H. VANDEPUTTE (Belgique): Nous avons demandé la parole en tant qu'Etat Membre assumant la présidence des Communautés économiques européennes devant cette Conférence. Nous vous serions reconnaissants de bien vouloir accorder la parole à l'observateur de la CEE afin qu'il puisse intervenir au sujet des documents qui nous sont soumis et qui concernent la situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture, 1985.
G. DESESQUELLES (CEE): La Communauté économique européenne n'avait pas l'intention d'intervenir sur ce sujet concernant la situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture en 1985, car cette question a déjà fait l'objet de nombreuses discussions dans les différentes enceintes de la FAO au cours de cette année, ainsi que dans le cadre du débat général de notre Conférence.
Toutefois, ce matin, le document C 85/2-Sup.l a été distribué pour les travaux de notre Commission. Une lecture rapide de ce document nécessite l'intervention de la CEE sur le paragraphe 41. En effet, les affirmations de ce paragraphe manquent à notre avis de discernement. Il est faux de dire que la réforme en cours de la politique agricole commune résulte de problèmes budgétaires. A cet égard, s'il est vrai que le coût de la politique agricole commune a dépassé de 11 pour cent son budget initial en 1984, je rappellerai qu'un budget n'a qu'une valeur indicative et que toute institution publique a des budgets modificatifs pour prendre en compte les évolutions économiques.
J'aimerais aussi rappeler que la part de l'agriculture dans le budget européen était de 80 pour cent il y a dix ans, alors qu'en 1985, cette part n'était plus que de 66 pour cent.
En ce qui concerne la narration que l'affaiblissement récent du coût du dollar des Etats-Unis aggravera encore la situation budgétaire et en ce qui concerne les restitutions de la CEE, il me semble que le Secrétariat devrait faire preuve de prudence car, s'il est vrai qu'un récent accord est intervenu pour faire baisser le dollar, on doit se garder de tout pronostic sur l'évolution àmoyen et à long terme de cette monnaie.
Pour terminer, je voudrais insister sur le fait que la Commission des Communautés européennes n'a pas fait de proposition, comme il est dit dans le document, au Conseil des Ministres et que, dans ces conditions, parler de réaction des Etats Membres en ce qui concerne les mesures directes de soutien des revenus est inconcevable.
Je suppose que le Secrétariat veut parler du Livre vert de la Commission des Communautés européennes. Ce Livre vert est tout simplement une analyse des perspectives de la politique agricole commune; document qui sert de base à un dialogue entre les institutions communautaires et les organisations professionnelles. La population agricole dont les emplois et le style de vie sont directement concernés par la politique agricole commune a besoin d'une vue plus précise des perspectives à moyen et à long terme pour elle-même et la génération suivante.
Des consultations sont donc en cours et des conclusions opérationnelles par voie de propositions formelles de la Commission au Conseil des Ministres seront faites à la fin de cette année.
Je peux vous dire que ce ne seront pas des raisons essentiellement budgétaires qui conduiront la Communauté, mais aussi tous les pays concernés par des excédents de plus en plus structurels, à des ajustements de la politique agricole. Ces ajustements des politiques nationales de tous les pays en cause devront se faire avec le souci d'un partage équitable des conséquences de tels ajustements.
J. TCHICAYA (Congo): C'est précisément parce que nous sommes amis que je me permets de me réjouir de vous voir présider notre Commission. Je suis certain que, vous connaissant parfaitement, nos travaux aboutiront à des conclusions positives.
La délégation congolaise a examiné avec attention le document C 85/2. Il s'agit pour nous d'un document objectif qui analyse les principaux phénomènes économiques et monétaires qui ont conduit à l'actuelle situation de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture dans le monde. Nous félicitons le Secrétariat pour la qualité de ces deux documents et l'excellente présentation qu'en a faite ce matin le Professeur Islam.
La situation alimentaire globale, on le voit, est satisfaisante, mais la répartition de la production et des stocks alimentaires n'est guère, à nos yeux, équitable puisque l'abondance du Nord contraste. avec la pénurie de grand.nombre de pays du Sud. a cet égard, l'Afrique reste la région la plus préoccupante.
