Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
ERC/04/REP
REPORT
Twenty-Fourth
FAO Regional Conference
for Europe
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REPORTTwenty-Fourth
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SUMMARY OF MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSONS AND APPOINTMENT OF RAPPORTEUR
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND TIMETABLE
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT AND WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: fyl
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY IN EUROPE
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH: ITS ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW OF THE STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE IN THE REGION:FOCUS ON RURAL POVERTY
REPORT ON FAO ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION, 2002-03
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RICE: 2004
PROGRAMME FOR BRIDGING THE RURAL DIGITAL DIVIDE TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY AND POVERTY
DATE, PLACE AND MAIN THEMES OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH FAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR EUROPE
APPENDICES
For the attention of Governments
The Conference underlined:
1. Regular monitoring of implementation of the goals of the World Food Summit (WFS) as an important part of the fight against hunger and malnutrition (para. 15 (a));
2. Agricultural development as an engine of economic growth and an essential component to reduce poverty and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (para. 15 (b));
3. The need to prioritize rural development and food security issues in national development strategies (para. 15 (d));
4. The importance of strengthening competitiveness of agriculture and non-agriculture sectors to raise rural incomes (para. 15(e));
5. Good governance, enhancing the capacity of governments and administrations, and the prevention of conflict as essential factors for achieving food security (para. 15(g));
6. The importance of land rights, land markets and an enabling environment for rural entrepreneurs, access to markets, credits, market information, advisory services and proper infrastructure (para. 15(i));
7. The importance of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as a tool to support the conservation of plant genetic resources and to encourage benefit sharing (para. 15(q)).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference underlined:
8. The importance of FAO’s work, both normative and operational in the European Region to support policy assistance and capacity building (para. 15(p));
9. The leading role of FAO in the Collaborative Partnerships on Forests and the support of the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of the Forests in Europe as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (para. 15(r)).
For the attention of Governments
The Conference:
10. Reaffirmed that food safety was a universal and non-negotiable right (para. 20(a));
11. Confirmed recommendations endorsed by the FAO/WHO Pan European Conference on Food Safety and Quality (Budapest, 2002) (para. 20(b));
12. Agreed that food quality was not limited to food safety, but included nutritional and added-value characteristics such as forms of production (oriented to environmental protection, animal welfare and biodiversity) and production areas (designation of origin) (para. 20(c));
13. Agreed that traditional products and designation of origin, carefully controlled, could help to sustain employment in rural areas and contribute to rural development in both developed and developing countries (para. 20(d));
14. Stressed that control systems and a risk analysis approach could help to improve food safety (para. 20(g)).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
15. Stressed the importance of FAO technical assistance in capacity building in food safety in order to comply with international food standards (para. 21);
16. Requested that FAO assistance should focus on the fundamental need to assess the food composition, including the content of traditional foods for achieving food quality and nutritional balance and avoiding nutrition caused diseases (obesity, overweight, malnutrition) (para. 24).
For the attention of Governments
The Conference:
17. Confirmed the emphasis on sustainable agriculture and rural development based on the needs of rural communities and their importance to society as a whole (para. 27(a));
18. Acknowledged the various roles of agriculture and the importance of a competitive farming sector (para. 27(b));
19. Recognized the need to broaden agricultural research to include rural development and research on impact assessment of the revised Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and to conduct more interdisciplinary research (para. 27(c));
20. Confirmed the importance of renewing the focus on agricultural and rural development in the development assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and hunger (para. 27(d));
21. Underlined the need for special attention to revitalize agricultural research and to increase relevant resources in the development assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and hunger (para. 27(e));
22. Recognized the role of the European research networks and urged the need to refocus them to promote multidisciplinary research supporting sustainable rural development throughout Europe (para. 27(f));
23. Noted that the new EU member countries could facilitate coordination of further collaboration of the EU with Balkan and CIS countries in research and technology (para. 30).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
24. Requested FAO to assist in monitoring the sustainability of European research networks and should facilitate CEE and CIS countries to establish linkages to international networks and access to international collaboration in agriculture research (para. 28);
25. Noted the need for further support to new EU member countries in restructuring research institutions and in establishing private research (para. 30).
