EL PRESIDENTE : Antes de dar la palabra al primer orador que tengo inscrito en la lista, nuestro Relator, el Sr. Rittershaus, se va a referir al desarrollo de las intervenciones que han tenido lugar en el Plenario, lo que podrá sin duda ayudarnos en nuestras deliberaciones.
L. RITTERSHAUS (Rapporteur from Plenary to Commission I): I will conclude my report on the general discussion in Plenary so far as the prevention of food losses is concerned.
In the words of the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Bergland, the United States fully supported the programme concerning the reduction of post-harvest losses as part of greater world food security. In his view, action towards reduction of post-harvest losses would be suitably complemented by programmes of resource development, nutrition monitoring, agricultural planning, conservation of land and water resources and intensification of agricultural investment.
The delegate from Zambia stressed that appropriate food storage facilities and techniques constituted an Important element in any strategy geared to reduction of food losses and FAO's programme should give top priority to Improvement in food storage in developing countries. Processing of agricultural products, especially of perishable ones, was another field which snould receive greater attention in this context. Similar views were expressed by the delegates from Pakistan and Korea. The latter stressed the importance of a global and comprehensive approach. The Kenyan delegation expressed a wish to see FAO devoting greater attention to production and preservation of the more important African indigenous crops such as root crops, a field hitherto relatively neglected in FAO's activities concerning storage and preservation. Any action in this respect could considerably contribute to a higher degree of food self-sufficiency in many African countries.
The statement made by the delegate of Yugoslavia emphasized the need for high priority for the Director-General's programme of food losses. Yugoslavia supported the proposed fund for this purpose. Guinea added that in this field we had to struggle not only with technical but also with socio-economic problems. The delegate from Senegal expressed similar views.
The Mexican delegate added that in order, to minimize post-harvest losses the creation of a system of international marketing and stocking and the constitution of regulatory food reserves might constitute a useful complement. Among other countries supporting these proposals on reduction of food losses were the Netherlands and Spain, the latter adding some remarks on the need for greater international collaboration in research oriented towards reductions of food spoilage and losses. The Netherlands stressed that the programme should include fisheries and forestry.
In the view of the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, reduction of food losses was intimately linked with stockage and this involved the farmers, who in his country held large shares of stocks. In Canada, each year about 135 kg of processed food were wasted per head of the population. This was an unacceptable outrage and therefore the proposed programme deserved the fullest support. The details and the methods Of implementation, however, needed further explanation and deliberation. The delegate from Nepal added that stock building within the developing countries would be a positive step towards improvement of the supply situation, provided international assistance would help in cutting down losses in stockkeeping.
P. MEHDIZADEH (Iran): Mr. Chairman, the Iranian delegation would like to associate ourselves with the previous speakers who have congratulated you and the other officerei of the Commission on your election.
We are gratified to see that the whole question of food losses is being given proper priority and treated as one of the most important themes in this session of the Conference. Almost a year ago a Royal Decree from the leader of my country, the Shainshah Arymehr, initiated a great campaign for the
prevention of food losses in Iran, including all the phases of pre-harvest and during harvest as well as post-harvest. First, a thorough study to assess the magnitude of the losses was launched and then a Royal Commission was set up to implement the national programme to minimize food losses. We must he realistic. It is almost impossible to eliminate food losses altogether, but, on the other hand, it is quite possible to minimize food losses.
I have to compliment the Secretariat on the preparation of Document C 77/19 on the prevention of food losses. None the less I think the figures for food losses are on the extremely conservative side. The document, while dealing very cautiously with the pre-harvest losses or losses in times of harvest, has emphasized the post-harvest losses, which for my delegation is quite acceptable. However, we have to realize that the whole problem of food losses needs to be examined more deeply in due time. The use of pesticides to curb pre-harvest losses is not the ultimate solution of the problem. Given that all the f armers can afford to use these chemicals, the whole problem of environmental pollution comes into the picture, not to mention the appearance of less susceptible varieties of pests and/or diseases which will then require more and more use of chemicals and thus more pollution.
We notice that the problem of the prevention of food losses is a very complex one. Most of it deals with the minds of people. For farmers who have grown their crops for generations on a certain cropping system it will be very difficult to change to one suggested by the findings of the Programme under discussion here. When I say cropping systems, this includes storage, for many farmers in developing countries store some of their products in thei field, sometimes on the tops of trees. There are good examples of this practice in many parts of the world. For this reason, more time must be given in this Programme to informal training. This means the training of farmers and the extension services.
I think the heart of the subject was discussed by the representative of the International Federation of Home Economists here yesterday. Some of the food losses occur after the food has been cooked and that is the time when the housewife prepares more food than is necessary. This is especially true in some of the developed countries. Where does the excess food end up ? In the trash basket. This was brought up by the Minister of Agriculture of Canada here as well.
In conclusion I would like to say that the problem of food losses must be reviewed on a somewhat broader basis and in such a way as to include all phases of production of food from the field right up to the dining table. In this connection the role of the middleman in the marketing process should not be underestimated. In the case studies carried out in Iran it is indicated that in some cases not only does the middleman obtain the highest profits, even more than the farmer and the retailer, or both, but in order to sell his acquired products dearer sometimes the middleman, by hiring all the fast or slow transportation facilities in the area, compels the farmer to sell his product at much lower prices, or else the products, especially cash crops, fruits and vegetables, become spoiled on the spot. Thus, in addition to training, extension, development of the infrastructure, the use of indigenous technology land techniques and local ways of the prevention of food losses must be considered and developed further and enhanced for the better and more efficient prevention of food losses.
V. STIPETIC (Yugoslavia) : Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to associate my delegation with the congratulations to you on your election and also to your team. We are positive that under your able guidance in this Commission we shall be able to reach the conclusions so vital for the welfare of humanity.
The point which we are now discussing is another important item on our agenda, the Prevention of Food Losses and a resolution which creates a Special Fund for it.
We regard these documents as an excellent basis for discussion and decision by FAO. FAO should be complimented on such an excellent job in dealing with the subject.
My delegation regards the creation of this Special Fund for the Prevention of Food Losses as an important step towards the solution of malnutrition and hunger which are menacing the developing countries·
According to one Yugoslav investigation, the harvest and post-harvest losses are taking one-sixth of the total cereal production in the developing countries, and approximately one-twelfth of the cereal production in developed countries.
Applying those percentages to the world cereal production in 1976, we get the surprising figure that almost 40 million metrie tonnes of cereals are left in developing market economies and, additionally, almost 160 million tonnes in developed ones, and of course other regions of the world. By halving those
losses in the foreseeable future, one might get an additional 100 million metric tonnes of cereals, mieht which miehtbe a eieantic step towards eliminatine huneer from the earth's face.
Having those facts in mind, we consider that broad-based action to cut back harvest and post-harvest losses must have first priority. I insist that it is not an easy task. It needs careful planning at all stages : in production, harvesting, processing and storage; in coordination of trained personnel in many disciplines of science and in governmental offices. But in spite of all the difficulties, this task should and can be done.
For that reason we do support the resolution proposed by the Director-General. We also welcome the proposal for the balance existing in the Suspense Account up to an amount of US$ 10 million to be transferred to this Fund. With that programme we might start our task at once.
O. LUCO ECHEVERRÍA (Chile): Permítame, en primer lugar. felicitarlo a usted por haber sido elegido Presi dente de esta Comisión; igualmente hago extensiva esta felicitación a los señores que ocupan los cargos de Vicepresidentes.
Mi delegación considera de la mayor importancia la iniciativa del Director General encaminada a reali zar un programa especial con la finalidad de contribuir a reducir en lo posible las pérdidas que ocu rren durante y después de las cosechas.
Se trata de un problema de gran envergadura y cualquier medida que se adopte para solucionarlo o para atenuar sus efectos, tendrá repercusiones favorables en la disponibilidad de alimentos en el mundo entero. Creemos que un programa de esta naturaleza reviste una importancia y especial significación en los países en desarrollo. Por una parte, el relativamente bajo nivel de tecnología que alcanzan mu chos países en desarrollo tiende a incrementar las pérdidas de alimentos durante y después de las cose chas, lo que constituye una verdadera limitación a sus esfuerzos por aumentar la producción y hacer un aporte de mayor consideración a la campaña de la comunidad internacional dirigida a erradicar el ham bre y la malnutrición.
Tales pérdidas significan también para los países en desarrollo un obstáculo más a sus objetivos de un mayor progreso económico y social. Por otra parte, el programa propuesto por el Sr. Director General es de gran necesidad para estos mismos países, puesto que la mayor parte de ellos no cuentan con los recursos humanos ni con los recursos financieros para llevar a cabo aquellas medidas que puedan con tribuir a reducir estas pérdidas.
Desde que este tema ha sido planteado en la FAO y en otros foros internacionales, virtualmente nadie ha puesto en duda la necesidad de emprender con la mayor urgencia una vigorosa acción para alcanzar este objetivo. Sin embargo, es lamentable que aun no se pueda encontrar una solución satisfactoria para todos en lo que concierne a los medios económicos con los cuales financiar este programa.
Por otra parte, debo declarar que la delegación de Chile estima que la propuesta del Sr. Director Gene ral en el sentido de destinar una parte de los fondos acumulados en la Cuenta Transitoria a fin de ini ciar las actividades del programa, es la más adecuada. Se trata, en efecto, de un mecanismo financie ro que responde satisfactoriamente a los requisitos que nosotros consideramos indispensables para el éxito de este programa de acción por los puntos que a continuación señalaré.
He hecho la afirmación anterior porque, primero, constituye un sistema de financiación en el que parti cipan absolutamente todos los Estados Miembros, aportando contribuciones proporcionales a sus grados de desarrollo económico. Acá no hay una diferencia tajante entre los países donantes y los países bene ficiarios. Todos los países son donantes y los beneficiarios serán aquellos que en forma más aguda sufren las consecuencias de este problema.
Segundo, permite una acción inmediata; al Sr. Director General y la FAO les permitirá iniciar desde el principio del mismo período presupuestario este importante programa, y esto es fundamental. Debe mos tener presente que se trata de evitar pérdidas actuales de alimentos; pérdidas que ahora mismo se están produciendo en todas partes del mundo con graves perjuicios para quienes sufren hambre y priva ciones .
Tercero, el programa se iniciará sobre la base de una administración de los recursos por la comunidad internacional, esto es, por la FAO. No negamos el valor que en el mundo actual tiene la asistencia bilateral, pero creemos que tratándose de un problema de esta naturaleza, la administración de los recursos por la FAO asegura que su inversión se aplicará efectivamente a las realidades y requerimien tos más urgentes.