La récession économique mondiale est venue maintenant mettre en lumière une situation économique déjà fragile due à l'absence de structures viables de production soutenue. Le phénomène de l'exode rural, avec toutes les conséquences que cela entraîne, notamment les difficultés d'approvisionnement de centres urbains, agit négativement sur la production agricole globale.
La baisse des exportations des produits de base, dont il est fait mention dans le document, est consécutive aux disponibilités alimentaires de plus en plus faibles en raison non seulement de la baisse des actifs agricoles, mais surtout en raison de la faiblesse de l'utilisation des intrants agricoles.
Nous notons avec préoccupation, et ce n'est pas une surprise car les résultats qui sont dans les documents le montrent assez bien, que l'Afrique reste la région qui utilise le moins d'intrants agricoles. Rien d'étonnant que depuis déjà près de dix ans la production par habitant de cette région diminue. Cette situation, conjuguée à une insuffisance manifeste de devises, a contribué à exacerber la situation alimentaire de cette région. L'aide alimentaire, quoique substantielle, n'a pas permis de redresser sensiblement cette situation qui exige pour cela des mesures plus vigoureuses et soutenues.
Voilà, pensons-nous, une situation qui demande que la communauté internationale accroisse son aide publique au développement agricole pour permettre des investissements appropriés dans ce secteur. Nous pensons qu'il faut oeuvrer pour accroître la capacité de production vivrière nationale dans les pays en développement en accordant davantage de ressources sous forme d'aide publique à des conditions de faveur.
Nous voudrions exprimer ici nos inquiétudes sur ce qui est dit au paragraphe 67 du document C 85/2 qui montre que les conditions d'octroi d'aide sont devenues nettement plus rigides depuis les années 80. Ceci confirme la situation dans laquelle se trouve le FIDA dont les activités, on le sait, ont contribué à redonner confiance aux petits exploitants. L'évaluation récemment faite le démontre amplement.
Nous réitérons notre appel pour que les négociations sur la reconstitution des ressources du FIDA aboutissent avant le prochain Conseil des gouverneurs. En effet, nul n'ignore que l'introduction des technologies appropriées pour avoir l'impact voulu et durable sur la productivité des exploitations agricoles des paysans pauvres doit être épaulée par un besoin de financement qui répond à un équipement minimum. Cela est essentiel lorsque l'on sait que les petits exploitants ruraux restent les principaux producteurs dans les pays en développement.
La délégation congolaise se réjouit de l'intérêt croissant qui se dégage du rapport et nous espérons que la FAO mettra tout en oeuvre pour analyser avec détails l'évolution des cultures à racines, à tubercules, et le plaintain ainsi que les mesures à prendre pour accroître la production des racines, tubercules, légumineuses et autres cultures dites secondaires.
Bref, la crise alimentaire africaine étant structurelle, seuls des investissements productifs dans l'agriculture, la pêche et la forêt pourront venir à bout de ce fléau et le poids que représente le service de la dette extérieure ne laisse pas beaucoup de possibilités intérieures d'investissements et nécessite en conséquence une solidarité accrue liée à l'interdépendance des économies de tous les pays, ce qui appelle l'avènement d'un nouvel ordre économique international plus juste et plus équitable.
Car tant que le marché mondial sera réglé par la politique de quelques pays qui accélèrent et décelerent à volonté la production et par conséquent fixent les prix que les faibles doivent subir, cela accroît l'incertitude qui pèse sur les gouvernements de nos pays qui doivent à la fois assurer les importations alimentaires pour couvrir tant soit peu les besoins des populations et accroître la capacité de production pour l'achat d'équipements appropriés. C'est de cette façon que nous avons l'espoir de vaincre la faim et la malnutrition qui continuent à faire des victimes dans un monde d'excédent agricole et surtout disposant de potentialités évidentes pour nourrir correctement toutes les populations de notre planète. Mais, bien entendu, cela n'est possible qu'avec une volonté politique sans faille de tous les pays.
M. YOSHII (Japan): Japan , as the world's largest importer of agricultural products, has a special interest in the agricultural situation of the world. Its policy is therefore to make continuous efforts to secure stability in the world food situation, which is characterized by so much fragility.
