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I. MAJOR TRENDS AND POLICIES IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (continued)
I. PRINCIPALES TENDANCES ET POLITIQUES EN MATIERE D'ALIMENTATIONET.D'AGRICULTURE (suite)
I. PRINCIPALESTENDENCIAS Y POLÍTICAS EN LA AGRICULTURA Y LA ALIMENTACION (continuación)

6. World Food and Agriculture Situation: (continued)
6.
Situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture: (suite)
6. Situación alimentaria y agrícola en el mundo: (continuación)

6.2 Progress in Implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen World Food Security- Re-appraisal of Concepts and Approaches
6.2 Etat d'avancement du Plan d'action visant à renforcer la sécurité alimentaire mondiale - Réexamen des concepts et des approches
6.2 Progresos realizados en la ejecución del Plan de Acción para reforzar la seguridad alimentaria -mundial - Reconsideración de conceptos y planteamientos

EL PRESIDENTE: Señores, esta presidencia ve que hay suficientes delegaciones, por lo cual damos comienzo a nuestra cuarta sesión de trabajo. En esta ocasión trataremos, el punto 6.2 de la Agenda, relativo a los progresos realizados en la ejecución del Plan de Acción para Reforzar la Seguridad Alimentaria: reconsideración de conceptos y medidas.

Los documentos que sirven de base para los trabajos para este subtema son el C 83/20, el C 83/20 Corr.1 y Corr.2, cuya versión existe actualmente en inglés.

Este es un importante tema de la Agenda de esta Comisión y quisiera ahora invitar al Dr. Nurul Islam, Subdirector General del Departamento de Política Económica y Social, para que presente el subtema.

N. ISLAM (Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social policy Department): World food security has been a major concern of FAO since its inception. Since the world food crisis of the early seventies and the World Food Conference of 1974, it has caught and held very wide attention, and has given rise to a large number of attempts - by governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organisations as well as individuals - to remove some of the existing insecurity in this vital area.

Some progress has been made, especially in following up the Plan of Action adopted in 1979. But as document C 83/20 points out, progress has been slow, remaining limited to certain areas, and only some aspects of the problem. It is therefore hardly surprising that with the passing of time, there has been a growing sens e of frustration, if not despair, surfacing not only in the Committee on World Food Security but also in many other fora, on the part of all those who are attempting to contribute to a lasting solution to this vital problem.

It was against this unsatisfactory background that the Director-General proposed that the Committee on World Food Security should reappraise the whole concept of world food security and consider new approaches relevant to the 1980s. Accordingly earlier this year, the Director-General's report on a reappraisal of concepts and approaches was placed before the Eighth Session of the Committee, whose report was then considered by the FAO Council.

Let me say that the Director-General is greatly encouraged by the consensus which has already emerged, in the first round of the discussions, regarding a broadened concept of world food security, and on some of the areas on which action is required. As delegates know, the new approach adopted by the Committee on World Food Security focuses on three main components: the adequacy of food supplies and production; maximising stability in the flow of food supplies; and the security of access to supplies. This broader concept was endorsed by the FAO Council, and it has also been strongly supported by the World Food Council and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations which called for the widest possible implementation of the new concept by the international community and appropriate bodies of the United Nations System.

We sincerely hope that at the next stage, it will be possible to reach a consensus on the introduction, over a period of time, of certain improvements in the existing food security arrangements to achieve these three aims, and to agree on a series of practical steps which could be taken in the near future. The Director-General has not yet finalised the proposals which he will submit to the Committee on Food Security in 1984, as he intends to take full account of the views of the Conference, as well as of the Committee on Food Security and the Council. I would, however, like to mention some general points to be borne in mind when considering future action.


First, it is universally accepted that action at the national level is the basis for improved food security, particularly in the low-income food-deficit countries. Ways must be urgently found to step up the growth in their food production, to increase their food supply stability, and to improve access to food by the large numbers of malnourished. An integrated approach to these various forms of action can be achieved through the formulation of national food security programmes, systems or strategies. As a means of reinforcing FAO support for national efforts, the Director-General is now considering the feasibility and modalities of a food security action programme within FAO, along the lines sketched out in his first report.

Secondly, it is clear that there is increasing scope for, and interest in, action at the regional level as a support to national efforts. The diversification and expansion of intraregional trade, collaboration in the production and distribution of inputs, the sharing of research facilities, joint water management, and cooperation in training, extension, and early warning systems, are a few of the fields in which regional and sub-regional action might strengthen food security, either directly or indirectly. The support being given by FAO to such regional efforts has been commended by the Council, and this support will continue to be given.

Regional action is all the more important as it may be able to make up, at least in part, for delayed action at the global level. Global measures will, of course, continue to be of crucial importance for lasting food security, but it is only realistic to recognise that they will take time to mature before they can become operational. The Director-General's report contains a number of wide-ranging proposals, but it is clear from discussions in the Committee on Food Security and the FAO Council that a lot of further work will be necessary before a consensus can emerge. It is, therefore, important that consultations should be continued in order to identify points of agreement and to initiate action on the critical issues. In the Director-General's view, part of these efforts should be directed towards improving existing arrangements to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable countries have access to the food supplies they need when circumstances are adverse. The present critical food supply situation in many African countries gives yet another illustration that the international community is still far from having reached even this very modest goal.

The need for trade liberalisation, the importance of increasing the flow of development assistance and food aid, replenishing the resources' of the multilateral development institutions, maintaining and improving the International Emergency Food Reserve - these are all measures which remain central to the achievement of an effective world food security system.

The Director-General's first report to the Committee on World Food Security stressed the need to draw on the knowledge and ideas to be found among non-United Nations Organizations and institutions as well as individual researchers involved in the study of world food security. We have accordingly made plans to hold such a symposium in 1984 on "new directions in thinking on world, regional and national food security issues".

Finally, as regards institutional implications, the Director-General welcomes the widespread support in both the Committee on Food Security and the Council for a strengthening of the Committee on World Food Security within its existing terms of reference. The Council has urged "all international agencies and institutions dealing with food issues to cooperate closely and coordinate their efforts…. keeping in mind the revised and broader concept as adopted by the Committee on Food Security."

In conclusion I would like to re-emphasize the prime importance attached to food security as a major issue - if not the major issue - facing goverments during the remainder of the eighties and beyond. There are no easy formulae for strengthening world food security. Nonetheless, it should be possible to move a few steps closer to the, as yet, distant goal of food security on which world social and political stablility so vitally depend. This can be done by continuing the process of designing a more effective system in new directions, while progressively improving the arrangements which are already in place. The Director-General trusts that the Conference will react to his proposals in this spirit.

EL PRESIDENTE: En nombre de toda la Comisión agradezco al Dr. Islam su ordenada y clara presentación y destaco la importancia de estos temas y la necesidad de precisar o corroborar la dirección de las estrategias de seguridad alimentaria y, por tanto, de los trabajos de la FAO en esta materia para los próximos años.

En particular, se pone a su consideración el concepto revisado de seguridad alimentaria mundial, que deberá merecer toda nuestra atención.

Otra cuestión está referida a las estrategias a nivel nacional, regional y mundial para alcanzar los objetivos de seguridad alimentaria que, como bien indica el Dr. Islam, quizá sea el objetivo más importante que tienen que afrontar no sólo los gobiernos sino también la humanidad.


Otro asunto es la discusión del importante papel que la FAO juega para examinar y proponer ideas a nivel técnico relativas a la consecución de la seguridad alimentaria a los tres niveles señalados, y la adecuada cooperación entre organizaciones internacionales y regionales, así como las posibilidades y modalidades de un programa de acción de seguridad alimentaria dentro de la FAO y de un mayor apoyo a la RAIE, y principalmente el fortalecimiento del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria.

Finalmente, llamo su atención sobre la conveniencia de continuar estudios especiales por parte de la FAO sobre los problemas de largo plazo y la crisis actual de los países africanos, y sobre la importancia de reforzar asimismo los mecanismos de coordinación regional para la seguridad alimentaria y el respectivo apoyo de FAO.

Destacó finalmente el interés que pudiera tener esta Comisión en el fortalecimiento del Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria.

Ahora deseo informar a los Sres. Delegados que la moción presentada por Venezuela, y que mereció el apoyo de catorce países, relativa a una resolución sobre el concepto de seguridad alimentaria mundial, será estudiada en el Comité de Resoluciones hoy por la noche y eventualmente se pasará a esta Comisión mañana por la tarde para su estudio.

Tienen solicitado el uso de la palabra Francia, India, Argelia, Yugoslavia y China.

Comenzaremos, pues, con la Delegación de Francia. Francia tiene la palabra.