Con lo anterior, Sr. Presidente, y además si usted me permite, quisiéramos señalar que consideramos que un programa de esta envergadura, exige que sea toda la FAO la que se movilice en este sentido; y al decir toda la FAO me refiero a que un programa que pretende minorizar las pérdidas durante y después de las cosechas exige que haya una acción en un contexto amplio, y que, en consecuencia, se tenga presente cada una de las diferentes etapas que ello significa.
Y es por esto que mi delegación estima que si bien es cierto que es indispensable el Fondo Especial, también debe tenerse presente que se deben movilizar a su vez otros recursos de la FAO que ayuden a que este programa tenga feliz éxito. En consecuencia, y haciendo un breve resumen, creemos que al recurrir para iniciar este programa a una parte de los fondos acumulados por concepto de fluctuaciones de los tipos de cambio, se dará a estos recursos un destino más útil y que redundará en un mayor beneficio para todos.
Por estas breves consideraciones, mi delegación apoya decididamente la resolución que el Consejo ha propuesto a la Conferencia y por la cual se crea el Fondo Especial para la Prevención de las Pérdidas de Alimentos, y se traslada al mismo hasta un total de 10 millones de dólares desde la Cuenta Transitoria.
R. TANABE (Japan): First of all, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my delegation I would like to express our congratulations to you on your election to the Chairmanship of this. Commission.
As clearly pointed out at the World Food Conference and in the World Food Council meeting, the eradication of hunger and malnutrition is one of the most important themes imposed upon us today.It has been widely emphasized that the prevention of food losses, together with the increase of food production, are main elements for this purpose. My country has also had a problem of food prevention losses for rice, but to some extent we have succeeded in reducing such losses by tremendous efforts over many years. I hope that our experience and knowledge in this field will be helpful in solving similar problems in developing countries, in particular those which produce rice as their primary food production.
We very much appreciate the efforts of the developing countries in eradicating hunger and malnutrition and my country, with its experience and expertise, is prepared to make technical assistance available as far as possible for these countries. Now I should like to touch on the problem of priorities. It is important and essential for the programme to establish priorities because if the programme has too.wide objectives the project might not be complete. Therefore, my delegation fully agrees with the view of FAO that priority should be given to the staple foods.
Finally, as to financing the Fund for the programme, my delegation is of the view that, as the delegate of Canada clearly stated, such a programme of a technical assistance nature should be financed by the central funding body, UNDP, and if the Fund for the prevention of food losses is established in FAO under its control it is essential that the principle of voluntary contributions should be ensured.
F. MONCAYO (Ecuador): Sumo mi voz, señor Presidente, a quienes me han precedido en el uso de la palabra para expresarle a usted, y a los miembros de la mesa directiva, nuestra felicitación por haber sido acertadamente elegidos para presidir estas deliberaciones. Ofrecemos nuestra colaboración en los tra bajos de esta Comisión esperando que constituyan un aporte al logro de estos importantes objetivos.
Para el Ecuador tiene especial interés la prevención de pérdidas de alimentos, ya que por este motivo se desperdician ingentes recursos que serían de suma utilidad en nuestros esfuerzos por desarrollarnos. Creemos que la pérdida de alimentos tiene una singular coherencia con el nivel de desarrollo de los países y consideramos, asimismo, que el enorme desperdicio de alimentos constituye una gran pérdida que debería evitarse. Nos parece que las causas de las pérdidas que se señalan en el documento, son expresiones visibles de otras causas más profundas entre las que no podría dejar de considerarse el tratamiento recibido por los productos agrícolas en los mercados.
Nuestra delegación desea apoyar decididamente al Programa presentado por el señor Director General y respaldar la creación de un fondo especial en los términos en que éste ha sido propuesto.
En cuanto a las actividades de asesoramiento, formación, investigación, evaluación, etc., creemos que deberá concentrarse en áreas específicas y prioritarias para que los resultados sean de real benefi cio en especial para nuestros países en desarrollo. También estimamos que deberían ser difundidas a todas las regiones.
Aceptamos las sugerencias presentadas en el bien estructurado documento que se nos ha hecho llegar y esperamos refuerce nuestras actividades en este campo bajo sus acertadas orientaciones.
Debo informar brevemente, señor Presidente, que nuestro país ha dado importantes pasos para la construc ción de silos y bodegas, así como redes de almacenamiento y mercado de mayoristas, y ha reglamentado la intervención de los intermediarios garantizando mejores condiciones para los productos y también para los consumidores. Sin embargo no escapará del criterio ilustrado del Presidente y de los delega dos, que las inversiones para el efecto serán muy altas y que sólo podrán efectuarse con el apoyo de otros países y de los Organismos Internacionales. El Ecuador espera, pues, y confía mucho en este Programa, considerando que la cifra señalada de 20 millones no es otra cosa que una suma inicial que cumplirá un papel promotor para la movilización de mayores recursos en el futuro.
D. CRUMP (New Zealand); The New Zealand delegation would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and the Vice-Chairmen bn being elected to their positions.
The subject Prevention of Food Losses in Developing Countries has been very fully discussed at previous meetings. The New Zealand delegation, along with other delegations, gives full support to the proposal.
Under Section III, A Strategy for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Food Losses in Developing Countries, we note that paragraph 21 introduces a national committee for food loss prevention. The paper gives no indication of the status of such a committee, and whether it is a necessary prerequisite to a country's request being approved by FAO. The list of activities outlined for the committee is certainly wide-ranging and would require a great deal of qualified input over a long period of time. One of the major disadvantages in the practice of the methodology outlined for tackling the problem is that the limited resources available in the developing countries may well be fully committed in studying the problem, leaving insufficient resources and energy for implementing remedies.
The need for flexibility in the action programme has been emphasized by many delegates who have specified particular problems in their countries. Indeed, flexibility will be a requirement for the success of the programme. The ultimate success of the programme will depend upon evaluation and continued extension of the techniques in the countries concerned. The projects described can only act as models for demonstration to other farmers and other groups.
While we support the establishment of a Special Fund for the reduction of food losses, we are not entirely happy with the Director-General's original proposal for the initial financing of the Special Fund. However, we understand that a compromise has been proposed regarding the transfer of $10 million from the Suspense Account to the Special Fund. This will basically preserve the voluntary nature of the transfer. We understand that the element of compulsion in the transfer which caused us difficulties has been dropped. We are pleased that this compromise has been possible, and we can endorse it. We are also happy to be able to inform this body that New Zealand is pleased to see its share of the Suspense Account surplus transferred voluntarily to the Special Fund because we believe that this is an excellent programme deserving our full support.
LA XUAN DINH (Viet Nam): Tout d'abord permettez -moi, au nom de la délégation de la République socialiste du Viet Nam, de vous transmettre, ainsi qu'à MM. les vice-présidents, nos chaleureuses felicitations ainsi que nos souhaits, pour un plein succès dans l'accomplissement de la tâche qui vous incombe.
En ce qui concerne la question qui fait l'objet du débat, la délégation de la République socialiste vietnamienne déclare qu'elle donne son plein appui au ''Programme des préventions des pertes alimen taires" présenté par le Directeur général avec le projet de résolution. Nous estimons grandement l'analyse détaillée et riche du document C 77/19 soumis à l'examen de la Conférence. Notre pays attache une très grande importance à la résolution du problème visant à réduire autant que possible les pertes, avant, pendant et après la récolte. Notre propre expérience nous a démontré que, s'il nous est difficile d'accroître le rendement du riz de 10 pour cent, il nous est très facile de perdre 20 à 30 pour cent de la récolte obtenue après un dur labeur, un combat acharné contre les calamités atmosphériques et autres facteurs de destruction.
Dans notre pays, au climat chaud et humide, les moussons, la haute température, l'humidité atmosphériqueconstamment élevée, allant de pair avec les parasites ravageurs, ne cessent de porter atteinte à nos champs, nos stocks et entrepots agricoles, en particulier stocks et entrepots céréaliers.
La question de la prévention des pertes alimentaires devient pour nous encore plus pressante car nous devons arriver, à brève échéance, à 1'autosuffisance en denrées alimentaires et à la constitution des réserves. Nous estimons que les lignes directrices et les propositions présentées dans le programme d'action sont pertinentes et peuvent contribuer efficacement à nous aider à atteindre l'objectif que nous avons en vue: à savoir réduire de 50 pour cent les pertes alimentaires vers l'année 1985.
Nous sommes également d'accord avec le Conseil et le Directeur général sur la nécessité absolue de créer un Fonds spécial pour la prévention des pertes alimentaires et que le montant de ce Fonds doit atteindre une grandeur significative vu la vaste envergure de son objectif à atteindre dans un délai assez court.
Pour conclure, nous aimerions déclarer que nous essayons de notre mieux, avec nos propres moyens et notre propre expérience (quoique encore très limitée), de prendre des mesures adéquates dans la prévention des pertes alimentaires. Mais nous espérons aussi que la FAO apportera une aide matérielle et technique efficace è notre pays qui a été reconnu récemment, par l'Assemblée générale de l'Organisation des Nations Unies, comme l'un des pays le plus gravement touchés.
T. GURMU (Ethiopia): The seriousness of food loss during pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions and operations has been well stated by all speakers, but allow me to make some general statements.
First, the emphasis we have given to fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and other technologies for use by the small farmer has, so far, been very high. As you know, it is becoming very expensive for the small farmer to produce more. Along with this, the attendant problems of dependency, pollution, etc. are too well known to need any emphasis here. At the same time, we have not been able to embark on a proper extension system to reduce pre-harvest and post-harvest losses. This should be a matter of concern.
Secondly, although Third World farmers have been able to increase their yields through mainly imported technologies, they have not been able to maintain and preserve the incremental yield; hence the need to improve the agricultural practices of the farmer in production, storage and marketing.
Thirdly, also extensive research in the use of local resources and capacities to combat food losses is highly called for. Finally, le me state that in my country as a result of the land reform programme not less than three million farm families have become beneficiaries. Today we have not less than 23 000 farmers. associations with a membership of 6.8 million small farmers. These farmers have been more than able to exploit their capabilities and initiatives. The strength of their organization has enabled them to embark on construction of consumable grain storage at village level. With a communal effort they have started to combat rodents and other predators. We have absolute confidence in these farmers that they are more than ever prepared to increase their yield and avoid wastage.
The FAO Action Programme as long as it helps'the small farmer to be self-sufficient and self-reliant will get the absolute support of the Ethiopian delegation.