With such a view in mind, we would like to commend the comprehensive analysis made by the Secretariat. We appreciate the regional review especially depicting the grave situation in Africa. These continued. works by FAO would certainly form the basis of national policy decisions and international cooperation.
World food production is indeed reaching the highest record, but there exist serious food problems in many African countries. Although the crisis has somewhat eased up, mainly due to the favourable climate this year, underlying problems do exist.
Agriculture is truly a very complex industry, much determined by national economic and social conditions. It is essential that countries which suffer from food shortages place the highest priority on agricultural development and solve the problems through self-help efforts. Cooperation by the international community should be strengthened to assist such efforts.
If I may mention Japanese cooperation, my Government has been enlarging ODA, setting up expansion targets twice so far, and successfully achieving them. The ODA budget for the present fiscal year has also increased by 10 percent as compared with the previous year, despite the fact that the total national budget has hardly increased. Furthermore, the Government has just set up the third ODA expansion target which is a new seven-year plan. Japan pledges its utmost endeavours in achieving it. In expanding its ODA, my Government places the highest priority on agriculture and rural development because of their importance in the national economies of developing countries and because of the importance of securing food in those countries and agricultural stability in the world.
A. JEAN-LOUIS (Haïti): Ma délégation vous adresse ses félicitations pour votre élection comme modérateur à cette importante commission. Le document C 85/2 et supplément présente l'avantage de situer le problème de l'agriculture à travers le monde dans ses dimensions réelles.
Mon pays n'échappe pas à l'analyse. Dans le drame de la crise économique mondiale, l'agriculture haïtienne affronte une période difficile, influencée par la dégradation des sols cultivables due à l'érosion, au manque d'utilisation rationnelle des eaux, à l'insuffisance du crédit, à la faiblesse des structures de commercialisation, de vulgarisation et de formation.
Parallèlement, la population s'accroît. Nos denrées d'exportation n'arrivent pas à contribuer valablement à fournir les devises nécessaires pour financer le développement.
Face aux contraintes, nous déployons des efforts inouïs pour limiter les dégâts; nous essayons d'étendre le système d'irrigation; nous avons lancé un vaste programme d'aménagement de bassins versants; nous avons pris des mesures pour mettre à la disposition des agriculteurs des semences améliorées, du crédit et des services de vulgarisation; l'appui de la FAO en particulier se manifeste dans toutes ces démarches à travers ses divers programmes de coopération.
Il est réconfortant de constater la haute qualité de ce diagnostic; il va sans dire que les causes du mal étant connues, en poussant la réflexion et en investissant une somme de volontés, les instances nationales et internationales pourront déboucher sur des solutions heureuses. Mais je voudrais insister sur le fait que quels que soient les efforts des gouvernements des pays d'Amérique latine et du tiers monde pour garantir une alimentation à leur peuple, ils n'y parviendront que dans la mesure où la coopération internationale devient plus agissante et plus humaine. Il est incontestable que si la situation des rapports entre le Nord et le Sud persiste à évoluer de façon défavorable, il serait illusoire de penser pouvoir rompre le cercle vicieux du sous-développement et de l'agriculture dans les années à venir.
V. DOBES (Czechoslovakia\): The document we have before us C 85/2 has been prepared in a qualified manner and provides a good review of the development of the situation.
My delegation has had the chance of expressing its position on the Secretariat's report already during the last session of the Council, and therefore I would like to limit my remarks today to our comments on only that part of the report which has been supplemented by new data since the last session of the Council.
First of all, let me say that we cannot agree with some comments in the world press suggesting that after the first appearance of rain in East Africa and the Sahel countries in late August and early September this year there was a substantial turn in development in that part of the world. On the contrary, I believe that it is exactly this situation that should mark the beginning of serious considerations by FAO and the other cooperating organizations of programmes and projects which would lead to the rehabilitation and stabilization of agricultural production not only in the drought-affected part of the continent of Africa, but also in developing countries in general.
Analyzing the situation for nutrition and agriculture in the period from 1980 to 1984, the document under consideration points out certain, no doubt, positive results. But it also reveals some serious aspects primarily concerning the economies of developing countries.