P. ELMANOWSKY (France): Monsieur le Président, en l'absence momentanée du représentant de la Grèce qui a d'ailleurs pris la parole en tant qu'Etat assumant actuellement la présidence de la communauté européenne, c'est à l'Etat suivant de prendre la parole pour une question d'ordre communautaire. Aussi, c'est à ce titre, M. le Président, si vous êtes d'accord et si nos collègues sont d'accord, que je vous demanderai de donner la parole en priorité à M. l'Observateur de la CEE qui exprimera au nom des Etats membres le point de vue de la communauté sur cet important problème. Merci M. le Président!

G. DESESQUELLES (CEE) La situation alimentaire demeure critique dans de nombreux pays en développement. La malnutrition dont souffrent de larges couches de population est un des problèmes majeurs auxquels doit faire face le monde actuel. Malgré des efforts souvent considérables entrepris au plan national comme au plan internationl, et qui ont permis de réaliser des progrès en ce qui concerne l'alimentation dans certaines régions du monde, la situation d'un grand nombre de pays en dévelop-pement pement s'est aggravée, au détriment bien souvent des populations les plus défavorisées.

Compte tenu de la croissance démographique, du manque de progrès réalisés dans le domaine du développement socio-économique en général et du développement rural en particulier, alors que les besoins alimentaires croissaient, la production vivrière par tête, la production agricole par tête et la croissance du PNB par tête ont régressé dans ces pays au cours des années 1970 à 1980.

Etant donné ces résultats économiques insuffisants, la communauté et ses Etats membres ont été amenés à réaffirmer les politiques de développement qu'ils ont mises en oeuvre pendant les deux dernières décennies et à adopter certaines mesures nouvelles dont nous espérons qu'elles permettront de contribuer plus efficacement à l'amélioration de la situation alimentaire des pays en développement, et en particulier des plus démunis d'entre eux.

La CEE est d'avis que la lutte contre la faim doit être menée concrètement par la lutte contre la pauvreté. Ayant accumulé une grande expérience dans le domaine du développement rural basé sur l'évolution de notre propre agriculture et sur 25 ans de coopération intensive avec les pays en développement, le principe essentiel qui nous guide est l'importance du développement de la petite paysannerie et des couches rurales pauvres. La communauté a élaboré un plan de lutte contre la faim dans le monde, fondé: sur des actions d'urgence destinées à parer au plus pressé en mettant en oeuvre une aide alimentaire immédiate; sur des actions dites "thématiques" visant à sauvegarder le patrimoine naturel des pays en développement; mais fondé principalement sur l'appréciation que la faim ne sera pas résolue à coup d'expédients temporaires mais par une logique de développement coordonnée et maîtrisée. Permettre la capacité de produire, développer la création de techniques adaptées aux besoins, former des hommes capables de gérer et d'orienter la production, tels sont les fondements de la mise en oeuvre des stratégies alimentaires.

C'est dans ce sens que la CEE a offert à quatre pays africains son appui et celui de ses Etats membres pour la mise en oeuvre des stratégies alimentaires. A une réunion récente, le Conseil des ministres de la CEE a réaffirmé les principes à la base de son initiative et souligné en particulier le rôle clé à jouer par le dialogue politique avec les pays en développement sur la base de sa politique souveraine.

Dans l'esprit de la CEE il est essentiel que l'approche soit stimulée et dirigée par le pays concerné et que d'autres donateurs soient encouragés pour participer à cette initiative.


Les pays concernés doivent mettre au point leur propre stratégie après un diagnostic sans complaisance qui aura établi les contraintes existantes et leurs conséquences. Les programmes adoptés en corrélation avec la CEE permettront ainsi de considérer la coopération comme une association de véritables partenaires plutôt qu'une relation "assistants-assistés".

Véritables partenaires, cela veut dire que le copilotage des stratégies alimentaires rendra responsables la CEE et les pays concernés de la réussite d'une action entreprise en commun.

L'objectif est d'accroître la productivité des sols et de diversifier les productions; la stratégie est d'organiser l'agriculture pour qu'elle puisse répondre aux besoins des populations d'une part, mais qu'elle permette un dépassement de l’autosubsistance d'autre part.

Il faut inciter le paysan à produire mais aussi lui donner les moyens et les raisons de produire plus en l'assurant qu'il pourra vendre sa production. Mais cette incitation ne suffira pas. Des mesures complémentaires devront être prises pour soutenir et accompagner la dynamique ainsi créée. Il faut permettre aux agriculteurs de vendre leurs excédents pour acheter de quoi améliorer leur système productif, de quoi améliorer la commercialisation, le transport, l'équipement des villages et l'installation des commerces.

Comme le Conseil de la FAO l'a reconnu à plusieurs reprises, la faim et la malnutrition peuvent être éliminées dans la plupart des pays par un accroissement des productions alimentaires. Il n'empêche qu'un certain nombre de pays en développement ne peuvent porter leur approvisionnement en denrées alimentaires au niveau convenable qu'en recourant à l'importation. Pour leur sécurité alimentaire, les pays en cause sont donc tributaires de leurs recettes d'exportation.

La communauté européenne applique d'ores et déjà pour sa part divers arrangements et accords prévoyant un traitement préférentiel des importations en provenance des pays en voie de développement. En vertu de ces différents accords et arrangements,et en particulier de la Convention de Lomé, la grande majorité des importations en provenance de ces pays les moins développés - dont les populations souffrent de la faim ou de la malnutrition - entrent dans la communauté sans acquitter de droits.

Les effets de ce traitement préférentiel apparaissent clairement dans une étude récemment publiée par l'OCDE sous le titre "Echanges agricoles avec les pays en développement". Cette étude montre notamment que si l'on considère l'ensemble des pays industrialisés, c'est la CEE qui importe, par tête d'habitant, le plus de produits agricoles en provenance de pays en développement.

La CEE a poursuivi ses efforts tendant à améliorer les conditions d'accès à son marché, en ce qui concerne les importations en provenance des pays les moins développés. Toutefois, la plupart des produits exportés de ces pays entrant déjà dans la communauté en exemption de droits, les possibilités d'amélioration sont restreintes.

La CEE estime qu'il existe une marge de manoeuvre plus étendue pour accroître les exportations des pays les moins développés vers les autres pays industrialisés, en particulier les pays à commerce d'Etat et les pays récemment industrialisés, mais aussi vers d'autres pays en développement.

Outre les améliorations concernant les conditions d'accès aux marchés d'exportation, la communauté internationale peut contribuer à la sécurité alimentaire des pays en développement grâce à des solutions permettant de stabiliser les flux commerciaux internationaux et les prix du marché mondial pour les produits dont dépendent les recettes d'exportation de ces pays.

A cet égard, la Communauté a noté avec satisfaction que,lors de la VIe CNUCED, il a été adopté par consensus une résolution invitant les gouvernements concernés à discuter , dans le cadre du Conseil international du blé, dès sa prochaine session, de la reprise, aussitôt que possible de la Conférence des Nations Unies pour la négociation d'un nouvel arrangement international destiné à remplacer celui de 1971, nouvel accord qui contribuerait au fonctionnement efficace du marché international du blé en tenant compte des intérêts des PVD.

La CEE pourrait prendre également acte avec satisfaction des progrès réalisés au cours des récentes négociations relatives à un nouvel accord international sur le sucre. Etant donné la grande importance que revêt ce produit pour les recettes d'exportation de certains des pays en développement, nous pensons qu'un nouvel accord pourrait grandement contribuer à améliorer la sécurité alimentaire des pays en cause.

Je voudrais également évoquer le problème de la stabilisation des recettes d'exportation. Comme vous le savez, la Communauté est très favorable au système de stabilisation des recettes d'exportation, elle l'applique depuis maintenant 9 ans à l'intention des pays de la Convention de Lomé. Ce STABEX sert d'exemple et de référence pour toute progression dans ce domaine. C'est pourquoi la Communauté abordera ce problème avec une attitude ouverte et constructive, notamment dans le cadre de la négociation de Lomé III actuellement en cours.


En ce qui concerne plus particulièrement les mesures envisagées contenues dans le document C 83/20, la Communauté Economique Européenne et ses Etats membres rappellent qu'ils peuvent marquer leur accord sur le concept élargi de la sécurité alimentaire, que toutefois les propositions, notamment en ce qui concerne les mesures à l'échelon mondial et les questions de caractère institutionnel sont de nature préliminaire et qu'elles devraient être analysées de manière approfondie ultérieurement.

Voilà, Monsieur le Président, les observations que la Communauté et ses Etats membres désireraient faire connaître, tout en rappelant l'importance qu'elle attache au développement de politiques internationales visant à accroître la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

R. C. GUPTA (India) : We would like to compliment the Secretariat for the very useful and clearly worded document entitled "Progress in Implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen World Food Security - Re-appraisal of Concepts and Approaches".