P. AMARO (Portugal): Je désire affirmer l'accord de la délégation du Portugal d'une façon générale aux idées présentées dans le document préparé par le Secrétariat sur la prévention des pertes alimentaires. Ceci ne nous empêche pas de faire quelques observations sur les priorités adoptées concernant les produits qui doivent être considérés et dont le programme mérite une révision en n'oubliant pas les produits animaux, pêches incluses, et les produits intéressant les industries agricoles et alimentaires, comme cela a déjà d'ailleurs été suggéré par d'autres délégations.
Concernant les projets modèles, nous considérons l'importance toute spéciale des projets sur la campagne nationale, projet I; le projet sur les programmes de formation, projet J; le projet sur les luttes contre les ravageurs, projet E; et la lutte contre les rongeurs, projet H. A notre avis, la priorité que méritent ces projets résulte de l'importance donnée ainsi à des actions de formation et de dynamisation pour obtenir une large et efficace utilisation pratique des mesures rationnelles des progressions de pertes alimentaires, très spécialement au niveau des villages.
Je propose ainsi que des crédits plus élevés et qu'un plus grand nombre de pays soient considérés par les projets que nous avons cités.
Pour terminer, j'aimerais rappeler les fâcheuses conséquences pour la santé humaine qui peuvent résulter d'une application intensive et irrationnelle des pesticides pour des populations illettrées.
Dans les projets à mettre en pratique, il faut alors donner une attention toute particulière pour empêcher la répétition des graves accidents observés dans le passé, comme par exemple, l'utilisation pour l'alimentation humaine de semences de céréales traitées avec des organomercuriáis.
EL PRESIDENTE: Ahora voy a leer la lista de delegados, para que cada uno sepa cuándo le va a corres ponder intervenir en el debate: el primero será Nepal, luego Panamá, Trinidad y Tabago, Noruega, Estados Unidos, República Federal de Alemania, Finlandia, Niger, Grecia, Bharein, Libia Kuwait, Países Bajos, Emiratos Arabes Unidos, Liberia, Ghana, Zaire, Reino Unido, Gabon (que ha solicitado intervenir nuevamente), Sri Lanka (que omití yo anteriormente), y por último el delegado representante de las Naciones Unidas.
S.B. NEPALI (Nepal): Let me first congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Nepal delegates, on assuming the Chair of this Session. Also I would like to compliment the Vice-Chairmen on their election, and thank the Council for electing Nepal as one of the Vice-Chairmen of this Commission I.
Coming back to the proposal on the prevention of food losses', I appreciate very much the importance given to this by FAO and I personally congratulate the Director-General of FAO for this.I should like to add a few more points.
Referring to the Fund which has been talked about, the Fund is limited but as to utilization of the Fund, involving international countries to support this programme, I would say a few words. Primarily I would like to see that every country has some studies in entomology, and these should be collected, studied, assessed and made use of. This would also involve storage factors.
Next, on food losses the primary emphasis has been given on post-harvest loss. I would add that emphasis must be given on pre-harvest losses also. In this regard the use of biological control of insect pests would be a useful activity.
Thirdly, priority also should be given not exclusively for the storage of food grains, but for seeds.
In certain places transport is very difficult and a quick decision is required. For this purpose I would like to see the transport and premises involved in collection centralized and disseminated wherever possible, and disseminated in such a way so as to strengthen them on a national and regional basis.
I. DIAZ (Panamá): Señor Presidente, la delegacion .de Panamá desea felicitarlo por su elección para presidir esta importante Comisión sobre Prevención de pérdidas de alimentos, así como a los Vicepresi dentes que lo acompañan. Del mismo modo deseamos felicitar al Director General por darle el necesario énfasis a un programa de prevención de pérdidas de alimentos, precisamente en una época en que los pro blemas del hambre, la marginación y la desnutrición se han agudizado.
Panamá, como país agricolamente nuevo, sufre el problema de pérdida de alimentos en un alto porcentaje, que consideramos todavía intolerable, a pesar del marcado interés del Gobierno Revolucionario por el desarrollo de la agricultura y la reivindicación del campesinado. No obstante la institucionalización de la investigación agrícola, el seguro agrícola y los ambiciosos planes por desarrollar, se requiere la puesta en práctica de un conjunto de acciones tendentes a evitar la perdida de alimentos durante el proceso productivo dentro del concepto del desarrollo rural, de la conservación de los recursos naturales y del medio ambiente, lo cual ha entrañado entre otras auchas actividades la instalación de nuevos silos, almacenes, fumigación y la reglamentación de agroquímicos, especialmente herbicidas por fumigación aérea.
La delegación panameña da su apoyo al programa presentado para prevenir la pérdida de alimentos y con sidera que el énfasis del programa debería hacerse en dos aspectos fundamentales: a nivel de los pequeños agricultores, de grupos de agricultores y de aldeas, y el adiestramiento técnico a todos los niveles y de investigación para desarrollar tecnologías y ensayos, especialmente en países como el inuestro, en desarrollo, tales como secaderos solares y silos pequeños, incluso transportables, quizá construidos con los recursos propios de cada país.
Con respecto al Fondo propuesto para este programa, nuestra delegación sólo desea hacer un llamado muy respetuoso a la Comisión para que se considere la necesidad y la urgencia de contar con él.
R. RAMPERSAD (Trinidad and Tobago): First of all, Mr. Chairman, I would like to join the previous speakers in congratulating you on your election to this very important office. My delegation is con fident that under your guidance we shall have a very fruitful Session. Secondly, in keeping with your repeated requests, I shall try tó make my intervention very brief.
The Trinidad and Tobago delegation commends the very timely proposal for serious consideration to be given to measures to reduce food losses occurring at various stages of post-harvest operation. The justification for such proposals has been adequately documented and needs no further elaboration. In a situation of widespread food shortages and undernourishment it is imperative that every effort be made to ensure that the largest possible percentage of the yield from the land is made available for consumption. What needs to be emphasized is the special nature of the problem as it affects small developing countries. I refer to the problem of losses at the level of the small farm, the type of unit in which production is intended mainly for direct household consumption and not for sale in the market. The average little farmer looks upon grain production as a measure of security, a safeguard against market shortages, or a precaution against his own inability to purchase his requirements at going market prices.
Because of this attitude, the small farmer attempts to store his produce for long periods from one harvest to another under conditions which are far from satisfactory. Deterioration rates are high so that quantitative losses are compounded by high qualitative losses which have implications for the nutritional content of his food intake. By and large this type of farmer is unable to calculate the relèvent benefits of instituting improved methods of storage. Even where he appreciates the need for it and is willing to improve his own storage practices and facilities, he does not have access to the physical resources necessary for making the adjustment, particularly where the type of storage tech nology to which he is introduced is limited to processes and facilities which are unduly expensive.
National and international methods to reduce post-harvest food losses should therefore give special attention to the peculiar problems of this category of producer. FAO's programme quite naturally cannot embrace all countries in need of assistance or guidance. It must be selective. My delegation feels, however, that many more countries can benefit from the expertise available to FAO if some attempt is made to document details of the programmes attempted in different countries as well as the experiences and the results of these programmes. Such reports should be comprehensive. They should include designs, specifications, and materials used in the physical facilities, strategies adopted for the communication of ideas, special problems encountered and the measures adopted to solve these. This type of information can be used by those countries not covered by the FAO programme as a basis for formulating their national programmes of action.
Finally, my delegation wishes to commend those organizations like the Commonwealth Secretariat for independent initiatives in this important area of activity. We also endorse the sussestions made by previous delegations that as soon as practical similar programmes be launched for the reduction of losses in meat and fish products, particularly fish in tropical areas where deterioration tends to be rapid and post-harvest losses substantial.
My delegation supports the proposal put forward by the Director-General, including his proposals for financing the programme.
P.G. STAVNUM (Norway): In order to be brief and not repeat too much what has been said already, my delegation will concentrate on two important points. As stated by Denmark and others, my delegation would like FAO to give priority to the Prevention of Food Losses at the village and farm level.In this connection they would like to underline the important role of women, both as an important labour force in agriculture in many developing countries as well as possessing responsibility for handling and preparation of food in the family, as was so well expressed yesterday by the representative of the International Federation of Home Economists. Due to this fact, the role of women must be taken into account when formulating and preparing projects within the programme, and in particular when it comes to education.
Many foodstuffs are highly perishable and need some kind of storage and processing. In this respect we should like to underline the importance of the preservation of fish and fish products. This is a question which is of vital importance for my country as well as many other countries. In Norway we are all the time doing our best to increase the use of fish for human consumption. As stated by many other delegations, we would like FAO to consider an action programme also in this field.
Norway strongly supports the endeavour of FAO to prevent food losses and we would like to see it as an integral part of the regular programme as well as the field programme in the future.
C.FARRAR (United States of America): We note with particular pleasure a consensus that FAO should take a strong lead in preventing post-harvest food losses. We want to take a prominent place among the supporters of that consensus.
Losses that take place from the beginning of the production process through the start of the harvest are no doubt equally important, but that importance has long been recognized as a subject for programme action. There are specific existing and planned programmes of FAO and other donors to deal with pre-harvest loss problems. As one example, I might cite a multi-year programme of some $30 million for the Sahel part of Africa which is nearing the formal approval of my Government. We hope that negotia tions can soon be completed so that the programme can be implemented. FAO will play a role in imple menting this project which is concerned essentially with plant protection to reduce pre-harvest losses. Accordingly, we believe that the Special Fund which FAO proposes to create should be concentrated on the harvest and post-harvest area where, as several delegations have pointed out, there is the greatest need for programme stimulation and leadership which is the purpose of this Special Fund. Exceptions should, of course, be made for those cases where the particular problem being addressed, such as an insect infestation, is one that spans the harvest period.
We have a few comments on the specific parts of the proposals. We concur that loss assessment surveys are an important first step in work in any country. In fact, we would like to see considerably greater emphasis given to the identification of the constraints, the conduct of experimental programmes and the determination of a country strategy. As has been pointed out by delegates from numerous countries, there is a great dearth of information on the size of losses and when and how they happen. This must be known for the specific country before any sensible programme can be undertaken. Ito funds are specifically set aside for this purpose in the budget before us.We recommend that this should be made a high priority. Other donors will be ready, the strategy is clear and the projects identified. The role of FAO should be to make sure the right course is followed, not to engage in capital investments. We agree with the emphasis given to securing a strong commitment from the government of each country to undertake an effective programme of preventing post-harvest losses before engaging specific FAO resources in that country. While training is mentioned as one element of the programme, experience may well show that more resources are needed to be used for this purpose. Without skilled manpower the momentum of activities cannot he sustained over the longer term.