The protracted crisis of the world economy, characteristic of the late 1970s and early 1980s, has had its far-reaching consequences also for the sphere of agriculture and nutrition.
Although current world food production exceeds demand by 10 percent, it has to be said again that food production is in harmony with food distribution. The insufficient dynamism of agricultural production, together with outdated agricultural structures in developing countries, usually of a one-sided orientation inherited from the colonial era, and other socio-economic problems connected to ruthless exploitation by multinational monopolies and the attendant rising debt of developing countries have had an adverse effect on their overall economic development. We believe that the way out of this situation lies in a profound democratic transformation of international economic relations which may be brought about only on the assumption that an international economic order will be established and that it will have corresponding consequences in the sphere of nutrition and agriculture.
It follows from statistical data that in 1984 world food production rose by over 4 percent compared to the previous year. The production of cereals in 1985 is forecast at about 1 803 million tons, which represents an approximate 10 percent increase over last year. Global cereal stocks are estimated to rise to 302 million tons, which is 37 million tons more than the figure for 1984. Such stocks are sufficient for the recommended minimum, originally set at 10 percent of world consumption.
Later, it was recommended to raise this figure to 17 or 18 percent. Global stocks in the main producing countries will be such as to meet demands in cases of emergency and natural disasters, and basically to prevent the threat of hunger in some regions of the world. Also linked to it is the expected turn in foreign trade and a further development of prices for agricultural products which have been highly unfavourable to developing countries.
The data available to us indicates that about half of the population of the developing world is exposed to the risk of crop failure, hunger and malnutrition. The food aid programme in cereals is estimated to provide 10.8 million tons this year, while in 1984 the volume of such aid amounted to 12 million tons. Over 50 percent of that amount is destined for the continent of Africa. The situation, however, cannot be solved merely through food aid deliveries. It may be solved by means of programmes conceived on scientific grounds that may lead to a substantial returns. However, this cannot be achieved without rational use of materials and human resources. It should be pointed out that the decline in forests and in land for cultivation, the slow rate of expansion for irrigation schemes, the shortage of man-made fertilizers in a number of regions of the developing world and the insufficient number of agricultural experts in those countries are facts which should act as a warning. Solutions to the above problems require enormous financial and material resources. Such resources represent only a negligible fraction of the investments made by imperialists in senseless, armaments which they also impose on developing countries. It is clear that the fundamental prerequisites, substantial in nature, for improving world agriculture and the nutrition of the people on our planet are the safeguarding of world peace and international détente through gradual disarmament.
We regard the current situation in nutrition and agriculture as a highly complicated problem, the dimensions of which grew into a global problem long ago. Its solution, therefore, must be our common task. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic is interested in taking an active part in its solution and for this purpose offers its experience in the construction of agricultural cooperatives, its knowledge gained in research and in the application of progressive agricultural technology and, last but not least, the cooperation of its agricultural experts.
F. PIOTET (France): Les documents qui nous ont été présentés, de part leur clarté et leur précision,facilitent beaucoup nos travaux. Les interventions des délégués qui m'ont précédé et que j'ai entendus avec beacoup d'attention enrichissent aussi ce débat et permettent de parfaire une information qui en elle-même était déjà excellente. Tout ceci nous amène à une prise de conscience des problèmes atuels mais doit nous mener aussi et surtout à une meilleure prise de conscience des évolutions et des tendances de la situation alimentaire mondiale: c'est là le point essentiel si l'on veut, comme c'est notre souci ici, mieux maîtriser l'avenir.
A la fin de 1985, la situation alimentaire mondiale présente en fait un tableau relativement complexe, et les documents montrent bien toutes ces difficultés. Si l'on considère uniquement le niveau mondial, contrairement aux prévisions alarmistes des experts d'il y a dix ans, on constare que la production alimentaire a progressé de façon soutenue sur une longue période, même si dans un certain nombre de cas cette progression a été entrecoupée de crises conjoncturelles. Ces crises ne doivent pas cacher cette tendance ou cette progression.