We are also happy to listen to a very concise and convincing presentation by Professor Islam.

I would also like to thank the EEC for a very clear presentation of the initiatives that the Community has taken in furthering agricultural production and self-reliance in developing countries and some of the least developed countries.

The FAO has been grappling with this problem for a number of years now. In 1974, the Organization presented an International Undertaking on Food Security with the hope that a New International Grains Agreement was round the corner. But when it did not materialize for half a decade, a five-point Plan of Action was presented. Unfortunately for us, as the efforts to find a solution to the problem of world hunger and malnutrition, continued the problem has assumed still larger proportions, and with the passage of every day, every month and every year, we have more and more hungry, malnourished and destitute people amongst us.

The revised concept presented by the Director-General is a new ray of hope. It contains certain, innovative ideas. I would like to refer to it as a more comprehensive concept and approach, because as our understanding of the problem increases, we realize that various issues are interrelated, that food security is an all-encompassing concept, and the new concept presented by the Organization and the Director-General really reflects the depth of understanding, vision and concern of the Organization for solving this long-term problem.

As Professor Islam just now referred to, the three salient features of the objectives of the new approach, that is adequacy of food supplies and production, stability in food supplies and markets and security of access to supplies. We find the concept of security of access to be perhaps the most important aspect in the sense that though there may be abundance of food supplies in certain areas in certain countries and the world at large as we have now, but on account of lack of immediate access, we have had famines and hunger, and we have to ensure that the poorest country, the poorest community and the poorest man is provided with security of access.

I am reminded of what was stated by the great saint and political philosopher of our time' Mahatma Gandhi. He said that in all our actions we have to ensure the interest of the last man in the queue, the poorest of the poor, and if what we do benefits that last man, we should have satisfaction that we have done something positive.

All our planning and progress must start from below, and it is only then that we will reach others. The theory of the trickle-down effect is a myth which has been exploded, and we have to start planning from below. We find it particularly attractive that the new concept and approach include all factors that have bearing on capacity of both country and people to produce and purchase food.

This would include agriculture and rural development, food production particularly in the low-income food-deficit countries, purchasing power of the poorest strata of the population, food reserves, functioning of national and international food markets, foreign exchange needs of importing countries, trade liberalization, financial resources and technical assistance, flow of funds and arrangements to meet emergency needs, and lastly but importantly, the avoidance of diffusion of responsibilities among the various fora, various organizations dealing with this subject. The new approach, to our mind, appropriately lays emphasis on national, regional and global action for this purpose. Of particular interest we find the emphasis on trade flows and policy of liberalization. We feel that the solution to the problem of world food security lies not so much in aid as in trade, and it is only through liberalization of trade that we will be furthering the cause of world food security.


While action at national level is by far the most important, the countries have to follow policies which give incentive to producers and thereby encourage larger production, and particularly in our context, the emphasis on the small and marginal farmer, because in most of the Asian countries, we have reached the agricultural frontiers, there is no capacity or possibility of extending areas under agriculture and if it is done, it will be at the cost of degradation of the ecology which is already fragile in these areas, so what we need to do is to increase the productivity of the existing agricultural areas and particularly of the smallholders, because there lies the maximum potential. For increasing production at the regional level, we agree to the need for harmonization of policies of countries within the same region, taking full advantage of the complementarities and exchange of information, solving transport bottlenecks and so on.

We are particularly disturbed by a comment made last evening in Commission II by one of the member countries trying to minimize the importance of Regional Offices of the FAO. We feel that these Regional Offices play a very crucial and important part in harmonizing the policies of the countries, in bringing them closer and furthering the cause of World Food Security, and we feel that these offices are important for us, for developing countries, and they should be strengthened, more and more, functions should be decentralized, they should be given more powers, more initiative and that is how they can serve the needs of these countries.

In the context of global action, the concept or approach refers to financing, technical assistance, food aid and emergency assistance. We find it particularly disheartening, as I submitted yesterday, also, that the quantum of food available through food aid convention and through IEFR is grossly inadequate considering world hunger at the moment, and there is urgent need to enhance the floors set down in 1974, because the need has increased. We have to cope, we have to keep pace with the changing times. Yesterday I have already referred to the problems of replenishment of IDA and second replenishment of IFAD, which is a fairly difficult picture in the field of international financing and I do not propose to repeat them. We feel that the new approach is tentative still in certain fields because certain very complex issues posed in this approach like World Food Security Fund, World Food Security Compact, etc. need detailed examination, detailed consultation, refinement and coming to a practicable proposition in all these areas. To conclude, we support the revised or comprehensive concept, and we feel that if implemented, these approaches would further the aims of the International Development Strategy and will help in heralding a New International Economic Order.

We agree heartily that World Food Security is a necessary condition of peace.

H. BENATTALLAH (Algérie): Nous nous sommes abstenus de prendre la parole sur le document "Situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture" parce qu'il était difficile de ne pas souscrire à une évaluation qui porte au-delà d'une échéance conjoncturelle, mais aussi, et surtout, parce que cette évaluation constitue le soubassement de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale abordée par le document qui nous occupe à présent.

Ce n'est pas une évaluation de conjoncture dans la mesure où les préoccupations de moyen et long termes figurant du paragraphe 10 au paragraphe 13 renvoient la problématique du développement dans ces complexes interactions nationales et internationales et au difficile dosage des options politiques.

La problématique du développement renvoie à son tour aux problèmes de structures dans toutes leurs composantes. Et c'est de cela qu'il s'agit en réalité. Depuis la vingtième session de 1979, hormis des variations de certains indicateurs de niveau des prix, des niveaux de production ou des stocks, il n'y a pas eu d'éléments nouveaux ou décisifs concourant au renversement des tendances, c'est-à-dire une avancée réelle des transformations ou au moins à un allégement des facteurs bloquant le développement.

En fait, le contexte mondial, qu'il soit en phase de croissance ou de récession n'empêche pas l'aggravation de ces tendances. En 1979, comme en 1981, (je me référe aux conférences bien entendu) on a admis que l'amélioration des récoltes, même dans les pays en voie de développement, conjurait dans l'immédiat le risque d'une nouvelle crise alimentaire mondiale. Cette année aussi, on mesure l'amélioration relative par référence à une situation de crise immédiate.

De même, le recul de l'aide alimentaire de l'assistance extérieure au secteur agricole par rapport aux besoins estimés, la réduction de la part des pays en développement dans les recettes mondiales des exportations agricoles, la dépendance accrue des approvisionnements alimentaires extérieurs, le remplacement ou la substitution des aliments de base traditionnels par des céréales importées, la forte concentration des stocks, dans le noyau réduit des grands pays producteurs, les politiques protectionnistes de certains pays développés, les graves hypothèques pesant sur la conclusion d'un nouvel arrangement international sur les céréales, la stagnation des niveaux de production des pêches, la répartition des terres, les tendances démographiques, la Réserve d'urgence, tous ces éléments en se détériorant signifient bien qu'il y a en dernier ressort un problème de structures non résolu et qui rejoint à son tour la problématique d'un nouvel ordre économique international.


En 1979 on a relevé l'insuffisance des mesures prises depuis 1974 pour appliquer l'engagement international sur la sécurité alimentaire et la Conférence a approuvé le Plan d'action en 5 points du Directeur général pour contribuer à combler les lacunes en attendant la conclusion d'un nouvel accord sur les céréales. Mais c'est un programme intérimaire.

En 1981 on a admis la nécessité d'un réexamen des stratégies, plans et programmes de production alimentaire, ainsi que les politiques économiques et démographiques. Ce rêexamen est effectivement une exigence. Mais il véhicule néanmoins des risques potentiels de déviation étant donné le rôle prépondérant que des pays donateurs entendent jouer dans la formulation des stratégies alimentaires nationales, introduisant ainsi un mécanisme supplémentaire de conditionnement des réformes économiques et sociales par le biais de l'aide alimentaire.

Cette année, un diagnostic sensiblement en accord avec celui des deux dernières conférences, débouche sur une approche davantage globalisante et dont les prémisses se retrouvent au point 10 de la Résolution 3/79 de la vingtième session de la Conférence.

Il importe peu de s'attarder à s'interroger sur le caractère innovateur des composants de la motion révisée de sécurité alimentaire, ni de rechercher, comme cela était souvent le cas, l'ancêtre ou le promoteur originel de concept.

Il est probable qu'une action de cette dimension peut développer une dynamique propre, qui aura ses limites bien sûr, mais s'intégrera dans l'effort global de restructuration des relations Nord-Sud.

Il ne s'agit pas, et nous l'entendons ainsi, d'une réponse unique et standardisée face à des phénomènes complexes qui se différencient selon les latitudes.