While problems of bulk storage cannot be excluded, primary attention should be given, as several delegates have suggested, at the village level and the home level. As the delegate from Brazil has said, we should also pay special attention to the methods known by individuals or groups of farmers in developing countries that work and can be learned in other places, I will simply support the views of Norway with regard to the role of women which is critical throughout this programme.Given the paucity of resources and the critical nature of the food programme, we do not think the Special Fund should be used for work on storage of non-food crops. We believe that effective priority should go to those countries with serious food problems and to those where success in meeting food problems Is causing storage difficulties.
I have omitted reference to the question of financing this programme which is being pursued in accordance with the recommendation of the Council that we seek a consensus. Obviously our long-term support to this important programme will be influenced significantly by the ultimate decision of the Conference on the issue of financing.
W.A.F. GRABISCH (Germany, Fed. Rep. of) (interpretation from German): The priority to be given to the prevention and reduction of food losses was particularly highlighted at the Plenary Session by my Minister of Agriculture. The discussion up to now has shown that there is a very large consensus on those points. Many delegations yesterday and today referred to the scope of this problem in their own countries. Losses there are very frequently well over 10 percent. The lively discussion can teach us many things. We believe that the Director-General will take the comments from the floor here into account in the final formulation of the programme. In view of the short time available I would now like to concentrate just on a few basic and some specific remarks.
I think priority should, in this field of prevention of food losses, be set within the national field of developing countries; in other words, these measures should be incorporated into national programmes and given priorities there. We agree with many delegations that all measures should be flexible and be adapted to local prevailing conditions. The programme already discussed in the appropriate bodies finds our support in principle. The projects envisaged are models and should serve as catalysts for large-scale programmes as pointed out in paragraph 42 of document C 77/19,and here I would like to likes up with what a few previous speakers have said. The delegate of China particularly emphasized the importance of having all measures at producer level. They should be of immediate usefulness and as
simple and cheap as possible. The delegate from Malaysia was in favour of having on the level of small farmers practical measures evolved which can be speedily put into action. The delegate of the Philippines also spoke in favour of having workshops or seminars in order to disseminate knowledge and to discuss practical, locally adapted measures for this priority task. The delegate of Chad suggested that in disseminating concrete proposals to reduce food losses audio-visual media should be used to appeal to the great number of small farmers.
The delegation of my country to the Seventy-First Session of the Council suggested that national broadcasting stations should be used in order to cover the entire population - producers, consumers and the various stages of marketing and distribution - and be the subject of selected motivation actions aimed at the drastic prevention of food losses, particularly in the post-harvesting stage. We hope that this proposal will have fallen on fertile soil.
My Government gives high priority to the programmes to prevent food losses within the framework of its cooperation with developing countries. In addition to the measures taken so far within the framework of our Technical Assistance we have launched now a supra-regional programme to reduce food losses, particularly for small farms in Africa.
My Minister in the course of his statement to the Plenary pointed out that with respect to the funding of this programme we have a slightly different picture in mind. Perhaps I could briefly elucidate this, so as not to give rise to the impression that we object to the programme itself. We have some doubts as to the way the funding is being planned and proposed here. For basic considerations, we have always been against the setting up of special funds for specific purposes, in so far as it is not a matter of genuine trust funds. The setting up of special funds for a specific priority action on the part of FAO would, we feel, have a negative aspect on the transparence of the overall Programme of Work and Budget of FAO. We would much prefer to have all the basic work for the implementation of that programme financed from the regular budget of FAO, if necessary perhaps by delaying some less important tasks. The projects themselves should then find international funding bodies, particularly the UNDP, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Bank, together with bilateral donors. This is also the way we interpret paragraph 49 of document C 77/19; since that priority task, in so far as it has not been done, should be given priority within overall planning at country level, this kind of financing would hardly present any difficulties, I think.
With regard to the financing of the programme from the funds of the Suspense Account, we feel that we. should stick to the terms of reference of the Suspense Account funds as laid down in Resolution 35/75. Nevertheless we shall not oppose a consensus as to the initial financing of this programme, as my Minister has already pointed out. In our opinion such a financing, however, should not be a precedent for future programmes or approaches.
E. LINDSTEDT (Finland): Mr. Chairman, first I want to join in congratulating you on your election as Chairman of this Commission as well as the other office holders.
My delegation considers the Secretariat's report to be a sincere effort in assessing the importance of the problem of pre- and post-harvest food losses. Since we all agree that any effort to increase rapidly total food supplies is necessary, preventing loss is the fastest way to increase the total food supply, since the food has already been produced. The Secretariat's report gives a comprehensive description of the magnitude of the problem and I should like to mention just a few points which we consider are of importance.
First, many delegations have stressed the importance of action on the farm and village level and my delegation considers this to be the right point of departure in tackling the problem. The organization of work done by farmers' cooperatives must be brought up in this context, as mentioned by the delegate of Denmark.In our opinion, farmers do not want to see the products of their labour wasted, but they must have an adequate incentive to make an extra effort in preventing food losses.
A final point: the importance of education of the individual farmer and his family must be pointed out in preventing food losses in households where perishable food is handled, to improve the nutritional and health conditions of rural families.
A. BAOUA (Niger): La Delegation du Niger tient tout d'abord à vous adresser ainsi qu'aux autres membres du bureau tcutes ses félicitations pour vos brillantes élections â la tete d'une si importante Commission. Elle souhaite ensuite la bienvenue parmi nous aux huit nouveaux membres à part entière de notre Organi sation.
Par ailleurs, la Délégation de mon pays qui, déjà, a appuyé les efforts du Directeur général aux sessions précédentes du Conseil pour son esprit de redynamisation de la FAO, attache un intérêt tout particulier au programme d'action visant è réduire les pertes avant et après récolte des produits alimentaires de base. Cette action va en effet de pair avec les politiques nationales d'accroissement de la production agricole et de l'établissement d'un équilibre vivrier entre les régions d'un pays donné.
En prenant pour exemple mon pays, ces pertes représentent après récolte seulement 10 è 20 pour cent de notre production totale en céréales de base, soit environ 10 pour cent des besoins globaux annuels de notre population, les réduire se traduirait inévitablement par un surcroît quantitatif et qualitatif en vivres au profit des producteurs et de l'Etat lui-même.
Il est inutile ici de mettre en relief tous les avantages que nous procurera la mise à exécution d'un tel programme. Ma délégation se bornera seulement à attirer l'attention de cette auguste assemblée sur le caractère très aléatoire de notre agriculture sous les méfaits conjugués des ravageurs de récoltes et des aléas climatiques. L'intérêt d'une substantielle économie en vivres s'impose donc à nous.
C'est pourquoi ma délégation cautionne â nouveau ce programme. Elle souscrit également à la double proposition de créer un Fonds spécial pour prévenir ces pertes sous toutes leurs formes et d'y trans férer à titre de contribution initiale, un montant de 10 millions de dollars à prélever sur nos comptes d'attente 1976-77 en attendant les contributions volontaires. Ceci dans le souci de permettre au Directeur général de démarrer son programme d'action sans aucune contrainte financière.
N. SALTAS (Greece): Mr Chairman, first of all I wish on behalf of my delegation to extend you our con gratulations on your election as Chairman of this Commission. I would like also to congratulate the Vice-chairmen on their election. Finally, I express appreciation to the Secretariat for the preparation of document C 77/19 presented to us.
The Greek delegation would like to reiterate its great interest in the issue of food losses and its conviction that the conclusions of this Commission will lead to the implementation of the appropriate activities in order to enable the Conference to tackle this problem effectively. The Greek delegation fully recognizes the efforts of FAO in this field and believes that this Organization should further define precisely all aspects of the problem, determine the objectives and actions that must be under taken by ínteres ted: countries, FAO itself and other international organizations involved in this subject, and indicate the level of the required resources in the framework of the activities already undertaken as well as of those that are further required to diminish food losses before, during and after harvest. The magnitude of this problem, as well as the difficulties which arise for its successful confrontation, are well recognized by all. They consist mainly in lack of information, infrastructure and finance. It is a really difficult issue which must be contemplated in a wider social and sometimes political concept.
We believe that all developed countries should assist in solving the problem by providing as much technical assistance as possible. Developed countries must support directly thenational, food storing, transforming and preserving organizations of the countries that need such support. In particular, as regards pre-harvest food losses, we believe that they could be prevented to a certain extent if the necessary means of production were provided in time to the farmers, the efficient application of which is closely related to their level of training. Consequently FAO's contribution to the prevention of pre-harvest food losses depends upon the effectiveness of its activities, namely those related to agri cultural training, use of fertilizers and pesticides, extensive use of improved seeds and plants, and so on, which should be expanded.
Prevention of food losses during harvest, and especially those of post-harvest, is also quite promising in increasing food supplies, as relevant studies have so far proved. We fully support the priorities given to reduce post-harvest losses, the strategy and the Action Programme presented in document C 77/19 and hope that this programme will contribute significantly in achieving the target of a 50 percent reduc tion of post-harvest losses of cereals by 1985. FAO's Action Programme on Reducing Post-Harvest Losses must, therefore, be flexible in order to face, adjusted as necessary, even special needs. All interested countries, mainly those most seriously affected by food losses, must be assisted by FAO for a rational attack on the problem. Training at all levels in food handling technology and practices after harvesting is considered to be an issue of high importance. The strategy of tackling the problem
and the proposals of the Director-General concerning the mechanism of implementation of the Action Programme and the criteria required for the approval of all projects to be financed are welcomed by my delegation. We consider that they will contribute to the effective solution of the problem and serve mainly the developing countries.
In Greece, great efforts have been made towards an effective attack on the problem of food losses and in general of agricultural products. A considerable part of the increase of crop supplies realized during the last two decades is due to the efficient utilization of certain means of production, especially of fertilizers, pesticides and improved seeds that have been made available to the farmers.
A significant effort has been made during recent years in creating the necessary infrastructure for Improving food storage and preservation conditions through the public investment programme which will contribute remarkably to the reduction of post-harvest food losses.
As regards cereals, the construction of horizontal and vertical type warehouses is in progress which, it is anticipated, will meet the needs of the country's storage facilities. Furthermore, efforts have been made to meet the country's need for cold storage facilities and the transportation of perishable goods. All these are being established in the main areas of production in the country.
A.A. MANSOOR (Bahrain) (interpretation from Arabic): May I also congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, on your election to the Chair of this Commission.
No one can deny the Importance of this item on the agenda which is now under-discussion and the positive effects of a solution to the problem. Most of the previous speakers have discussed the problem in all its details and I think that I have nothing further to add to such details. In spite of this, may I make one or two.points.
First of all, the creation of plans, programmes and organizations will not serve the cause of agricul ture and food production in the world whatever dispositions are made. We always run the risk of falling into the trap of duplicating efforts between organizations.