En effet, dans les pays en développement considérés globalement,le taux d'augmentation de la production vivrière dépasse depuis 1970 le taux d'accroissement démographique, et cette augmentation s'est même accélérée au cours de la période la plus récente. En Afrique, nous le savons, l'aggravation de la sécheresse en 1984 dans une grande partie du continent, avait rendu la situation particulièrement dramatique; celle-ci a maintenant tendance à s'améliorer, mais de nombreux délégués l'ont dit avant moi, ce rétablissement, dont il est difficile de mesurer l'ampleur exacte, demeure fragile et cache des tendances lourdes qui sont toujours présentes.
En effet, nous sommes là, face à des causes structurelles; certaines sont d'ordre interne, j'en citerai quelques-unes. Il s'agit de la modification des habitudes alimentaires liées à l'urbanisation, de la désorganisation des circuits commerciaux, de la dégradation de l'environnement dans de nombreuses régions en raison de techniques inadaptées, de la faible priorité accordée à l'agriculture et au développement rural dans les politiques nationales et dans les choix en matière d'utilisation des ressources.
Il y a aussi des causes externes et nous en avons déjà évoqué certaines au cours de nos débats. Je citerai le faible cours de produits de base, le poids de la dette que de nombreux pays ont relevé, l'insuffisance des flux d'aide publique au développement.
Pour enrayer ces tendances une action en profondeur portant à la fois sur tous ces éléments est à l'évidence nécessaire. Certes, face à la crise que vient de traverser le continent africain, la réaction de la communauté internationale a été massive et rapide. L'aide alimentaire a atteint le record historique de 12 millions de tonnes dont plus de 7 millions pour le continent africain. Toutefois je devrais dire hélas - l'aide, dans de trop nombreux cas, a été en retard et les problèmes logistiques n'ont pas toujours été surmontés. Le système des Nations Unies dans cette lutte s'est largement mobilisé. A l'initiative de M. Perez de Cuellar, un'Bureau des opérations d'urgence en Afrique, chargé de coordonner les interventions de tous les organismes des Nations Unies, a été créé et oeuvre avec efficacité. Une conférence sur la situation d'urgence en Afrique, réunissant donateurs et pays affectés s'est réunie à Genève en mars 1985. En liaison avec le Programme alimentaire mondial de la FAO, dans le cadre de son mandat, des opérations importantes ont été engagées: surveillance de la situation dans les pays à déficit vivrier par le système d'information et d'alerte rapide, évaluations des besoins par des missions organisées dans les pays les plus touchés, conjointement avec le PAM et les donateurs, mobilisation des aides d'urgence multilatérales, mobilisation d'autres types d'aides toutes aussi utiles, très importantes même, comme les intrants et les matériels, en particulier par le Bureau des opérations spéciales de soutien. Notre pays a appuyé les efforts engagés par le système des Nations Unies; il approuve la création du Bureau spécial d'opérations d'urgence pour l'Afrique et soutient son action, notamment en y affectant un expert de haut niveau. Il participe activement aux conférences organisées par le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies et par notre Organisation. Notre contribution à la réserve agricole internationale d'urgence du PAM a été augmentée, passant de 20 000 tonnes en 1984 à 25 000 tonnes en 1985. Enfin, nous avons mis à la disposition de cet organisme des experts en logistique.
La France a également participé pour son propre compte et avec la CEE à cet effort; avec ses parte‐naires de l'Europe, elle a décidé en décembre 1984 au sommet de Dublin, de fournir 700 000 tonnes de céréales, supplémentaires aux pays africains, portant ainsi à 1 450 000 tonnes l'aide de la CEE pour la campagne de 1984-1985 aux 20 pays les plus touchés.
Sur le plan bilatéral, notre aide a atteint en 1984 pour l'ensemble des destinations 245 000 tonnes, dont 125 000 tonnes pour les pays d'Afrique au sud du Sahara. Enfin, l'urgence c'est aussile long terme, c'est même avant tout le long terme et dans cette perspective, permettez-moi de rappeler ici un certain nombre d'initiatives qui nous sont chères.
