted that the 1972-73 programme would concentrate on activities in the areas of information, rural youth and in seeking support from national committees and non-governmental organizations for projects in various Areas of Concentration.

229. It also noted that the proposal for Programme 4.2, the Joint FAD/WHO Food Standards Programme, involved a continuation of the current programme with only a small increase provided for translation services.

230. With regard to Programme 4.3, it was noted that from 1972 André Mayer Fellowships would all be awarded for advanced research as originally intended and that the practice of awarding about half of them for training purposes would be discontinued. This would have the effect of upgrading the standard of the programme. The awards would be made with due regard to geographical representation which meant most of them would in fact continue to go to nationals of developing countries.

231. The Conference noted that 4.4, the Junior Professional Training Programme, would be continued as previously but that it was expected that at least half of the trainees would return to their countries of origin and that not more than half of them would be retained in the service of FAO. It also noted that trainee candidates could be accepted from all Member Nations but that it was expected that most of them would come from developing countries.

232. The Conference approve_ the programme and budgetary proposals presented in this chapter.

Chapter 5 - General Programme Services

a) Programme 5.2.1: Public Information and ''Ceres''
b) Programme 5.2.2: Development Support Communications
c) Programme Objectives 5.3 and 5.5: Documentation and Library
d) Programme Objective 5.4: Legislation
e) Programme Objective 5.6: Language Training
f) Programme Objective 5.7: Publications

a) Programme 5.2.1: Public Information and ''Ceres''

233. The Conference welcomed the general success of Ceres. In this connexion, a number of delegates expressed the view that Ceres was indeed providing a forum for discussion of international development problems At the same time, attention was drawn to its cost of production which should be lowered to the maximum extent possible compatible with its effectiveness. Noting the continued growth of the revenue obtained by Ceres from advertising and sales, and bearing in mind that it had never been envisaged that it would be entirely self-supporting, the Conference requested the Council and the Programme Committee to review this magazine in the context of the overall policy in regard to the publication of periodicals by FAO as well as in the light of the terms of reference for Ceres as defined by the Conference at its Thirteenth Session. The suggestion was made that the Director General should consider whether publishing Ceres quarterly instead of bi-monthly might not bring about a reduction in its net budgetary cost to the Regular Programme.

b) Programme 5.2.2: Development Support Communications

234. The Conference stressed the value of filmstrips and films in the field of agricultural information, for training purposes particularly those showing practical ways of improving agricultural production and in the motivation and involvement of local populations. The Conference recommended that where possible the opportunity should be taken to undertake co-productions of filmstrips and films in association with developing countries and thus enjoy the benefit of their contribution in the presentation of these audio-visual aids.

c) Programme Objectives 5.3 and 5.5: Documentation and Library

235. The Conference noted that these two programme objectives were complementary, and that these activities would be further integrated, during 1972-73, to meet a common objective: better dissemination and utilization of technical and scientific information, in agriculture and related fields, among Member Nations.

236. For this purpose, emphasis should be put on the development and implementation of information systems, through international cooperation in agricultural documentation. The main lines of activities would be an expansion of the services to the users of the Library and the Documentation Centre, an increased technical assistance programme for the establishment of national or regional agricultural documentation centres, and the development of international information networks and systems, such as CARIS (agricultural research information system), AGLINET (a network of Agricultural Libraries) and AGRIS (an international system for economic, scientific and technological information in agriculture).

237. As regards AGRIS the Conference indicated its interest and support for the establishment of such an international information system, subject to the necessary external contributions from participants in the system.

238. The Conference accordingly adopted the following resolution:

Resolution 4/71

International Information System for the

Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS)

THE CONFERENCE,

Having been informed of the results achieved by FAO and international experts in the study of AGRIS (Levels I and II),

Noting the recent developments in information transfer techniques, and the role they can play in all sectors of social and economic development and particularly in agriculture, nutrition and allied fields,

Having seen the interest shown by FAO Member Nations in the establishment of such an international information system,

Also noting the interest shown within the United Nations System for information transfer, recently evidenced by the Conference held in Unesco for the establishment of a Worldwide Information System for Science and Technology (UNISIST) to which AGRIS brings a positive contribution,

Desiring that the proposed system be worldwide and for this purpose be sponsored and coordinated by FAO so that it would benefit both the developing and developed countries,

1. Invites the Director-General to pursue his efforts for further development of AGRIS and, in particular, endeavour to:

2. Requests the Director-General to report on progress made to the next sessions of the FAO Council and Conference, and, in accordance with this progress, to include the AGRIS project and suitable financial provisions in FAA's next Programe of Work and Budget for 1974-75.

d) Programme Objective 5.4: Legislation

239. The Conference noted that a single Legal Office was established under the direction of the Legal Counsel, which included the Legislation Branch which was transferred from the Office of General Affairs and Information.

e) Programme Objective 5.6: Language Training

240. The Conference noted that under Programme Objective 5.6, the Language Training Programme, which had been favourably reviewed by the Finance Committee and the Council on the basis of the substantial development of this activity in the first two years of its operation, would be maintained at its present level during the coming biennium. Except for cost increases, including adjustments in the basis of remuneration of the teaching staff, there would be no expansion of available resources in 1972-73.

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