The prevention of food losses, as recorded in document C 77/19, is vital for everybody. But does the existence of the programme Itself mean that we will necessarily be able to fulfil the objectives we have recorded for ourselves ? Will webe able to get rid of the destruction by pests before, during and after harvests ? If it is as easy as this, then certainly it is the duty of FAO to mobilize all efforts to implement such programmes.
But we must increase food production also. Within these programmes or projects the requisite priorities must be defined. As far as we are concerned, the number one priority is staple foodstuffs. Here we believe that a number of countries have already begun to implement programmes to reduce food losses. Each country already has a certain number of results which are extremely useful to other countries. But countries which are now involved in trying to make further efforts, if they are conscious of the full importance of the question, could obtain the aid of this Organization. But we also know from following discussions here that the awareness and the importance of the problem is not general enough. For this reason our delegation agrees with the Saudi Arabian delegation in saying that the creation of a Special Fund to deal with this vital problem is not enough and may in effect lead to a duplication of activities between organizations. But even if the FAO can in itself cover all the necessary activities, it is not necessary to set up a Special Fund and to take $10 million from the Suspense Account so that the $10 million can serve the same objectives, which are those aimed at in the ordinary budget.
The way in which to implement the objectives is fairly clear but we think that the shortest cut could be taken in order to fulfil the objectives as quickly as possible.
Opinions do not always coincide and those which have been expressed in this forum are not such that I can relatemy own opinion to all of them.
A. SHAHAWI (Libya) (interpretation from Arabic): Mr. Chairman, may I also congratulate you on your election to the Chair of this Commission, and also the Vice-Chairmen.
I also thank the Director-General for having expounded on the problem with which we are dealing in a new and extremely well-founded way.
The whole problem is to increase food production, including the prevention of food losses, pre-harvest, during the harvest and post-harvest.
As far as this point on the agenda goer which we are now discussing in this Commission, although most of the documents got to our delegation too late, we have nevertheless tried to study the documents involved. I have given particular attention to document C 77/19, which was given to us in English. It would have been much easier for me if I had got this document somewhat earlier - and in Arabic -so as to study it and to be able to give my point of view with greater definitiveness. I hope that this will not occur again.
It seems that the essential objective in this document is to prevent food losses either pre, during or post-harvest. I agree with the explanations given in the document, which indicate that any means of preventing food losses will of course increase food production in net terms.
Let us emphasize the importance of making consumers aware of this factor so that the level of production is not attended by consequent wastage and the consumption of production takes place in the most reasonable way possible. I fully agree with the representative of the International Federation for Home Economics who has pointed this out, as have other delegates.
As far as the contribution of national programmes goes, these programmes also are destined to prevent food losses at all stages of the food production chain.
I would add that what we are doing in our country more,or less corresponds with what is described in the document. Since the setting up of the National Resources Office, a national planning policy" has" been defined and implemented so as to reduce losses in all areas.
We have also set up training courses and seminars for farmers, particularly the small farmers. The aim of these programmes and plans is to obtain the maximum benefit from food production and to define a clear import and export policy for all foodstuffs so as to benefit from what we have available.
The National Office pursues the same objectives in cooperation with the National Food Bureau, and with cooperation from FAO experts who work with our own national staff. In this context a project is being implemented with the help of the FAO.
My country is not content with its national activities but is also a participant in the creation of a regional centre for the Near East. Libya has offered headquarters to this Organization. This Near East Centre also intends to organize training programmes and seminars. It will begin its activities as soon as the necessary dispositions can be made.
I hope that I have not spoken for too long but I did wish to give just a brief, simplified idea of the activities which are underway in our country and those which we plan in order to solve the problem which is vital for us - this whole problem of the reduction of heavy food losses. We cooperate with all bodies which are working in the field of agriculture in the widest sense of the term. We are also carrying out programmes within the whole context of the effort being deployed by the international com munity to improve the world food situation.
I would like to add my voice to those which have been raised in this house in asking that other products of a non-foodstuff nature should be covered by the programme, so that the prevention of food losses should not appear only on food programmes but on non-foodstuff projects.
With regard to the Special Fund to finance these activities, we believe that this proposal is a reason able one, but we also believe that the activities may well take place within the context of the ordinary programme of the Organization, seeing that there are divergencies of opinion concerning the financing. I am sure it will be possible to find a consensus later in the day when we are in agreement on the procedure to be followed.
EL PRESIDENTE: Luego de efectuar algunas consultas, las máximas que hemos podido realizar, hemos llegado a una conclusion con la integración del Comité de Redacción que va a preparar el anteproyecto del Informe que luego disuctiremos en el seno de la Comisión y después pasará al Plenario de la Confencia.
Los países que integrarán este Comité son los siguientes: Australia, Bélgica, Benin, Brasil, Canada, Cuba, Filipinas, Hungría, Irán, Japón, Kenya, Pakistán y Túnez. La Presidencia del Comité, a mi juicio, debe estar a cargo de la delegación de Bélgica.
J. TROUVEROY (Belgique): Merci de me donner la parole. J'apprends avec étonnement que vous me confiez la présidence de ce Comité de rédaction. Je suis très heureux d'etre membre du Comité de rédaction, mais, quant à la présidence, on ne m'en a pas parlé. Nous verrons peut-être lors de la première réunion du Comité ce que nous pourrons faire à ce sujet, car je ne suis pas sûr de demeurer à Rome tput le temps de la Conférence.
EL PRESIDENTE: Yo entendí que su delegación había sido consultada y que la propuesta de presidir el Comité había sido aceptada; pero, si usted tiene alguna dificultad, podemos revisar esa decisión. Por supuesto que no le vamos a obligar a que asuma la Presidencia, si no es de su conveniencia.
K.N.. WEERACKODY (Sri Lanka): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving my delegation an opportunity to speak on this vital subject of the prevention of food losses. It ts, indeed, very opportune that the attention of FAO has bo.en focussed and sharpened on this crucial matter during this year's Conference, because we feel this is an area where no meaningful and concrete practical action programmes have occurred so far, although it has been a subject which has been on the agenda of many FAO meetings and other bodies. Indeed, it is farcical and paradoxical that while we are increasing food production both by expanding the extent of cultivation and by increasing yields in existing cultivated areas at great expense, a fair share of the increased production goes to the pests, rodents, insects and birds and not to human beings.
We have carefully read document C 77/19, and we consider it a well thought out and comprehensive paper. We are in agreement with the Action Programme proposed in it and with the proposal to set up a Fund financed partly from monies available under the Suspense Account. We fully endorse the sentiment expressed by the Director-General in his statement to the Conference that we should not lose the prospect of implementing immediately a practical and concrete programme because of objections that may be raised to the proposed method of funding the programme by what the Director-General calls financial doctrinaires.
H.A. QABAZARD) (Kuwait) (interpretation from Arabic): The Kuwait delegation joins with those who have already congratulated you, Mr. Chairman, and the Vice-Chairmen for having been elected to guide the work of this Commission. We should like also to thank the FAO Secretariat for their very careful preparation of the documents beforeus.
We should like to voice our total support, together with countries who have spoken previously, for the proposal that priority must be given to this programme aimed at prevention of food losses at the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages. We are fully convinced of the benefits that would result from this whole operation, and it is our opinion that we should support the proposals made by most of the coun tries who have spoken in favour of introducing other food products such as fishery products and animal products, including all of these in the overall prevention programme.
Lastly, we wish to state that the lack of information with respect to the setting up of this Fund might perhaps be the reason for the confusion on this particular point. Therefore, we should like to suggest that an attempt be made to follow the lines contained in the proposal for that Fund, to avoid overlapping and to avoid the setting up of an independent fund, at least for this particular period.
G.P. TIGGELMAN (Netherlands): First of all, I should like to express my delegation's appreciation for the presentation of a strategy for the prevention of food losses, particularly those that occur after harvest. We believe that a comprehensive programme is proposed in the document for all FAO member countries, and it is a good specific action programme for FAO. We accept this strategy and the Action Programme. I think it will result in a group of activities that could contribute considerably to the improvement of food supplies for millions of people. However, thinking particularly of the donor countries, in order to be able to prepare adequate programmes and projects in cooperation with reci pient countries we believe that FAO must help to focus bilateral aid for the prevention of food losses.
We hope we are embarking on a programme for a number of years, and we would appreciate it if the Secretariat pays particular attention to the collection and distribution of relevant information on the reduction of post-harvest losses: more detailed information about the magnitude of post-harvest losses, the loes assessment methodology, the financial resources that are necessary for reducing the losses, information on ongoing and planned projects, and a list of available literature on post-harvest techno logies and the possibilities for the reduction of food losses in the various phases of the post-harvest system.
With a well organized flow of information, cooperation will be possible, maximum results can be achiev ed, and the initial FAO programmes will stimulate further assistance and investment.
As far as the FAO Action Programme is concerned, we agree with the chosen element and the proposed concentration on specific countries and a rural pool in those countries. We agree also with the establishment of a central unit for the execution of the programme, and the coordination of programme activities with the activities of other FAO departments. It is expected that close cooperation is foreseen between this new unit and the integrated pest\ control programme on the one hand and the food security assistance unit on the other.
We agree with the establishment of a Special Fund, and my Government, is prepared to contribute to the Fund in two ways: via the Suspense Account, if an acceptable arrangement is found, and an extra contribution of $ 2 million for the programme. We do this in the light of the great significance of the proposed strategy - if it succeeds in cutting grain losses by 50 percent, wewill have 40 million tons of food more and also because of the necessity to start the FAO Action Programme as soon as possible.
My government would also appreciate it if we can work out any arrangement in such a way that my government is drawn into the execution and selection of the projects.
We also hope that sufficient measures will be taken which lead to a fruitful cooperation at the country level between the recipient country, the UNDP, the resident representative, and multilateral and bilateral donors active in the field of reduction of post-harvest losses in countries.
A.A.R. AL MAASOM (United Arab Emirates) (interpretation from Arabic): On behalf of my delegation I should like to congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, on your election as Chairman of this Commission. In addition, I congratulate the four Vice-Chairmen and other members of the Bureau.
My country supports the principle of prevention of food losses, but provided that all action is under taken in the context of such international programmes as already exist, the World Food Programme and the Cooperative Programme.
D.J.A. SIRLEAF (Liberia): I should like to join other delegates in congratulating you, Mr. Chairman, on your election and those holding other leadership posts in this important Commission.
I do not want to be presumptuous or to jump the 'gun, but it can be justly said that all food-producing countries of the world are well aware of the pre-hacvest and post-harvest losses incurred over a pro duction period, whether in developed or developing countries. There is a marked difference in the rate or percentage of these losses as they affect the national economies and the gross national product of each country.