Cette diversité nous rappelle par exemple, le rôle inégal des firmes multinationales sur les marchés des produits selon les continents. Que l'Amérique latine soit devenue depuis peu un importateur net de produits vivriers n'est certainement pas sans lien avec le taux de pénétration des multinationales dans ce continent. Au cours de la dernière session du Comité des produits, une délégation avait déclaré qu'il était vain de rechercher un accord pour la maîtrise des marchés si l'on éludait la volonté de ces mêmes forces de marchés. Celles-ci ne sont pas (et cela esL bien cunnu) bien disposées vis-à-vis des objectifs de stabilisation du flux d'approvisionnement et de l'accès aux approvisionnements alimentaires. Nous estimons, dès lors, nécessaire, d'intégrer le rôle de ces multinationales dans l'affinement de l'approche du concept de sécurité alimentaire mondiale prévue pour l'année prochaine.

Enfin, pour terminer, et en ce qui concerne les mesures institutionnelles et le rôle du Comité de la sécurité alimentaire, la délégation algérienne a déjà fait connaître son sentiment qui n'a pas changé depuis la huitième session du CSA.

M. ZJALIĆ (Yugoslavia): First of all I would like to commend the Secretariat for their preparation of this excellent document and Professor Islam for his brief but comprehensive introduction.

My delegation considers this Agenda item as one of the most important issues to be discussed and decided upon at this Conference. Food security has been the focus of attention of our member governments for many years, also of many international fora and of this Organization itself. We have not much reason for satisfaction with the achievements made in strengthening world food security, although a number of actions have been taken since the World Food Conference. The plan of action endorsed by the Twentieth Conference of FAO has offered broad possibilities for national and international undertakings. Results in its implementation, particularly those of special interests for the position and food situation in the low-income food-deficit countries, such as flow of resources for food security programmes, flow of resources for development, level of food aid, stability of, and access to, markets in large-scale periods of food shortages, are limited and generally unsatisfactory. We see a particular problem in the fact 'that there is still no mechanism for ensuring the stability of cereal markets as one of the most important markets in the food sector, nor for guaranteeing the access of low-income food-deficit countries to needed supplies.

The FAO Council at its June Session this year, endorsed the report of the Director-General of FAO on World Food Security. The Ministerial Meeting of the World Food Council endorsed the new and integrated concept, and ECOSOC at its second regular session this year, called for the widest possible implementation of its broader concept of world food security by the international community and by appropriate bodies in the UN system.

Basic characteristics of this concept are contained in the Conference document C 83/20 and were very ably introduced by Professor Islam, so I need not go into details but only emphasize its comprehensiveness and recall three main points.

This concept is aimed at ensuring production of adequate food supplies, maximizing stability in the flow of food supplies, and security of access to supplies at national and individual levels.


My delegation endorses this concept and calls for its partly gradual or partly immediate implementation, depending on the characteristics of measures and general consensus upon some proposals which have been achieved.

For this reason we think that governments should take special measures at national, regional and international levels in order to achieve these three main goals.

Taking into account the previous food security situation in many countries, indebtedness and monetary situation, decrease in export terms of developing countries, it is necessary to provide assistance to developing countries not only in designing but also in executing their national food security programme as a base for a global food security and including increase in resource flow and adequate level of food aid as estimated by the Committee on Food Aid.

Another important point is liberalization of trade, especially in products of export interest of developing countries, which is one of the foundations of food security. We consider that this Conference should urge all relevant fora to adopt and implement appropriate measures aimed at effective liberalization of trade, particularly in products of expert interest of developing countries. These groups of actions can be undertaken immediately.

As for regional action, we think it is encouraging to note increased regional cooperation in food security, but it should not necessarily be limited to regional food reserves. In accordance with past experience, and in accordance with the revised concept of food security, it should encompass cooperation in food production, mutual trade, rural development, and so on.

Finally, Mr Chairman, as for further action, my delegation considers that it is necessary to continue with the activities by FAO and other international fora, not only in defining and in an attempt to find consensus on some still open questions, like institutional arrangements, which in our opinion are of less importance than substantial measures contained in their concept, a consensus on which can be achieved rather easily in the near future, but also in implementing essential parts of the new concept. We should like to invite the Director-General to continue with his efforts and also to introduce necessary changes in the programmes and activities of FAO so as to support national efforts and to promote international cooperation in food security and implementation of the new concept.

ZENG XIANRONG (China) (original language Chinese): We feel it is desirable to consider the problem of world food security while we discuss the food and agricultural situation. Last year the cereal output decreased in some of the developing countries. It is estimated that this year again the world cereal production will be lower than that of last year. Faced with this reality, our deliberations of world food security here today bear immense realistic significance. May I now offer a few comments on this subject:

Firstly, the FAO has summed up the progress and problems of world food security in the last ten years and analysed the causes and consequences of inadequate food supplies in many countries. A host of facts show that we at times find the situation of world food security worsened and at times ameliorated. Its instability is directly linked with the situation of harvests, for production provides material basis for food supplies. Without such a condition there can be no guarantee for world food security. At the same time, we think that the question of food distribution and trade is also very important. If this question cannot be properly solved, certain regions will suffer food shortages even if more food is produced. As it happens today, some countries possess large quantities of surplus grain while hundreds of millions of impoverished people in many other countries are starving. This has further proved that in seeking a solution of the food problem, there must be a considerably strong economic foundation. The same is true in every country, which should guarantee adequate food supply for all consumers and above all provide them with material access to buy the food they need. We have noted with interest that the new concept of world food security initiated by the Director-General last year not only attaches importance to material factors, but also puts emphasis on the economic aspect. We consider that this is a more comprehensive concept with definite objectives. We would like to reaffirm our appreciation for it.

Secondly, we find that proceeding from this new concept, document C 83/20 further points out that world food security must be achieved by the following three aspects: acceleration of production, stability of supply and guarantee of the people's access to food. The document has put forth an integrated strategy including measures for food production, trade, reserve, aid and rural development. This is a well meditated approach and coincides with the practice of some countries. However, as is referred to in paragraph 29 of the document, in order to realize the above-mentioned three strategic objectives, there needs to be "long-term economic and social development", which calls for hard work in the years ahead. Taking into consideration the urgent needs and existing conditions of many developing countries, we think that in order to reach these objectives, we should grasp the key link, proceed in the order of priorities and follow a step-by-step approach.


Thirdly, document C 83/20 also highlights measures to be adopted at the national, regional and global levels for the ultimate realization of world food security. As the details of these measures involve the terms of reference of many sectors, we feel that they need to be further studied. Nevertheless, we believe that considering the existing circumstances at the present, action at the national level is the crucial link. Therefore, regional and global actions should be geared to promote national actions and assist from all sides to realize the goals set at the national level. At the same time, relevant regional and global actions should also be gradually carried out in accordance with the principle of "equality, mutual benefit and voluntary participation".

Fourthly, the issue of world food security has already attracted the attention of the international community. Some international agencies concerned have offered constructive suggestions. This is a welcoming sign. Paragraph 62 of the document has quoted a conclusion contained in the report of the last session of the Council in this regard. We agree with it and hope that all relevant international organizations will strengthen their cooperation and conduct full consultation and strive in a common effort for the gradual realization of the ultimate goal of world food security.

A.H.M. ABDUL HYE (Bangladesh): First of all, I would like to congratulate the staff who have worked on the preparation of Conference document C 83/20. I would also like to congratulate Professor Nurul Islam on his brief but very lucid presentation of the paper.

The decline in food production of 3.6 percent in both Africa and the Near East, the 1.9 percent decline in the less developed countries since 1980, and the current grave food situation prevailing in sub-Saharan Africa bring into sharp focus the urgent need to make substantial progress in world food security. The inability of many of the low-income food countries to import food because of balance-of-payments difficulties heightens the seriousness of the problem and should engage member countries, particularly the developed food-surplus countries, in a search to find a satisfactory arrangement for world food security. This must be achieved on the grounds of humanity, in the interests of world peace and the stable growth of world economy.

It is in this context that the Bangladesh delegation supports the wise concept and new approaches under which the object of the world food security situation has been underlined- to ensure that all people at all times have both physical and economic access to the basic food they need.

Three lines of action have been envisaged under this new approach: a) increasing production;

b) ensuring stability of supplies, and c) ensuring access to available supplies, both by countries seeking to procure their requirements on the international market and by people within a country seeking to buy the food they need. We consider these elements as constituting a comprehensive approach to world food security. The new approach calls for the taking of specific measures both at national and international level, in a concerted manner. In assigning distinct roles for every member country and international organization, the new concepts and approaches offer the hope that after years of frustration active steps towards lasting progress can at last be taken.