For the attention of Governments
The Conference:
26. Urged Member Nations, who had not yet established a National Codex Committee, to make efforts to do so (para. 41);
27. Stressed that ensuring land tenure was important for the development of the agriculture and rural sectors (para. 42).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
28. Stressed that FAO activities in the European region were of paramount importance in assisting a number of countries to meet the challenges in agricultural and rural development (para. 37);
29. Expressed its satisfaction with the increased FAO collaboration with other international organizations as well as its cooperation with European NGOs, and requested this collaboration be further developed and strengthened (para. 38);
30. Urged FAO to strengthen its activities to implement the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (para. 39);
31. Underlined that the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD) was a valuable resource in assisting European countries in combating this serious transboundary disease (para. 40);
32. Welcomed the work of FAO in the area of land management and overall natural resource management (para. 42);
33. Emphasized the importance of policy assistance and institution capacity building and welcomed FAO’s work in this area (para. 43);
34. Welcomed the activities undertaken by FAO in the areas of fisheries and forestry (para. 44);
35. Endorsed the recommendations contained in the document to strengthen agricultural production by supporting non-farm income generation activities in the framework of integrated rural development, including grass-roots level development and policy assistance at local level (para. 45);
36. Welcomed the attention given to the new emerging issues such as organic farming, biotechnology and biosafety as well as assistance to transition countries in their efforts for EU integration (para. 45).
For the attention of Governments
The Conference noted that:
37. More attention would need to be given to vulnerable groups to prevent their exclusion (para. 52(a));
38. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was a powerful tool to be used for poverty reduction and to increase food security achieving the MDG, and to promote local democracy, transparency and accountability (para. 52(b));
39. ICT should be implemented with a high degree of partnership among the various stakeholders (para. 52(c).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
40. Stressed that FAO should focus its ITC efforts on areas with a comparative advantage and coordinate closely with other UN agencies within the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) (para. 52(e);
41. Urged that donors and international organizations, including FAO, should assist in bridging the digital divide by incorporating their activities into national e-strategies within national poverty reduction programmes (para. 54).
For the attention of Governments
The Conference:
42. Welcomed the renewed offer extended by the Delegation of Latvia to host the next Conference and also welcomed the offer extended by the Delegation of Austria to host the 26th Regional Conference for Europe in that country (para. 58).
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
43. Agreed that both offers should be conveyed to the Director-General for decision in consultation with the Members of the Region (para. 58);
44. Unanimously endorsed the statement made by the Delegation of Ireland to the effect that, given the recent enlargement of the European Union and the changes taking place within the wider region, the European Community and its twenty five member states was of the opinion that it was now opportune to reassess the objectives and format of the Regional Conference for Europe as well as of the European Commission on Agriculture (ECA) (para. 59);
45. Agreed that the Executive Committee of the ECA be mandated to examine how future conferences should be organized, with a view to presenting proposals for changes for the consideration of the European Regional Group during the preparation for the next (25th) FAO Regional Conference for Europe (para. 60);
46. Further agreed that the Executive Committee should consider how the Regional Conference for Europe could best meet the needs of the membership and increase its relevance to the changing situation in the European Region (para. 61);
47. Stressed that the Regional Conference for Europe should continue to facilitate debate on themes of relevance to the entire European Region and attract a high level of participation (para. 61).
2. The List of Participants is given in Appendix A to this Report.
4. The Chairman of the Interministerial Committee on Food and Agriculture of France, Mr Alain Pierret, welcomed participants to the Conference on behalf of the Government of France and expressed deep regrets that His Excellency, Hervé Gaymard, Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs of France, was not able to attend the ceremony. He stressed the importance of the conference in the new enlarged Europe where the rural sector is still a key component and the long tradition of France in agriculture. In referring to the Agenda of the Conference, the Chairperson indicated that it included items of great importance to the Region and the Country.
5. The Conference unanimously elected the delegation of France as Chairperson.
6. The delegations of the following countries were elected as Vice-Chairpersons:
7. Mr Francisco Martínez Arroyo, Alternate Permanent Representative of Spain to FAO, was elected Rapporteur.
9. The Director-General delivered his Statement to the Conference, the text of which is given in Appendix C to this report.
10. The item, introduced by the Secretariat, highlighted the FAO initiatives to alleviate poverty and the dimension of food security as well as the need for coherent and consistent action in the fight against hunger.
11. Heads of Delegation, as well as a representative from the Regional FAO/NGOs-CSOs Consultation for Europe2 who highlighted the outcome of the Consultation’s debate on this item, intervened on this agenda item.
12. The Conference expressed concern at the slow progress in meeting the goal of the World Food Summit to half the number of undernourished people in the world by 2015, and that on the basis of current reduction results, there was danger of not meeting the target.
13. The Conference took note that the European Community (EC) and its member states have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
14. The Conference welcomed the renewed commitment by the EC and its member states through multilateral institutions to ensure the focus on poverty reduction.