We in the developing countries have been victimized by that impediment over a period of years, and now, through the magnanimity óf thè Secretariat and the timely presentation of this] document by the Director-General, we have been motivated into action towards solving one of our major developmental-problems.
The Government of, Liberia, having expressed its desire to become self-sufficientinrice, production, its staple food, by 1980, would like to express its unequivocal support for the proposal set forth in , document C 77/19, and we should like to stress the urgent need for its speedy implementation.
C. NTSANE (Lesotho): Mr. Chairman, you and your assistants have been congratulated and expressions of welcome have been made, and my delegation concurs.
The proposal for discussion of this topic by the Director-General has added a new (dimension to the aid fund development scene. This discussion will remind both developed and developing countries of the embarrassing implications of aid and action programmes in terms of loss incurred in development investment processes. Our careful examination of this topic will reveal that in fact loss of food as a resource is one among many losses that we never take note of. Perhaps the answer\ to the problems attendant on the implementation of the proposed programme lies in our economizing' at every stage on all that it takes to cooperate in development and the resolution of the problems of the needy Member nations. The Canadian intervention this morning most effectively conveyed this message.
Finally, the point has been made by the Director-General and well taken by us that while he gets on with the job with our concurrence and support it is for all of us to go back home and actively reflect on the true meaning of document C 77/19,
A.B. WILLIAMS-BAFFOE (Ghana) ; While I add the voice of my delegation ito the previous speakers in congra tulating you, Mr. Chairman, for your appointment to the Chairmanship of this Commission, I would like to say Ghana not only supports the food process through all types of planning but will also request that full support be given to the implementation of the Action Programme as proposed.
My delegation is mindful of the fact that FAO is aware of {agencies and countries that have already engaged themselves seriously with this crucial problem. We strongly feel that some form of coopera tion must be worked out between FAO and these agencies who are already in the field and have undoub tedly gathered some useful experience that could invariably go a long way in enhancing the programme so far proposed. It is however realized that a lot of research work and practical approaches have been carried out in this field of which some meaningful results have already been achieved and can therefore be put to use almost immediately.
In this connection my delegation supports the creation of this Special Fund and trusts that at least one meaningful workshop will be organized as suggested by the delegate of the Philippines. Such a workshop should not only consolidate all research work and finance obtained in this important field of prevention of food losses, but should also serve as a springboard for that programme.
M. NGA-MA (Zaire): Ma delegation voudrait joindre sa voix à celle des orateurs qui ont pris la paro le avant nous pour vous féliciter de votre élection en qualité de président de cette commission. Nous félicitons également le secrétariat d'avoir bien esquissé le problème des pertes de produits alimen taires et d'avoir envisagé cette question au niveau de tous les produits alimentaires. En effet, la délégation de mon pays serait quelque peu désolée si les études entreprises par la FAO au sujet de la stratégie à adopter pour réduire les pertes des produits alimentaires dans les pays en développement ne se limitaient qu'aux céréales vivrières; non pas que les céréales vivrières ne soient pas consom mées dans mon pays, mais plutôt que les aliments de base chez nous, de par l'étendue du pays et la diversité des groupements humains, comprennent, outre les céréales, les racines et tubercules, notam ment le manioc. En effet, ainsi que nous l'avons déclaré lors de la quatrième session du Comité de l'agriculture, le manioc constitue l'un des principaux, aliment s de base dans nos pays et c'est pour quoi ma délégation propose que les listes des éléments des programmes nationaux en vue de réduire les pertes des produits alimentaires autres que les céréales, tel que cela est dit au paragraphe 22 du document C 77/19, ma délégation propose donc que ces listes soient établies dans un délai plus bref et qu'elles soient portées à la connaissance des pays intéressés. Tout en étant d'accord avec ce qui est dit au paragraphe 33 du document, c'est-à-dire en ce qui concerne la nécessité de calculer au préalable le rapport coût/bénéfice avant d'entamer un projet nécessitant de gros investissements et ayant pour but la réduction des pertes alimentaires, nous pensons qu'il faudrait considérer ce rap port coût//bénéfice dans le temps, c'est-à-dire à long terme, de sorte que peut-être, au début d'un tel projet si on enregistre des résultats négatifs au point de vue de la rentabilité il se peut qu'à la longue on finisse par réaliser des bénéfices.
Quant aux critères utilisés pour l'approbation des projets soumis dans le cadre du Fonds spécial pour la réduction des pertes alimentaires dont il est question au paragraphe 47 du document C 77/19, nous convenons que la priorité doit aller aux besoins des pays moinst développés et le, plus gravement touchés.
Mais toutefois, nous pensons que l'on devrait ajouter à cette liste ceux des pays en développement qui n'ont pu être retenus ni comme pays moins avancés, ni comme pays gravement touchés, mais qui sont enclavée et où les problèmes de transport et autres se posent avec acuité.
Pour terminer, ma Délégation appuie non seulement la recommandation qui a été faite au sujet de la création d'un Fonda spécial pour la réduction des pertes alimentaires, mais également la façon dont ce Fonds doit être financé tel que cela est proposé au paragraphe 52 alinéas a) et b) du documenté C 77/19 et nous nous associons aux nombreuses délégations qui se sont exprimées en faveur de l'adoption du projet de résolution préparé à cette fin.
D.C.P. EVANS (United Kingdom) : Mr. Chairman, may I start by expressing my congratulations and felicita tions on your election as Chairman of this Commission, and indeed to your four Vice-Chairmen colleagues.
The paper before us, C 77/19, is very similar to the one which FAO presented to the COAG meeting in April this year and which was subsequently discussed at the 71st Session of the Council. The present FAO target of a 50 percent reduction in food losses by 1985 is a very ambitious one and perhaps a little over optimistic, but the priorities of the paper are we think very sensible indeed. We would like to make one or two points on the paper itself.
It is sensible to base our long-term strategies on improvements to existing structures rather than opt for costly new innovations. In this respect the projects outlined for the Action Programme are perhaps a little unbalanced. Of the $25 million estimated total resources required, 20.5 million is directed towards large stores, drying and milling facilities. The priority in the rural sector, however, is for improvement in small farmers' storage methods, including pest control. Since it is at the subsistence level that the most immediate impact needs to be made - and many delegations have made a point of this -there is perhaps a case for re-allocating certain monetary resources. Similarly, training ought to focus on the smaller farmer to create an awareness of the importance of post-harvest loss and ways to reduce it. There is a tendency in rural communities for these to be accepted as a fact of life. This must be changed if a successful Action Programme is to be achieved.
One important constraint which was discussed at some length in COAG and which will need to be taken seriously into account when implementing the Action Programme, is the urgent need of training personnel in techniques for prevention of harvest and post-harvest loss. A number of delegations have also made a point of this. We are, for example, informed that even with existing programmes there is a serious shortage of international experts from the developed countries as well as scientists and extension workers in the developing countries to take up the theme proposed in this paper. When the FAO Programme gets under way over the next year or two this situation will be very seriously exacerbated. The delegate from France has already made comments about GASGA. We support what he has to say in this context.As we understand it from this paper, the programme is obviously a long-term one if it is going to be successful. In the initial stage it already involves the Regular Programme at a minimum cost as a means of increasing the effectiveness and extent of the existing field programme. The proposed programme for the prevention of food loss will be one which, firstly, emphasizes the staple crops of food grains, roots and tubers in the early stage. I emphasize that term "early stage". Secondly, it is intended as a catalyst for further action through agencies such as UNDP, FAO itself and the bilateral agencies. Thirdly, it stresses training in all projects, otherwise there will be repeated failure. Fourthly, it includes post-harvest loss assessment, not as an academic exercise but to arrive at a rational judgement. Fifthly, it includes model projects solely as concrete examples of the kind of action which individual countries might request. The programme will respond to appropriate requests of Member Countries for justified assistance to prevent food losses in the early stages and in the later long-term programme.
We judge from the paper that there is obviously a desire, and indeed from what has been said here today, for the programme to be flexible in order to meet the special needs of countries in preventing food losses. We suggest nothing in the current proposal prohibits this, and FAO should endeavour to meet these special needs.
Finally, on the question of financing, the UK delegation firmly supports the sentiments which have already been expressed by distinguished delegates, among others of Japan, Canada, the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany.
M. ZUHUR (Syria) (interpretation from Arabic): May I be allowed to congratulate you on being elected Chairman of this important Commission together with the four Vice-Chairmen. The problem of Prevention of Food Losses is a crucial one which requires in-depth scrutiny and also requires decisions to be taken with a view to solving the problems - decisions to be taken at international, national and regional levels. Moreover, prevention of food losses should be part of a many-pronged approach - pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest, and these operations can be put into applied programmes. We feel furthermore that training and expansion work should be given some degree of priority in the context of solutions to be sought on this problem.
We support the setting up of the Special Fund as the form of financing the programme.
L, LAPEBY (Gabon); Aucune delegation n'a mis en cause l'importance du problème des pertes après recolte. Aucune délégation n'a mis en cause le programme proposé par le Directeur général.Il y a certains amendements, certaines approches qu'il faut peut-être ajouter. C'est dire que le consensus est unanime.
Mais quelques pays et particulièrement les pays matériellement riches mettent en cause la proposition du Directeur général visant à permettre au programme de démarrer le plus rapidement possible, se referent en cela aux dispositions constitutionnelles, notamment des problèmes mineurs de procédure.
Je voudrais rappeler ici qu'au cours de la dernière Session du Conseil de la FAO, mon pays a fait une proposition à laquelle aucune délégation n'a fait objection et qui figure dans le rapport du Conseil. Il s'agit en l'occurrence de faire procéder à une étude des dispositions du règlement financier de notre Organisation pour l'adapter à la conjoncture internationale actuelle qui n'a aucune relation avec celle qui prévalait au moment où ces dispositions ont été rédigées.
Cette proposition va dans le sens de la restructuration de la FAO et de son adaptation aux problèmes que non seulement la Conférence, mais d'autres organisations internationales et la Conférence des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation qui s'est tenue en 1974 à Rome, ont mis en relief.
Le règlement financier actuel a été rédigé par les pays matériellement riches alors qu'ils avaient encore le droit de décider aux lieu et place de nombreux membres de notre organisation. La situation a changé depuis et il n'est que logique que le Comité financier entreprenne une étude des dispositions de l'époque coloniale pour faire des propositions correspondant à la situation actuelle.
En 1975 c'est la Conférence qui a pris une résolution créant ce compte d'attente. Je ne peux pas penser un seul instant que cette même instance ne puisse prendre,en ce qui concerne le Fonds spécial,une résolution permettant de virer le reliquat du compte d'attente au Fonds spécial des pertes après récolte.