In Bangladesh the concept of food security has been carefully evolved into the following characteristics: a) ensuring adequate domestic supplies of food grains; b) market stability and c) accessability of food supplies for those who need the food, and d) maintaining optimum conditions for food security. A short-term aim was food aid held in nationally held food stock reserves, but during a previous period this was done by quick mobilization of external resources procurement by way of commercial purchases, utilization of the International Monetary Fund facility for compensatory financing and liberal response to food aid by bilateral and multilateral donors and availability of bilateral commodity loans. of no less importance in this regard is the ability of the government to deliver available food speedily to crisis locations.

Hence, removal of constraints like insufficient infrastructures in terms of port handling, up-country transportation, warehousing, and distribution facilities are considered essential and have been given top priority by the Government. Like many other developing countries frequented by periodic food shortages, Bangladesh has given priority to food security infrastructure development by way of expanding warehousing facilities, modernizing storage, transportation and handling facilities, identification, implementation of consumer price policies, with possible welfare elements, and the setting up of distribution networks which can reach the most remote areas and groups.

Last but not least, necessary steps have been taken in Bangladesh to improve the information system and inventory control mechanism. With regard to the production component of world food security, global measures are needed to assist countries experiencing serious difficulties in the development of their food sector, notably the low-income food-deficit countries. To accelerate production several forms of action are possible. One such action has been taken in Mali where funds generated by the sale of food aid have been used to subsidize the procurement and distribution of grain.


There can be several other forms of action. Price incentives can be given only when there is produce to sell. But there are numerous occasions when natural calamities destroy crops. The disposable income of farmers becomes precariously low and the only way to get out of the problem is for them to physically dispose of their farming assets. One action to save the farmers from depleting farm capital and to help production of the next crop is to go for an intermediate position between emergency relief and long-term development assistance.

The package might be as follows: generate counterpart funds by the sale of food aid in addition to that which has been used for food for work, vulnerable group feeding, and so on; use the funds for development activities like road maintenance, repair of small bridges and culverts, improving the market place and so on - this will have the advantage of providing immediate relief for the poorest of the poor and will provide basic minimum security as well as building the urgently required physical infrastructure.

My delegation suggests that World Food Programme be entrusted with developing a profile along the special lines that I have mentioned to help the world food crisis.

Action at regional level should continue in the form of support for national effort. Realizing their common interest, countries should be able to spread the risks and reduce the cost of food insecurity through regional arrangements.

The broadening of the concept of world food security should facilitate the broadening of. the areas of regional action in respect of trade, production of inputs, sharing of research facilities, and so on. The measures required at a global level has been set out in the first part of the Conference document C 83/20. These measures, which also appear in the International Development Strategy of the United Nations, remain central to the world food security system and can be delayed only at the cost of human misery and instability in the functioning of the world economy.

I. MARINCEK (Switzerland): I would like to express my thanks to the Secretariat for the valuable picture it has presented of the state of food and agriculture in the world. It gives a critical but not a desperate picture. Poor production conditions in agriculture are poor working conditions in agriculture. My delegation has noted with satisfaction the growing recognition of the importance of production incentives, particularly those for small farmers, reflected in the many statements made by delegates from the developing countries. In this connection, my country welcomes the initiative of FAO in carrying out the analysis of the agricultural and price support policies of a number of developing countries. We know it is a complex task to introduce policies of stronger production incentives. External assistance can make an important contribution to this endeavour.

However, production incentives will often not be sufficient, if they are not supported by measures to facilitate the access to land and markets, and to improve the availability and supply of inputs, credits and training, measures which also take into consideration the local context. The longstanding experience and expertise of FAO in agricultural development will undoubtedly help to make a most valuable contribution to these efforts. Only if both production incentives and supportive measures are applied together will the farmers be able to develop their potential, a potential generally supposed to be substantially higher than today's actual output.

A.R. PIRES (Cap-Vert): Monsieur le Président nous serons très brefs. Nous tenons à remercier d'abord le secrétariat général pour la présentation claire et précise du document C 83/20. Nous ne voulons pas ici répéter ce que d'honorables délégués ont dit; nous tenons à dire que pour nous la sécurité alimentaire constitue la clé du problème et par conséquent nous ne pouvons pas féliciter et appuyer sans réserve le concept des approches révisées présenté par le Directeur général de la FAO.

Par ailleurs, nous croyons qu'une coopération régionale et sous-régionale s'impose pour résoudre dans le contexte régional le problème de la sécurité alimentaire. C'est pourquoi nous, les pays, peut-être avec la FAO, nous avons entamé dans ces régions l'étude de la question des zones de sécurité alimentaire dans lesquelles nous formons beaucoup d'espoir.

Certes les efforts nationaux, la volonté politique des Etats au niveau des pays s'imposent, mais il faudra que les pays qui ont des moyens aident les autres à concrétiser leur volonté politique. Je vous remercie Monsieur le Président.


H.A. AL-GHAMDI (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of) (original language Arabic): In the name of God the Merciful and Beneficent, thank you, Mr Chairman, and I would like to thank the Secretariat for the document on the progress in the implementation of the plan of action to strengthen world food security, the reappraisal of concepts and approaches and your aim from all this to realize the desired goal. I would like also to thank you for affording me the opportunity to speak before the Commission.

Fellow participants in this Conference have given enough recommendations and proposals which they deem appropriate for food security, and all these recommendations and proposals aim at combatting hunger. I do not have much to add, however, I would like to reiterate what has been mentioned and to take into consideration all the statements, because this would have beneficial effects on the amelioration of conditions in the poorest countries.

We have studied the relevant documents in this issue and I would like to commend those who prepared the documentation because it has been comprehensive and covers the situation at present and action for the future. The review has been supported by figures. What is a source of concern for us is the plight of developing countries, in particular the African developing countries, in view of the shortage of resources and potential. We have to take conditions in these countries into consideration because hunger and poverty have been the result of natural catastrophes which are beyond their control, such as drought and the like. We support the proposal of the Director-General in document C 83/20 which has included all the guidelines for production and for securing the constant stability of supplies, especially as a result of fluctuations in production and markets. Also there is mention of access to available supplies both by countries seeking to secure their requirements on the international markets and by people within a country.

The measures referred to by the Director-General and those relating to the national level are very important because work on the national level is of paramount importance for food security, especially for the low income food deficit countries.

On this occasion, like other participants here, I hope that all countries will enhance their resources for the development of agriculture, to provide for food security in order to reach self-sufficiency. I would like to refer in this regard to the fact that we in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are working for better development in the field of agriculture and its improvement and we are exerting maximum efforts in order to reach self-sufficiency in foodstuffs with support and incentives from the government to producers and farmers. This should be realized in the near future.

All that is undertaken in addition to our attention to forests because forests cover a big area in the Kingdom, over 1 million hectares spread over the valleys and hills, in addition to the artificial and man-made changes with a view to introducing new varieties which are suitable for the environment and are of economic value. We are also working to develop forests after they have been felled haphazardly. Attention shall be given to forest side by side with agriculture in order to be a future cornerstone for the development and prosperity of the kingdom and its economy.

This short glimpse should urge countries, especially the poorest countries, to try gradually to improve their agriculture, forests and fisheries, to stop the exodus of rural people and to provide them with enough incentives to develop their production.

B.H. KATANI (Tanzania): On behalf of my delegation, Mr Chairman, I would like to congratulate vou on being elected Chairman of this Commission and I also congratulate the Vice-Chairmen.

I would also like to congratulate the FAO Secretariat who have made available excellent documents which have been very useful in highlighting the main issues. I am quite convinced that one area in which it is important to reverse the downward trend of food production is to have an agricultural policy that defines the directions for improved food production . The policy should clearly define the level of investment that is required to generate the impact that is often expected of the sector. Very often we speak of the agricultural sector being the main, most important sector both in GDP and as a foreign exchange earner but the percentage of financial resources is much less than what is actually allocated in document C 83/2-Sup.l, page 17.

The policy should also be to give incentives to producers through better prices. But high prices for their own sake will not bring the dramatic increased production if other related services like improved seeds and the adequate and timely delivery of fertilizer, proper storage and efficient transportation of output from the farmers are not made available.

The point I am emphasizing here is the need to provide the farmer with the complete package that he requires. Taking one component at a time without linking it with other components may not make the farmers increase production.

Sometimes the occurrence of infestation of pests has been a big check on increased production. In Tanzania recently there has been an outbreak of grain borer which has largely affected maize production. While in 1981 the pest was identified in four regions, in 1983 the pest has spread


into 11 regions. The loss has ranged from 30 percent to 90 percent. According to experts it is likely that the grain borer has the potential to spread into other countries. Although our Government has taken steps to halt its spread, we have not succeeded, due to the poor foreign exchange which our country now faces.

FAO has made several attempts to get the donors to finance the foreign exchange, for which we are grateful, but unless we get financial assistance we shall fail to contain the spread, thus making food aid inevitable in the affected areas.