Nous avons, avec d'autres pays, décidé de contribuer de façon significat'ive au Fonds spécial pour l'Afrique, créé à Paris au début de cette année sous l'égide de la Banque mondiale. Nous nous engageons, avec d'autres pays aussi, à participer de manière active et importante au nouveau Fonds pour l'Afrique du FIDA. Enfin, je rappellerai que le Président Mitterrand a proposé à ses partenaires des pays les plus industrialisés, à l'occasion du sommet de Bonn en juillet dernier, un plan spécial pour l'Afrique prévoyant notamment la relance du développement agricole ainsi qu'un programme coordonné de lutte pour la désertification. Enfin, je terminerai sur ce thème de la désertification qui, je crois, est bien significatif d'une action à long terme car c'est aujourd'hui qu'il faut nous préoccuper des forêts, de notre environnement de demain.
A cet égard, la décision prise de réunir à Paris en février 1986 une conférence internationale sur l'arbre et la forêt devrait contribuer à l'effort que ressentent de nombreux pays. Cette conférence sera consacrée en particulier aux problèmes des forêts européennes qui, elles aussi, connaissent des difficultés, mais surtout au problème de la deforestation des pays d'Afrique qui constitue un thème prioritaire si l'on veut construire pour demain les bases d'un environnement plus favorable au développement de notre agriculture et de l'agriculture des pays africains.
H. HRISTOMANOV (Yugoslavia\): The document which you have presented to us is excellent. In addition to giving us a clear picture of the situation in particular fields, it also provokes thoughts and gives rise to the exchange of views on the experiences gained in various countries.
Allow me to present some of our experiences in the development of agriculture.
As a direct contribution to the increase in world food and agricultural production, Yugoslavia has in the post-war period increased its overall physical volume of agricultural production almost threefold while the agricultural population has decreased from 75 percent to 20 percent of the total population. Fitting itself into the overall development of the country's economy, agriculture has become an important factor in industrial development and is playing an ever important role in maintaining the stability of the overall economy of the country.
Five major industries in the agricultural sector, are being developed (food industry, textile industry, leather industry, tobacco industry and the livestock feed industry) which generate 27 percent of the gross national product. The agricultural sector, in turn, contributes to the industrial sector because the farmers are consumers of industrial products primarily from the indigenous metal processing and chemical industries that produce 12 percent of the gross national product. Therefore, it can be said that almost one third of the social, product of industry as a whole is formed thanks to marketing in agriculture, which is a kind of proof of the industrialization of agriculture.
All these facts indicate a close interdependence between the development of agriculture and non-agricultural activities, and the increased influence of agriculture on maintaining overall economic stability. According to some assessments, the impact of agriculture on the stability of the economy at large amounts to about 60 percent.
In the past three years, we were able to cover the needs of the domestic markets, to establish the necessary reserves, as well as to provide for exports amounting to US$ 1.3 billion per annum. The implementation of our programme calling for a significant increase in the agricultural exports will depend both on our competitiveness and on the conditions and circumstances of the world market.
Mr Chairman, before I conclude, I wish to emphasize that Yugoslavia , although itself a developing country, has been rendering material assistance, available resources, as well as technical know-how through numerous forms of bilateral cooperation in agriculture with almost 50 developing countries.
In addition to intensifying our own agriculture, we would be most happy to cooperate with FAO in similar efforts in the developing countries.
Y. MINTCHEV (Bulgaria\): I shall abide by your appeal and I shall be brief. Just let me make several observations.
In our judgement, document C 85/2 introduced by Professor Islam is a very important and professionally worked out one. The survey shows the critical situation in food production and agriculture, and the problems resulting from the world's economic crisis.
The problem of development of agriculture as a basis of production of food is an extremely important one for FAO's activity as well as for the future of humanity. The statistical data and analysis contained in the document show that agricultural production in the world as a whole increases, and this year is expected to be about, 1,800 million tons of grain. These results are encouraging but, as is well known, the distribution of that amount is extremely unproportional. When one takes into consideration the long-standing shortage of food for most developing countries due to economic, political, climatic or demographical causes, the discrepancies between the production and the needs of those countries can easily be seen.
The main question which has preoccupied our attention in the last decade is what to do in the future, how the problem of feeding should be solved. We are fully aware that FAO, even with its active and comprehensive activities, cannot alone resolve the problem of hunger. There
is a necessity for full mobilization of the efforts of the world community in order to find sufficient resources for investments, training of local experts, supplying of seeds, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and technologies for modernization and intensification of agriculture.