15. The Conference underlined the following points:
16. The Conference expressed its appreciation for the document prepared on this item which highlighted the main causes of food insecurity in the European Region, including natural disasters and man-made conflicts and endorsed the recommendations contained in the document.
17. Member Nations reiterated their commitment to achieving WFS goals in the European Region.
18. The item, introduced by the Secretariat, provided an overview of the different approaches to concepts of food quality. The importance of consumer information and participation was stressed as well as the role of the public and private sectors in the control of quality standards.
19. Heads of Delegation, as well as a representative from the Regional FAO/NGOs-CSOs Consultation for Europe4 who presented an outcome of the debate which took place on this item during the Consultation, intervened on this agenda item.
20. During the ensuing discussion, Member Nations:
21. Some delegates from non-EU countries stressed the importance of FAO technical assistance in capacity building in food safety in order to comply with international food standards.
22. The need to develop objective parameters to define various aspects of quality was emphasized by some members.
23. The Conference commended the document5 prepared on this item and endorsed its recommendations on food safety and quality.
24. FAO’s assistance was requested to focus on the fundamental need to assess the food composition, including the content of traditional foods for achieving food quality and nutritional balance and avoiding nutrition caused diseases (obesity, overweight, malnutrition).
25. The item, introduced by the Secretariat, provided an overview on the role of agricultural research in rural development, challenges and trends and needs to upgrade and reorient research to better serve sustainable rural development to the benefit of a wider rural community.
26. Heads of Delegation, as well as a representative from the Regional FAO/NGOs-CSOs Consultation for Europe7 who highlighted the outcome of the Consultation’s debate on this item, intervened on this agenda item.
27. During the discussion that followed, Member Nations:
28. The Conference requested FAO to assist in monitoring the sustainability of European research networks and should facilitate CEE and CIS countries to establish linkages to international networks and access to international collaboration in agriculture research.
29. The Conference took note of the disagreement of the EC with the content of paragraph 9 (Document ERC/04/5) related to sustainability of mainstream agriculture as it did not reflect the current situation, since changes in land use were already taking place towards sustainability of agriculture.
30. The Conference also noted the need for further support to new EU member states in restructuring research institutions and in establishing private research. The new member states could facilitate coordination of further collaboration of the EU with Balkan and CIS countries in research and technology.
31. The Conference welcomed the document, and endorsed its recommendations on agricultural research for rural development.
32. Under this item, the Secretariat highlighted that poverty in Europe and Central Asia had increased during the 1990s but was in general less than in other regions. However, in the poorer countries poverty was as severe as in poor areas of the developing world. In the European Region poverty was concentrated in the Western Balkans and Commonwealth of Independent States.
33. The absence in the document of specific proposals on poverty alleviation in the region was commented upon by the EC. It was also noted that the effects of agricultural growth on poverty depended on linkages within the agricultural sector and between agriculture and other sectors.
34. The Conference noted that poverty existed on a wide scale in the region.
35. The Conference was informed of the efforts deployed by Member Nations to alleviate poverty in rural areas through support to agriculture and rural development.
37. The Conference welcomed the document and stressed that FAO activities in the European region were of paramount importance in assisting a number of countries to meet the challenges in agriculture and rural development.
38. The Conference expressed its satisfaction on the increased collaboration of FAO with other international organizations as well as the cooperation with European NGOs and requested that such collaboration be further developed and strengthened.
39. The Conference welcomed the ratification by nine of the then fifteen member states of the EC and four of the new member states of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture by 31 March 2004. It urged FAO to strengthen its activities to implement the Treaty.
40. The Conference underlined that the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD) was a valuable resource in assisting European countries in combating this serious transboundary disease.
41. The Conference urged Member Nations which had not yet established a National Codex Committee, to make efforts to do so.
42. The Conference welcomed the work of FAO in the area of land management and overall natural resource management.
43. The Conference emphasized the importance of policy assistance and institutional capacity building and welcomed FAO’s work in this regard.
44. The Conference welcomed the activities undertaken by FAO in the areas of fisheries and forestry.
45. The Conference endorsed the recommendations contained in the document to strengthen agricultural production by supporting non-farm income generation activities in the framework of integrated rural development, including grass-roots level development and policy assistance at local level. It further welcomed the attention given to the new emerging issues such as organic farming, biotechnology and biosafety as well as assistance to transition countries in their efforts for EU integration.