I would appeal to FAO to continue with its plans to help governments to prepare the national food strategy which was successfully prepared in Tanzania. The document has been of great assistance to the Government of Tanzania in spelling out in detail the necessary investment required to achieve our objective of self-reliance.

As a result of the national food strategy and the agricultural policy which were adopted in 1983, the percentage of development funds in the sector has been increased from 10 percent in the past to 24 percent in 1983. Other changes have been implemented to make farming more attractive.

Y. HAMDI (Egypt) (original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, my country has taken part in the Seventh Session of the Committee on World Food Security and at that time my delegation made various comments, it has also approved the report of that session upon its discussion in the Council.

If I may, I would like to make sore comments on the document which has been presented to us. My delegation would like to express its satisfaction with the implementation of the plan of action to strengthen world food security and particularly the participation of 72 countries, 12 developed countries and 60 developing countries, for the establishment of cereal stocks. 98 countries have also established national policies for food security stocks and have also therefore been working in this area.

My delegation would also like to support the efforts that have been made by the Food and Agriculture Organization to ensure that the necessary financing is made available on a bilateral basis and through the trust fund for the various projects which have been prepared. In all, there are some 60 projects of this type which have been prepared recently. We would also like to support all regional efforts which have been made by this Organization and by developing countries to establish the food self-sufficiency and self-reliance which is embodied in the establishment of the Regional Commission which deals with food security in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. We hope that similar commissions can also be established in Africa and the Near East.

My delegation has expressed its satisfaction in regard to the efforts made by the Director-General of which we took note in the report to the Committee on World Food Security. My delegation would like fully to support the new and revised concept of world food security, based on a continuing review and study of the adequecy of food supplies so as to try and stabilize the fluctuation of prices.

We would also like to support the measures proposed in paragraph 25 and following paragraphs in the document before us and we would also support the idea of the establishment of a fund on world food security. We hope that further details will be made available to us in this regard.

I would like, Mr Chairman, to propose to the Conference the adoption of a resolution by which the new concept of world food security can be adopted and approved and that it can be a basis for the construction of new food security policy. My delegation hopes, Mr Chairman, that quick and effective measures can be taken, particularly considering the very serious crisis being faced by African countries, particularly those in the south of the Sahara. We hope that these countries will be able to overcome the barriers which exist to increase food production in their country. We also feel that greater interest and concern should be given to research, as well as the support of other organizations working in the field of food security. Thank you very much.

H. LAUBE (Austria) (original language German): Mr Chairman, thank you for calling me to speak. I would like to congratulate you on your election and I should like to say to Professor Islam that I am most grateful to him for the document which he has provided.


On reading the document one finds oneself thinking of one or two general considerations which I should like briefly to address myself to now. Food policy is a component part of any modern agricultural policy. Supplying populations with an appropriate supply of high quality food and raw materials at appropriate prices is a prime element of our policy concerns. Guaranteeing and promoting the necessary policy matters is something which we must give our increased attention to and we are not concerned simply with obtaining optimum food from the. nutritional point of view, but also maintaining its component parts. Maintaining a wide variety of foodstuffs presupposes, of course, many conditions being met by agriculture, and the prime concern of international food and agriculture policy in which Austria makes its contribution within the FAO, is the making available of sufficient foodstuffs. The worldwide nutritional situation despite indubitable progress in recent years is still difficult, and given demographic increases and ascertainable environmental damage with widespread pollution must give us great concern.

The worldwide food situation is characterized by over nutrition in certain areas with all that that entails in certain industrialized countries and by under nourishment with all its consequences in many developing countries. Decades of endeavor to improve the food situation throughout the world have still not eliminated the imbalance which exists, and which will have to be eliminated if political and social tensions are to be alleviated. We should bear in mind with a world population of about 4.4 billion that most of the poor people in the world are in the underdeveloped world. Thank you very much.

M. SALAMEH (Syria): Mr Chairman, the revision of the concept of food security so as to be more appropriate is a propitious step taken by the Director-General of the Organization and we would like-to congratulate him for his initiative. we hope that this will be supported by all' member countries. We in our turn see that the realization of this concept would be best realized by taking the following steps: 1. This concept should permeate all the programmes and projects proposed in the Work Programme of the Organization. 2. It should be reflected in all the areas of agriculture and food in the post and pre-harvest stages or from the process of agricultural production until that of consumption. This concept would require experiements and field research on familiar and neglected crops. It should be supported by surveys on food and consumption. This is all undertaken in order to consolidate the efforts with a view to combating hunger and malnutrition on planned bases and that planned implementation should be undertaken by each country individually, and on the international level as a whole.

C. MOURAD (Liban) (interpretation de l'arabe) : Le document étudie C 83/21 est l'un des documents les plus importants de la présente session de la Conférence car il traite d'un problème qui intéresse de plus en plus les gouvernements, les individus et les peuples, à savoir la sécurité alimentaire mondiale. Assurer la sécurité alimentaire pour les pays en développement n'est pas moins important que leur sécurité politique et stratégique. Voire, la sécurité alimentaire est en fin de compte la base même de la sécurité sociale, économique et politique d'un pays en développement. Assurer la sécurité alimentaire mondiale relève d'une responsabilité internationale commune. Il est certain que la collaboration de la communauté internationale avec ses organisations et ses gouvernements est la seule garantie pour atteindre ce noble objectif. Le Directeur général de la FAO, lors de la dernière session du mois d'avril du Comité de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, avait présenté des propositions. Nous avons suivi par la suite la discussion de ce rapport lors du Conseil et nous voulons rendre hommage à l'accueil réservé à ces propositions par le Conseil. S'il y a eu des divergences sur telle ou telle de ces propositions, cela est normal, compréhensible et même logique. La délégation de mon pays estime que malgré ces divergences nous pourrons finalement nous mettre d'accord et arriver à un consensus sur la plupart de ces propositions lorsque nous aurons plus tard l'occasion de les étudier au sein du CSA. L'importance de ce sujet nous impose la néces­sité d'aider le Directeur général de la FAO dans les efforts qu'il entreprendra à l'avenir et il est du devoir de cette conférence de tracer, dès maintenant, les lignes à suivre. La délégation de mon pays souhaiterait que l'on adopte ici une résolution approuvant cette tendance; résolution que nous sommes disposés à soutenir. Pareille résolution devrait reposer sur ce qui suit :

1.L'approbation de certaines propositions du Directeur général par le CSA et le Conseil devrait être suivie par les mesures nécessaires pour leur mise a exécution.

2.La nécessité de demander au Directeur général de présenter les données et les renseignements complémentaires sur les propositions qui n'ont pas encore fait l'objet d'un accord afin qu'elles puissent être présentées au CSA lors de sa prochaine session en 1984.

3.La nécessité d'exhorter les pays donateurs et les pays nantis afin qu'ils aident les pays en développement à mettre en exécution leurs programmes nationaux relatifs à la sécurité alimentaire, et de demander à la FAO de fournir toute l'aide possible aux pays en développement à cet effet.


4. La nécessité derevoir le mandat du CSA et de l'adapter à la nature de l'étape prochaine,surtout que la sécurité alimentaire mondiale a maintenant un nouveau concept et une nouvelle dimension.

5.Demander aux pays donateurs et nantis d'augmenter leur aide en nature et en espèces, à tous les Programmes de l'Organisation liés à la sécurité alimentaire : le programme pour la prévention des pertes après récoltes, la RAIU et le programme d'aide à la sécurité alimentaire.

6.Afin que toutes les organisations et agences du système des Nations Unies ne dilapident pas leurs ressources et leurs énergies en des travaux et activités faisant double emploi ou contradictoires, elles seront requises de coopérer entre elles et de coordonner leurs travaux et leurs activités, compte tenu du rôle de pionnier et d'avant-garde joué par la FAO en matière de sécurité alimentaire mondiale.

En présentant ces éléments je suis heureux de réitérer le désir de la délégation de mon pays d'être parmi le groupe des Etats qui souhaiteraient que la Conférence adopte une résolution en ce sens.

B. FURNESS (United States of America): The Director-General's proposal for improving world food security provoked a very lively discussion at the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). There was widespread agreement on a number of issues, particularly those at the national level. However, many of the proposals, particularly at the global level, elicited sharp differences of opinion, and, at times, opposition.

In the CFS there was wide-spread agreement on the usefulness of most of the Director-General's proposals on action at the national level. We can all agree with the Director-General that action at the national level is "the indispensable basis for improved food security". We believe this area should be the main focus on future FAO work on improving food security. Particularly promising areas include national food strategies, management of national food stocks, increasing food production, improving production incentives, and greater emphasis on crops other than grain and increasing rural development and incomes. These are the areas where FAO has the technical competence to make a significant impact.