Le Directeur général a fait à la dernière session du Conseil, à la Conférence et à la Commission I des exposés qui ont été appréciés par tous.
Il n'est point question, eu égard à l'importance du programme, de se limiter aux 10 millions de dollars que les pays matériellement riches ne veulent pas considérer, se référant en cela, je le répète, aux dispositions du règlement financier, comme une contribution volontaire.Et pourtant, c'est la contri bution la plus largement volontaire que j'aie jamais connue car chaque pays membre de la FAO, par le biais de ce transfert proposé, apporterait une contribution volontaire si le principe était acquis.
Par ailleurs, le Directeur général n'a jamais, à aucun moment, dit que ces 10 millions de dollars seraient suffisants.Le seul souci qui l'anime dans cette heureuse proposition,dont mieux que chacun de nous le Directeur général a pesé les conséquences, est avant tout de pouvoir mettre le plus rapidement possible en oeuvre le programme des pertes après récolte, si important, et dont au cours de la séance plénière il avait donné la dimension.
Il n'est nullement dans l'intention du Directeur général, au travers de ce souci dynamique et actif, de limiter les ressources financières, qu'il s'agisse des Etats Membres volontaires, qu'il s'agisse des organisations multilatérales ou internationales qui existent déjà.
La situation actuelle me rappelle celle qui a prévalu à la création du Programme de coopération technique. Certains pays matériellement riches avaient accueilli le PCT avec des réserves assez tonnelles, leur position a énormément varié en très peu de temps devant l'impact de ce programme.
Pour toutes les raisons qui précèdent, je n'en oublierai pas une : la possibilité éventuelle de suspendre les dispositions du règlement financier pour éliminer les craintes, les soucis, les difficultés de certains pays matériellement riches à accepter la proposition du Directeur général,et je pense quella présente session au lieu d'avancer et de reculer à la fois et en même temps, ce qui ne serait pas à l'honneur des représentants des pays membres, pourrait être une simple décision pour la résolution qui nous a été proposée.
Si j'ai fait mention de la suspension éventuelle des dispositions du règlement financier derrière lesquelles certains pays matériellement riches se réfugient, c'est parce que ce ne serait pas la première fois et la seule que,pour des raisons évidentes et logiques,la Conférence aurait suspendu des parties de dispositions des textes fondamentaux de l'Organisation pour prendre une décision.
Pour terminer, je voudrais souhaiter cependant que nous n'en arriverons pas là et qu'un consensus raisonné interviendra dans le sens du projet de résolution que le Conseil a accepté de transmettre à la présente session de la Conférence.
Β. KOUNDIANO (Guinée): Permettez-moi tout d'abord de vous féliciter moi aussi pour votre élection à la présidence de notre Commission.
M. le Président, la prévention des pertes alimentaires est une question qui mérite à l'heure actuelle toute notre attention.
La question est vraiment d'importance à en juger même par l'intérêt qu'elle suscite depuis le début de nos débats.
A ce stade donc, M. le Président, je voudrais vous éviter de répéter ce que d'autres ont déjà dit et que je voulais dire.
Ma délégation exprime son appui sans réserve au programme préconisé par le Directeur général et contenu dans le document C 77/19.
Nous sommes d'accord pour la création du fonds spécial et pour son démarrage dans les meilleurs délais.
S. QUIJANO-CABALLERO (Naciones Unidas): Le agradezco que me haya dado la palabra en este momento, que le había solicitado fuera hacia el final del debate, y ante todo, quisiera felicitar a usted y a los Vicepresidentes por la elección para dirigir este importante Comité.
La prevención de la pérdidas de alimentos, lejos de ser únicamente de interés técnico o sectorial es un asunto que interesa a la comunidad internacional en su totalidad.
El distinguido Relator, al iniciar el presente debate ya se refirió a la declaración. del Subsecretario General de las Naciones Unidas encargado de los asuntos interagencia y de coordinación, Sr. NARASIMHAN al dirigirse recientemente a la Plenaria de esta Conferencia y durante la cual hizo resaltar el interés que la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas acuerda a la lucha contra las pérdidas en los alimentos.
Ha sido un verdadero privilegio para mí el asistir a este importante debate durante el cual se ha logrado pasar del estado de una larga preocupación general, prácticamente a la iniciación de un efectivo programa de acción basado en las propuestas concretas del Director General de la FAO, Sr. Saouma; y permítame, Sr. Presidente, de expresar por su intermedio a esta Conferencia y al Director General el apoyo y el interés personal que el Secretario de las Naciones Unidas, Sr. Waldheim acuerda a este importante programa.
Este programa de dimensiones mundiales trasciende, como he dicho, de los límites sectoriales o técnicos y se puede decir que constituye un importante aporte al concepto del Nuevo Orden Económico Internacional e incluso a la protección de los derechos humanos.
Cualquiera que sea la fórmula que la Conferencia decida adoptar para la financiación, como lo ha dicho el Director General, documento C 77/19, el programa será realizado con la expresa colaboración de otros organismos y donantes. Además, las numerosas intervenciones que las distinguidas delegaciones han hecho durante este debate y de las cuales hemos tomado debida nota, Sr. Presidente, han demostrado los múltiples aspectos de este importante y complejo programa.Es lógico, pues, que las Organizaciones de las Naciones Unidas en sus diferentes sectores, o en el Sistema de las Naciones Unidas como se suele llamar, deben y pueden prestar por intermedio de mecanismos de coordinación, una importante colaboración y apoyo a la FAO para el éxito del Programa.
Quiero reiterar, señor Presidente, que las Naciones Unidas seguirán con mucho interés los desarrollos en la realización de este importante Programa y quiero agregar que este interés será práctico y concreto.
EL PRESIDENTE:Con el último orador hemos agotado la lista que teníamos para hoy. Ahora voy a dar la palabra al Subdirector General- Jefe del Departamento de Agricultura, Profesor Bommer, quien, seguramente, quiere comentar las intervenciones que hemos escuchado durante esta sesión.
D.F.R. BOMMER (Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department):First of all, I wish on behalf of the Director-General to express our deep appreciation for the overwhelming support we have received in this discussion for the programme on Prevention of Food Losses.I think the very numerous opinions made a valuable contribution to our further formulation of this programme and to its implementation.
The information we have received of on-going programmes in countries, specifically in the developing countries, is likewise very valuable for this purpose. This overwhelming support for the programme, and I should say at the same time for the fund to finance this programme, I feel are at the same time a commitment expressed by those countries having taken the floor,and the others as well, to collab orate strongly on the programme of this Organization, and as expressed by one of the delegates, in their own countries strongly to support or develop respective programmes as expressed in the document, to fight against the tremendous losses we face with food commodities.
I would like to make a few short comments on some of the issues raised.
I think the most important one was raised in relation to the priorities set; specifically the Minister of Agriculture of Canada raised the question and asked for the priorities.I was sorry he could not have listened to the very able statement of the United Kingdom delegate, summarizing these priorities as expressed in the paper, in which we say that in the early stages we should concentrate, otherwise priorities are meaningless, on staple foods, food grains, root and tuber crops, which later on does not exclude activities in perishables, but to take everything at once would weaken the programme and the impact we are trying to make in countries of need.This covers a number of comments made and questions raised in expanding this programme to tackle important perishables, including fish.
I should make it clear at the same time that the ongoing programme of FAO is already engaged in all these fields and our collaboration between the various departments and divisions concerned already makes sure that the view of the total question of food losses is not lost behind the specific effort we are trying to make for the first years on staple food. COAG as expressed clearly in the paper and in the discussion, will review this programme and certainly will redirect its nature if the programme demonstrates that to be necessary.
Other important points mentioned and questions raised related to the coordination of the Secretariat's functions. A question was specifically asked by the delegate of France.I can only confirm his view that the budget allocation in the regular programme for the increase is meant to cover the expenses for the Secretariat as described by him of three professionals and the necessary working means which are necessary to launch missions, to make assessments and similar activities which are necessary as base functions for the programme as envisaged. We should realize at the same time that all regional offices in the meantime will be equippe'd, after the approval of the Conference, with repective officers who will be part of the total effort and we see at the same time the newly established country offices of FAO and our country representation as the arm in the countries which will certainly make it easier to define projects and to follow up the activities in various countries.I can assure you that the coordination which is already very fruitful with more or less all groups working in the field through our Organization will be further strengthened and we shall have specific dialogues with those which would expect to take specific follow-up action. We have started such a specific dialogue, for instance, with the World Bank and its initiatives in this field in which we see that investment follow-up to the catalytic action of our Action Programme will be a necessity in many cases.Other negotiations of this kind will certainly follow with IFAD and we have already a great interest in the UNDP but, more important, each country in requesting assistance from the UNDP should try and make post-harvest loss reduction programmes its own high priority.
Specific stress was laid that this programme should serve the poor farm population, the small farmer, and this is expressed in our document, and at the same time that the structures, for instance, recom mended for storage, should be made from indigenous material, from local material, and should be cheap and simple.
In this connection, I should like to thank China for hosting and serving a group of our experts which has just returned from that country and studying the simple means and possibilities in China and to see how it can be used with experience for other countries to implement, in addition, to have the knowledge and information. Specific stress has been laid on the exchange of information and the channelling of information. We are already very active in this field but will give serious consideration to how to improve this further out of regular programme activities in which we might think of giving a specific information flow to the ongoing projects and to the countries concerned.Specifically I would mention here that AGRIS in its second phase has a possibility to come up with oriented documentation and bibliographies in the field of post-harvest losses.
We are grateful for the various specific offers made to host-workshops or provide training facilities by the Philippines, France and other countries and certainly we can make use of those very gracious offers.
On the other side, listening to the discussion it seemed to me that many delegates may have overlooked the tremendous activities in seminars that we have had in the past and even recently this year. One was hosted very successfully in Malaysia for the Asian region but others have been operated before and
certainly we will continue this type of information exchange which is absolutely necessary.But we certainly would not like to see the money and funds allocated for direct action in countries used too much for this purpose.
There was a specific question raised in a number of comments on the status of the national committees we have talked about, but I think the discussion has made it clear that in each country we shall have to take a different look and we have existing organizations, as announced, for many member countries which certainly are the right channels to be used.In other cases there would be a different set-up and the status would depend very much on the decisions of the respective governments as to how to locate such a coordination body for a national programme in its own country.