46. The Hungarian Delegation informed the Conference about the reconstruction of the building currently housing the Subregional Office in Budapest and requested consideration of its hosting a bigger unit, like the FAO Regional Office for Europe.
47. The Conference was informed that on the occasion of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Committee for Europe (September 2004, Bratislava) European member countries of Codex would be able to participate in a workshop organized by the Netherlands and Slovakia, on the enhancement of a national Codex Committee.
48. The Conference took note of the offer by Austria to host the 17th FAO/ECA WPW Expert Meeting on Gender and Rural Development in June 2004.
50. The Conference took note of the activities undertaken by FAO for the preparation and coordination of the International Year of Rice and welcomed the document prepared by the Secretariat.
52. The Conference noted that:
54. The Conference urged that donors and international organizations, including FAO, should assist in bridging the digital divide by incorporating their activities into national e-strategies within national poverty reduction programmes.
55. The item was introduced by the Secretariat, which provided an overview on FAO assistance in updating national agricultural and rural development strategies and policies since the World Food Summit as part of an effort to assist Member Nations in setting strategies for attaining their WFS commitments. It was stressed that twenty Member Nations had received assistance in formulating agricultural and rural development strategies since 1993. The primary focus of assistance had been technical capacity building for formulation of sustainable agricultural and rural development policies within the overall framework of EU accession and Poverty Reduction Strategy Policies.
56. The Conference welcomed this document outlining FAO’s important role in providing policy advice to governments and administrations of the region.
57. The Conference requested FAO to continue its activities focussing on long-term capacity building for technical matters and policy formulation.
58.The Conference welcomed the renewed offer extended by the Delegation of Latvia to host the next Conference. The Conference also welcomed the offer extended by the Delegation of Austria to host the 26th Regional Conference for Europe. The Conference agreed that both offers should be conveyed to the Director-General for decision in consultation with the Members of the Region.
59. The Conference unanimously endorsed the statement made by the Delegation of Ireland to the effect that, given the recent enlargement of the European Union and the changes taking place within the wider region, the European Community and its twenty five member states were of the opinion that it was now opportune to reassess the objectives and format of the Regional Conference for Europe as well as of the European Commission on Agriculture (ECA), the technical preparatory body for the regional conference.
60. The Conference agreed that the Executive Committee of the ECA be mandated to examine how future conferences should be organized, with a view to presenting proposals for changes for the consideration of the European Regional Group during the preparation for the next (25th) FAO Regional Conference for Europe.
61. The Conference further agreed that the Executive Committee should consider how the European Regional Conference could best meet the needs of the membership and increase its relevance to the changing situation in the European Region. The Regional Conference for Europe should continue to facilitate debate on themes of relevance to the entire European Region and attract a high level of participation.
62. The Conference welcomed the organization of two side-events organized by the host government related to two technical items on its agenda13.
63. The Conference also welcomed the organization of information sessions on the FAO field programme14.
64. With some amendments, the text of the draft report was approved by the Conference.
65. On behalf of the Director-General, the Regional Representative for Europe thanked the host government for the welcome extended to all delegations. In particular, she expressed deep appreciation to the staff of the Ecole National Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier (ENSAM) for the excellent facilities provided which contributed to the smooth and efficient conduct of the Conference.
66. On behalf of the Government of France, the Chairperson paid tribute to the active participation of all delegations and especially of the ten representing the countries newly admitted to EU membership. He also made reference to the vigorous efforts undertaken by the other countries of the South eastern sub-region which would permit them to adhere to EU membership in the future years. The Chairperson wished to place on record his appreciation of the generous contribution extended by the ENSAM, INRA, CIRAD and Agropolis.
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2 Held in Montpellier on 3 and 4 May 2004. The Statement of the Consultation is attached as Appendix D to this Report.
3 ERC/04/4, ERC/04/INF/10 and ERC/04/LIM/1
4 The statement is attached in Appendix E to this Report
5 ERC/04/4
6 ERC/04/5 and ERC/04/5-Sup.1
7 The Statement is attached in Appendix F to this Report
8 ERC/04/6
9 ERC/04/2
10 ERC/04/INF/5
11 ERC/04/INF/6
12 ERC/04/INF/7
13 Side-event linked to Item 6: ‘Food Quality and Sustainable Development’
Side-event linked to Item 7: ‘Agricultural Research at the Service of Sustainable Rural Development’
14 (i) Presentation of the project ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (SARD-M)’
(ii) Field programme on current projects in the Western Balkans and future approach (Serbia and Montenegro and the FYR of Macedonia)
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