The CFS and the FAO Council did agree that there are a number of potential areas at the regional level for further work. We believe these include improving existing regional communication and information networks, joint development projects, intra-regional trade, sharing of research facilities, and cooperation in training and extension. However, we and others at the 1983 CFS cautioned against excessive expectations concerning the practical implementation of regional food security schemes and pointed out some of the numerous problems in regional and sub-regional reserve proposals. Therefore, we believe that FAO should go slowly on such reserve proposals, which should be considered only on a case-by-case basis as to their feasibility and their cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, action at the regional level should continue to be fostered as a support to national efforts, rather than prefigure possible arrangements at the international, world-wide level.

As made clear during past dicussions, the United States has serious problems with a number of substantive and institutional proposals at the international level.

Without dwelling on the details, the United States has questioned, and in some cases opposed, proposals for (a) a new convention to replace the International Wheat Agreement or alternative proposals, (b) a food options scheme, (c) proposed changes in the International Emergency Food Reserve, (d) prepositioning of food aid, (e) a code of conduct for national agricultural support measures, (f) consideration of liberalization and/or extension of the International Monetary Fund's Compensatory Financing Facility, (g) the various proposals on the Food Aid Convention, (h) development of long-term strategies for specific commodities, (i) a world food security compact, and (j) a world food security fund. We see no need for a code of conduct for agricultural trade outside of the GATT, which is the only multilateral organization with a mandate for trade negotiations.

On the other hand, the /? is willing to consider eventual proposals for a food security action programme. We believe that programs should be financed by voluntary contributions, as in FAO's action programmes on prevention of post-harvest losses.

The United States supports the Director-General's planned symposium for non-UN organizations, institutions and individuals on "New Directions in Thinking on World, Regional and National Food Security Issues".

We believe that proposals for strengthening the CFS within its existing mandate are worthy of further elaboration. However, we see no need or justification for establishing an FAO Food Security Council or CFS bureau, a more central role for the CFS in bringing together the elements in the food security system, or the CFS making recommendations to the WFC and CFA through the FAO Council.


In conclusion, we are encouraged by the clear consensus that emerged on a broadened concept of world food security. This by itself should help governments review their present programmes and policies, and to help them to take what steps they consider necessary to improve national food security.

The Director-General stresses -- and we agree -- that World Food Security is an issue of the utmost importance to the international community. The Director-General also stresses the need for urgency in building an effective global system for building food security. With this in mind, we hope that his proposals to the next CFS will stem from those that have received a consensus.

M.C. WENNER (United Kingdom): We, like the speakers before us, feel that the questions of World Food Security are extremely important and central to our consideration of the improvement of food and agriculture in the world. We were very glad to participate in the discussions of the Director-General's report both at the CFA and at the Council in June.

As we have already stated, we were grateful to him for preparing his review including his suggestions for improvements in the present system, which seem to us to require a certain amount of rationalization. We, as all other delegations, gave full support to the new revised concept, and we are particularly pleased to see that it was to cover such things as marketing and local price strategy, and in the emphasis to develop a viable local agricultural system.

However, as others before us have stated, we share some of the doubts already expressed about a number of the proposals which seem to us to add to rather than reduce the complexity of the present system, particularly at the international level. Proposals for a Fund and Compact and so forth would in our view duplicate work already being done by the development banks, the WFC and the Committee on Food Aid Policies. We did note, as is indicated in the paper, that there was no consensus within the Committee on Food Security in favour of these new proposals, although it was agreed - and we were part of that agreement - that they should be considered further. We would certainly look forward very much to hearing and receiving the development of the Director-General's ideas on these proposals further. My colleague from the United States has made a number of pertinent comments on those proposals which did not receive general consensus but which should be elaborated on at future meetings. We had understood that it was the intention of the Committee on Food Security to look into the question of institutional implications. However, these were discussed in some detail. We would therefore re-state our opinion that a review of this kind impinges very much on the areas of competence of other bodies, in particular the International Wheat Council, the World Food Council and the World Food Programme. We certainly agree that the CFS is entitled to look at these questions, but decisions effecting the mandates of other bodies should be taken by their own governing councils.

We, to turn to more technical matters, are sometimes concerned about stocking policies. We fully accept the need for a reasonable level of stocks and we are pleased that carry-over stocks this year are so high. We think, however, that what is needed is a mix of measures in a national food strategy, including inter alia a sensible food stocking policy. We think that there should be adequate incentives to farmers for local production and a well-planned trading policy to give the best possible return in international markets. We agree that national actions are the basis for improved food security, and we would like to distinguish here between the concepts of "self-reliance" and "self-sufficiency". For some countries, self-sufficiency is impossible and for others it is not desirable. What we need is a mix giving the best economic return for the largest number of people possible.

These are the only comments I would like to make. As I say, I would like to repeat that we look forward to hearing the development of the Director-General's proposals and we would hope that the many detailed comments that we made both at the CFS and at the Council and now here in the Conference will guide the Director-General in his work.

J. DE DIOS OSUNA (España): Quiero agradecer a la Secretaría de la FAO la realización de este documento y muy particularmente al señor Islam por su precisa información que considero de suma utilidad para este debate. El documento marca unas líneas claras de posibles actuaciones para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria mundial, nuestra delegación en su intervención de ayer se refirió fundamentalmente a los aspectos que se desarrollan en este documento.

Por otra parte, muchas de las delegaciones que han actuado en turnos anteriores han desarrollado puntos concretos y se han extendido en el análisis del documento, por lo que solamente quiero hacer hincapié en un punto que consideramos de suma importancia. Concretamente el punto 22 en el que se indica la necesidad de ampliar la atención que hasta ahora se ha dado a los cereales en la seguridad alimentaria mundial a todos los alimentos básicos. No todos los sistemas agrológicos son adecuados para la producción de cereales, por lo que la autosuficiencia sólo podrá alcanzarse en esas zonas mediante la intensificación de la producción de alimentos básicos adecuados a su medio. Pero la intensificación de esta producción debe pasar por la aplicación de tecnologías idóneas. En general, las técnicas de producción existentes han sido desarrolladas en países avanzados y están, por tanto, más orientadas hacia la producción de cereales.


Por otro lado, estos alimentos, por su mayor contenido hídrico son más perecederos que los cereales. Será preciso también desarrollar técnicas de conservación de alimentos adecuadas a estas producciones. La creación de la Dirección de Fomento de la Investigación y la Tecnología será un paso importante, pues entiendo que deberá prestar una atención preferente al desarrollo de estas tecnologías.

Por último, quiero hacer patente que en este mundo cada día más pequeño, los hábitos de vida van cambiando y acercándose cada día más, quizás por mimetismo, a los países más desarrollados.

Este fenómeno se observa más agudizado en los hábitos alimentarios, en los que influyen indudablemente las campañas de marketing llevadas a cabo por compañías multinacionales con grandes recursos financieros, y entendemos que inciden en el consumo de alimentos por ellos producidos.

Entendemos que las acciones encaminadas a incrementar las producciones de estos alimentos deben complementarse con campañas de orientación de la demanda para que los consumidores dirijan sus preferencias hacia ellos.

G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Al considerar este tema de la Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial, la delegación de Colombia piensa que hay que reconocer al Director General de la FAO la misión futurista, acertada y realmente positiva y eficaz como ha procedido en este campo. En efecto, desde hace varios años, cuando el Consejo Internacional del Trigo se durmió acerca de toda posibilidad de reiniciar las negociaciones para adoptar un nuevo acuerdo internacional sobre cereales, el Director General comprendió entonces las dificultades de esa situación, y la inconveniencia de permanecer con los brazos cruzados ante la ineficiencia del CIT y propuso el plan de cinco puntos, al amparo de cuyas orientaciones y directrices muchos países han logrado hoy avanzar hacia la seguridad alimentaria mundial. Luego, el CIT siguió aletargado y sólo fue capaz, en un gran esfuerzo, de prolongar el viejo, caduco e inútil acuerdo de 1971. Acuerdo que es apenas un código de buena conducta, una serie de tiernos consejos paternales porque no contiene cláusulas económicas ni disposición ninguna sobre la forma de constituir las reservas, ni referencia mínima a los precios que es uno de los problemas fundamentales en este campo.

Cuando decimos esto no entendemos la posición recientemente expresada por una respetable delegación que ha dicho que sigue oponiéndose a algunos aspectos fundamentales del informe del Director General, pero esa delegación no dice por qué también se sigue oponiendo en el seno del CIT a que se reanuden las negociaciones para lograr un nuevo convenio verdaderamente positivo y eficaz, un nuevo acuerdo internacional sobre cereales.