I think those are the most apparent points. The last is left over - that is the assurance that this pro gramme to combat post-harvest losses is closely integrated in this house with the assistance scheme in food security. Actually the people involved are to quite an extent identical in working on both pro grammes and certainly on the other side with the integrated pest management programme. Again the personnel direct relationship and responsibilities of the services of the Plant Protection Service is very valid to be mentioned. I can only assure you that all the possible means and internal structures are used to ensure full collaboration and coordination in the house as we will try this with the ongoing activ ities outside FAO in which we are active members.I can mention specifically GASCAR, which was mention ed twice by France and the United Kingdom, in which we are an active collaborator and which we will use to an even greater extent in the future than in the past for this ongoing programme, and the amount of documentation which has developed there and by its members, for instance, the Tropical Products Institute or the American institutions will be important inputs to the Programme, specifically on the question of crop loss assessment, stressed again as an important element in the complex activity envisaged.
I think the methodology developed in the United States institutions with the assistance of the USDA and the Tropical Products Institute are the basis we will use for the benefit of other member countries.
R. SARAN (India): I should like to seek clarification from the Secretariat regarding paragraph 57 of document C 77/19 where there is a reference to the projects to be financed under the proposed Special Fund. It is stated in that paragraph:
"Where appropriate, project requests will be submitted for implementation through FAO/Government Cooperative programmes or bilateral programmes. Close collaboration will be maintained with other agencies and donors to ensure that all projects in member countries contribute to the integrated action necessary to implement National Programmes."
This does not appear to be in line with the impression we got from the Director-General in his intervention in the Council a few days ago.The Director-General said that the Fund would be placed at the disposal of FAO, it would be a multilateral fund and projects would be submitted for implementation by countries concerned directly to FAO. Would the Secretariat therefore clarify whether this understanding is correct? It should be particularly clarified whether donors would be identified with any specific project.We are afraid that if projects are prepared bilaterally then submitted to FAO they will not have the character of multilaterally financed projects.
In seeking clarification on this specific issue I make it clear that we are not against, in fact we welcome, bilateral projects being developed but they should be over and above the projects to be financed under the FAO’s Action Programme.
D.F.R. BOMMER (ADG, AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT): I can only confirm that the Director-General's view of this is exactly as the delegate of India said in his last sentence.It is very clear that the programme has a catalytic function. These are the projects which the Director-General intends should be financed out of the $20 million funds - maybe more if the donors contributing to the funds decide to contribute even more- which is more or less a flexible amount of money which could be used on request and in the light of the major theme of this Programme.Certainly $20 million,compared with the size and magnitude of this problem is peanuts, a very small amount of money, which means with such first action in countries or a stimulating action which contributes to a national programme a number of follow-up activities and parallel activities will show up and we certainly are ready to assist in preparing these projects for the respective countries and in generating further assistance from bilateral programmes, in consultation with the respective bilateral sources or with necessary investment as I have just described, for instance, with the World Bank, through IF AD and others.We are only instrumental in trying to bring together the needs of the respective countries with possible assistance and financing through others, but through the total programme which we see in the core the
activities which go on through the fund financing, and we hope that a wide collaboration of a much larger resource flow will come forward to enable countries which need such assistance to implement fuller programmes of a longer duration. Continuation was mentioned by several speakers as a necessity and if we have envisaged that our programme to catalyze should have a duration of a maximum of two years, it is very clear that the continuation needs additional financing, which we would like to see coming from bilateral and other multilateral sources as described. This is the strong view of the Director-General and I hope that I have made it clear before in my statement.
EL PRESIDENTE: Veo que nadie más pide la palabra y en consecuencia quizá deba decir yo, o mejor dicho, hacer algunos breves comentarios. En primer lugar, quiero decir que la tarea de Presidente es realmente fácil cuando tiene la posibilidad de contar con la colaboración de un funcionario como el Profesor Bommer, porque él ha casi resumido el debate y me libera, diría así, de la carga que im plica muchas veces tratar de determinar líneas claras de tendencia, luego de haber escuchado alrededor de 70 intervenciones.
Sin perjuicio de ello, quizá podría yo agregar algo más para que pueda ser o no tenido en cuenta por el Comité de Redacción. En primer término, creo que lo que ha surgido muy claramente -y diría unánime mente- es la importancia crucial que todas las delegaciones han adjudicado a la necesidad de prevenir las pérdidas de alimentos, y asimismo creo que todos han coincidido en la urgencia de iniciar una ac ción en este sentido, por el impacto que ello podría tener para subvenir las necesidades alimenticias de la parte del mundo que aún está aquejada por una subalimentación. Creo asimismo que se ha puesto de manifiesto a través dé todas o casi todas las intervenciones que la documentación que se nos ha preparado para debatir este tema ha sido eficiente como para posibilitar una discusión que yo entiendo ha sido constructiva y en algunos aspectos exhaustiva. A mi entender, ha habido consenso o más bien que se aprecia una línea de tendencia neta en favor de la forma en que ha sido concebido o que se nos ha propuesto el documento del Plan de Acción para prevenir las pérdidas de alimentos.
Se ha señalado -y esto quizá convenga tenerlo presente- que es necesario contar con mayor información para poder determinar o evaluar lo más exactamente posible la magnitud de esas pérdidas, tanto en el orden cuantitativo como en el orden cualitativo, aunque ya tenemos algunas cifras provisionales que nos han indicado la importancia que tiene este problema.
Se ha señalado también la conveniencia de que cuando se inicie este Plan de Acción se ponga el asunto a nivel de pequeños agricultores y también a nivel de aldeas, indicándose asimismo que debe tratarse de un plan de acción que se desarrolle en el largo plazo, sin perjuicio de la urgencia de iniciarlo cuanto antes.
Igualmente se ha indicado que este plan de acción debería acompañarse con actividades comprendidas dentro del programa ordinario de la Organización. Y se ha indicado que el Plan de Acción que se nos presenta debería completarse y adecuarse a las particularidades de cada país y de cada región donde se aplique; es decir, que este Plan de Acción debería manejarse con alguna flexibilidad.
En cuanto a las prioridades, creo que las delegaciones han coincidido en apoyar las prioridades que se nos presentan en el documento básico que hemos tenido en cuenta para nuestras discusiones. Sin perjuicio de ello, creo que debemos tomar nota de que algunas delegaciones han solicitado la incorporación de otros productos: los productos pesqueros, inclusive productos agrícolas no alimenti cios, que estoy seguro podrán incorporarse al Plan en la medida en que el tiempo permita hacer frente a lo que es considerado como primera prioridad, es decir, tubérculos, cereales, etc., tal como consta en el documento.
Estimo que el debate en cierto modo ha reflejado o ha repetido lo que sucedió en el Consejo de la Orga nización en el Comité de Agricultura y que el consenso, o más bien diría la opinión, es unánime en cuanto a la necesidad de iniciar esta acción y en cuanto a la importancia que esta acción tiene.
Una gran mayoría de delegaciones se han expresado en favor de la constitución de un fondo especial pa ra financiar este Plan de Acción y se ha señalado que los 20 millones de dólares que se han previsto inicialmente son apenas una gota, como creo dijo la delegación de China, que luego deberá aumentarse en la medida en que la eficiencia de este Plan vaya demostrando la necesidad de contar con mayores recursos.
Algunas delegaciones han pensado que quizá estas actividades podrían desarrollarse dentro del programa ordinario de la Organización; pero ahora quisiera a este respecto hacer un comentario marginal, es de cir, no incorporándolo dentro del resumen, sino como una apreciación personal, y es que a través de la asistencia a muchas reuniones en esta casa, recuerdo que en el último tiempo la mayoría de las delegaciones han reclamado de la FAO un papel más activo en la solución de los problemas de la alimentación
y los problemas del desarrollo de la agricultura, y ese papel más activo lo han requerido a través de una respuesta más rápida y más inmediata, requerimiento que formulan los países que más necesitan. La creación de un fondo de esta naturaleza quizá podría ser un medio eficiente que posibilite que la FAO esté en condiciones de dar ese tipo de respuesta que los propios países han estado pidiendo. El Pro grama de Cooperación Técnica es quizá un ejemplo en ese sentido, porque ha permitido, a mi juicio, -e insisto que es una acotación marginal que hago a título personal- que el Programa de Cooperación Técnica, digo, sea un ejemplo que ha demostrado que la FAO, cuando cuenta con ciertos mecanismos, está en condiciones de dar respuestas inmediatas a los requerimientos que hacen los países, lo cual redunda en beneficio de su eficiencia.
En cuanto a la forma en que podría integrarse el Fondo Especial, que, según la propuesta que nos for mula el Director General, sería a través de la transferencia de 10 millones de dólares de la cuenta transitoria que se creó en virtud de la resolución 35/75, aun cuando la mayoría de las delegaciones se han mostrado también en favor de esta propuesta, varias delegaciones han señalado algunas reservas. Yo creo que con respecto a este punto, que es un punto crucial dentro del temario de hoy, porque de nada vale que hagamos declaraciones y que nos pongamos en favor de un Plan de Acción si luego quien tiene que ejecutarlo no dispone de los fondos necesarios para hacerlo, indudablemente este aspecto de la cuestión es más conveniente dejarlo abierto. Es un aspecto que tenemos que dejar, a fin de poder disponer de un poco más de tiempo para hacer consultas entre todas las delegaciones que nos permitan llegar a una solución de transacción que posibilite compatibilizar todos los criterios y todas las opiniones que aquí se han vertido. De manera que yo personalmente voy a propiciar contactos para tra tar de encontrar una solución de compromiso que permita resolver esta cuestión, y lo hago con la espe ranza de hallar esa solución de compromiso, porque a través de las intervenciones de las delegaciones he podido observar que hay una verdadera voluntad de cooperación internacional, una verdadera voluntad política al servicio de la solución de este problema, que redundará, como dije antes, en la satisfac ción de las necesidades alimentarias del mundo.
Creo que, si no hay otros comentarios, y con la aclaración del tema de la financiación, o con la inte gración del Fondo, con la aclaración también de que ese tema va a quedar abierto, si no hay otros co mentarios, voy a levantar la sesión, invitándoles a que nos reunamos mañana viernes, a las 14.30 horas, para continuar con el tema 6 de nuestra Agenda.
Antes de concluir, quisiera agradecer a la delegación de Guinea y a todos ustedes el espíritu de cola boración que demostraron al abreviar sus intervenciones, lo cual nos ha permitido terminar práctica mente dentro del horario previsto; y en especial a la delegación de Guinea, porque nos envió su inter vención para incorporarla a las Actas, sin tomarse el tiempo que le hubiera llevado leerla. Y quiero asimismo asegurarle que lo que consta en esa intervención será bien tenido en cuenta por el Comité de Redacción.
The meeting rose at 17.45 hours.
La séance est levée à 17 h 45.
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.45 horas.