El párrafo 1 de este documento dice que no parece probable que se reanuden las negociaciones en un futuro próximo en el seno del Consejo Internacional del Trigo. Quisiéramos preguntarle, por su conducto señor Presidente, al señor Parotte, secretario ejecutivo del CIT, si está presente en la sala, como solemos verlo con frecuencia, que nos diga cuáles son las causas que siguen teniendo dormido al CIT, porque esto nos interesa particularmente. Están pasando muchos años, como dije en una ocasión: "Han pasado cien años de soledad" y creemos que el CIT está a punto de obtener, como lo propuso la delegación de Colombia en otro foro, el premio Nobel de la seguridad alimentaria mundial.

Entonces, ante esa situación de dilación permanente injustificada, el Director General ha elaborado el documento más importante y positivo que se haya producido en el seno de las Naciones Unidas. Ese documento contiene un nuevo concepto ampliado y revisado sobre la seguridad alimentaria mundial. En primera instancia lo discutimos en el Comité de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial y llegamos al acuerdo unánime de aprobar, sin discusión, la parte del informe referente a esas propuestas del Director General, de manera que por eso discrepamos de aquellas delegaciones que aún, obcecadamente, insisten en sus puntos de actitud contrarios a este valioso informe.

Luego, el Consejo de la FAO refrendó esos importantes conceptos y ya se evaluó el informe del Director General que adquirió dimensiones políticas mucho más amplias, al ser acogido favorablemente por el Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, por el ECOSOC y por la propia Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas. Después, no podemos negarnos a esta Conferencia que es nuestra propia Conferencia, a nuestro máximo organismo que es la FAO cómo podemos negarle la ocasión de que sea consecuente, de que sea coherente con los órganos rectores y haya algunos colegas que impidan la adopción unánime de esos principios que benefician directamente al mundo en desarrollo.

Seguimos apoyando esas iniciativas del Director General porque el párrafo octavo de este documento dice que la distribución real de existencias es muy irregular, conforme a lo que todos conocíamos. La excesiva concentración de las reservas en unos pocos países no garantiza ni siquiera el mínimo margen de la seguridad alimentaria mundial.

Hemos dialogado mucho en foros diversos sobre esa concentración de reservas. Algunas veces oímos a los voceros de los países desarrollados decir que les cuesta mucho el mantenimiento de esas reservas, y como creemos que son sinceros les hemos propuesto fórmulas alternativas para buscar los medios de movilizar, siquiera progresivamente, esas reservas hacia los países en desarrollo que las necesitan, pero nada se ha logrado hasta la fecha.


Por eso, compartimos el párrafo 16 de este documento que dice que "numerosas medidas acordadas en los foros internacionales no se han aplicado eficazmente en la práctica". Para corroborar esa frase, del párrafo 16 bastaría referirnos al caso del Fondo Monetario Internacional.

Cuando reclamábamos la asistencia financiera y técnica para que los países en desarrollo logren establecer reservas adecuadas, se nos dijo entonces que se iba a intervenir ante el Fondo Monetario Internacional para que se estableciera un servicio especial, un servicio cerealero. Sabemos que solo cinco países del mundo en desarrollo, solo cinco países pudieron hacer uso de ese servicio cerealero. En efecto, el párrafo 10 de este documento confirma esta limitación de países que han podido hacer uso de ese servicio y dice el párrafo 10 que el Consejo Ejecutivo del Fondo está revisando ese servicio.

Nosotros creemos que una de las funciones esenciales de esta Comisión debe ser consignar en nuestro informe un llamado al Fondo Monetario Internacional para que revise ese servicio, pero a fondo, con criterios realistas y pragmáticos, para que elimine las limitaciones que actualmente tiene ese servicio, para que ese servicio sea operativo y pueda ser utilizado ampliamente por los países en desarrollo.

Luego, en el Consejo Mundial de la Alimentación, surgió la propuesta, aprobada con entusiasmo en un determinado momento, de las reservas alimentarias propiedad de los países en desarrollo. Ahora ya, en los documentos del SMA esa propuesta ha desaparecido por completo. Esto confirma la carencia, la absoluta carencia de voluntad política con que actúan los grandes países productores en el campo de la seguridad alimentaria mundial. En efecto, desde 1974 quienes tuvimos la satisfacción de asistir a la Conferencia Mundial de la Alimentación nos complacimos de haber adoptado allá metas sobre las reservas que nunca se han alcanzado, que jamás se van a cumplir.

También nos han extrañado en el debate sobre este tema algunas referencias de oposición a los sistemas regionales de seguridad alimentaria mundial. Nosotros creemos, con todo respeto para los colegas que se oponen a la acción regional, que este campo lo conocemos mejor nosotros, quienes representamos a los gobiernos que están en los países y en esas regiones donde pasamos esos problemas. Por ejemplo, en América Latina y el Caribe el Sistema Económico Latinoamericano, el SELA, ha creado recientemente el Comité de Acción sobre Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial, con sede en Buenos Aires, Argentina, y nosotros estamos satisfechos y creemos que ese Comité, a través de ese organismo importante, puede ser eficaz y beneficioso para nuestros países. Pedimos que en este informe se incluya también la solicitud de apoyo en todos los órdenes para el Comité de Acción de Seguridad Alimentaria Mundial en la Región de América Latina y del Caribe.

En Asia, el ASEAN del grupo de cinco países productores de arroz fue uno de los primeros ejemplos. Y el ejemplo de Asia y América Latina y el Caribe puede ser seguido por otras regiones. Entonces,no entendemos por qué puede expresarse oposición a queseinte greunaacción regional dereservas en favor de la seguridad alimentaria mundial.

T. OKAMOTO (Japan): I, on behalf of my delegation, would like to congratulate the Secretariat for the concise and analytical document C 83/20 which summarizes the progress made in the implementing of the Plan of Action to Strengthen World Food Security, a re-appraisal of the concepts and approaches as well as the future action in this field.

With regard to the Plan of Action on world food security, we are pleased to note that there is a steady and positive progress being made. Paragraph 7 of the document states that "there are at present 72 countries which have adopted explicit national cereal stock policies. In addition, the EEC, six other developed and ten developing countries report that they follow stock practices which enable them to attain the objectives set out in the International Undertaking and Plan of Action."

It is indeed a great progression if we recall the situation before the world food crisis, where there was almost no stock policy in any country. There are the tangibile results of the efforts made by each country and the initiative taken by FAO in leading and guiding these countries.

As for the collective self-reliance effort of the developing countries, we appreciate the activities of CILSS, SADCC and SELA. We also welcome the establishment of "FAO Regional Commission on Food Security for Asia and the Pacific".

FAO's expertise and knowledge should be fully utilized in assisting these activities.

With regard to "a reappraisal of concepts and approaches: the Director-General's report and the reaction of the CFS and Council", my delegation does not feel that there is much need to add additional comments to this Conference as we have already made some comprehensive comments on specific issues in the Director-General's report in the course of a long and energetic discussion at the last CFS meeting.


We support the new concepts of world food security as they enable us to have a comprehensive approach in establishing world food security. However, at the same time, we should all recognize that the establishment of world food security depends upon the steady and continuous efforts of countries and international organizations involved.

In this connection, we would like to again emphasize the importance of well designed coordination of the international organizations within their respective mandates.

Finally, my delegation would like to request that the Secretariat distribute the revised Director-General's report well enough in advance of the Ninth CFS Meeting so that we may have sufficient time to study it carefully.

G.V. GANTCHEV (Bulgaria): The Bulgarian delegation has familiarised itself with document C 83/20 and finds it well drafted and well worded. Therefore, we fully support it in principle. In order to save time I do not intend to dwell on the points which we entirely endorse and which concern the question of food security and the relevant FAO plan of action. I will just mention a few things which, in the view of my delegation, could be considered from a slightly different aspect.

We are convinced that the efforts of each country to become self-reliant in food, so far as dynamic conditions permit, should be the main policy concern. Therefore, as far as the five points of the Plan under paragraph 6, page 1, are concerned, we place the fifth point first, because we cannot agree that "the use of international criteria for the management and release of national stocks" is the most important thing in the endeavour to attain global food security. These stocks should first be produced, and only then distributed. We believe that the main accent of the agricultural policy of each country should be on the production of larger quantities of and more diversified food products in order to meet the local demand and to produce eventual export.

I should also like to make my stand on a question we deem to be rather important. I refer to paragraphs 15, 16 and 17, on page 3, which deal with the expansion of world trade.' We believe this is of extreme importance for world food security. We believe that the land should be put to the practice of discrimination in export possibilities of the developing countries, of sanctions in trade and on the policy of diktat and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. Therefore, we fully support the proposals regarding this question in the Report.

I conclude by expressing the full support of my delegation to the document submitted.

The meeting closed at 17.20 hours
La seance est
levée à 17 h 20
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.20 horas


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