The international assistance to those countries in need is quite impressive, but still there is no resolution. There is a need for increased resources, part of which can be found in those very countries. The other part should come from external assistance.
I should like to state once again that real disarmament should free additional resources, part of which can be used for the development of agriculture all over the world. There is a clear inter-relation between international economic relations and food supply. My delegation cannot justify the use of food aid as a means of political pressure. A serious obstacle to international trade is protectionism. There is a need to further develop prices of agricultural products which at present are very unfavourable for the developing countries. In our opinion, the development of production, the modernization of agriculture and the improvement of the social status of people living in the rural areas represent ways of solving the food problem.
Mr Chairman, allow me, before concluding my remarks, to state once again that my country, according to its abilities, is ready to work together with FAO for the solution of the food problem. We are going to support all the constructive proposals which can bring improvement and well-being to all people and eliminate hunger and malnutrition.
Ms N. MORAD (Egypt\) (Original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, I should like to thank you for giving me the floor for the second time. Although we commend the Secretariat's efforts in the preparation of document C 85/2 on the situation of food and agriculture in 1985, we have reservations concerning the sentence which describes agricultural production in Egypt as stagnant. In this respect, we would like to say that the Government has granted the agricultural sector great importance which has led to considerable progress in certain areas. We shall present the Secretariat with a detailed report on this issue.
We agree that the international economic situation cannot be divided from the food problem and that the present economic crisis, although it has started to recede in certain countries, is related to the agricultural and food situation in the world. In fact the developing countries are most affected by the crisis. The low priced commodities and the protectionist policies applied by the developed countries, in addition to unfair economic relations at the international level, have particularly affected the developing countries. Moreover, the economies of these countries face a real challenge because of the increasing debt burden, the service of this debt, the high rates of interest, the fluctuations in exchange rates and the deterioration of the terms of trade. These constitute real obstacles for farm producers and oblige them to change their activities as they suffer from low prices of their products. The developing countries will continue to suffer the most in our world if we do not find solutions to these problems, and if we do not achieve a new and just economic order.
1.11 of the Report describes the deteriorating economic situation in Africa after the disasters that hit the continent, particularly drought, which has extended to affect 25 countries directly or indirectly. We are pleased to know that it is now possible to consider the emergency situation in Africa south of the desert over in 16 countries. This leads us to hope with optimism that we will overcome the crisis which has affected millions of people in Africa.
However, the suffering of these people should be borne in mind all the time and we should not forget this suffering. We should, in fact, mobilize all our efforts in order to work so that these do not recur, particularly by helping the African countries to implement long-term and medium-term projects that will enable them to achieve food self-sufficiency and combat similar crises.
We would like to commend the efforts made by the Director-General in the rehabilitation of agriculture in Africa and we would like to thank the countries who have hastened to participate in this project. I would like to emphasize the importance of the Early Warning System and the General Information System and their implementation in the developing countries in order to avoid future disasters and their after effects.
M. AGIAG (Libya\) (Original language Arabic): I will comply with your wish and the brief and start directly with the comments we have. You have asked us not to raise political issues. However, you know that this is related to the wish of the countries who have the monopoly of food commodities-snot to link food to political issues, yet use it to exert pressure on poor countries that cannot produce the food to meet their needs. The amount of food aid has never been a source of satisfaction at any time in the past and it cannot be considered anything more than a sort of tranquillizer The real aid which should be provided by the international community is the transfer of technology and scientific methods that would enable the people in the developing countries to increase and intensify their production and to establish a new international economic order that would free them from economic dependence and monopoly.
It is obvious that although the rate of food aid has increased, it has not satisfied the essential needs, especially of those who suffer from hunger and poverty. The Jamahiriya has had a unique experience in developing its domestic product by reclaiming large areas of the great desert land to produce food. This has led to our meeting 60 percent of the country's cereals needs and has enabled us to attain self-sufficiency in the production of vegetables, fruit, poultry and white meat. Moreover, other complementary activities have received their appropriate shares of investment capital through the different development programmes which I cannot mention here due to time constraints.
Mr Chairman, finding solutions to remedy the present situation of food commodities is impossible as long as monopolistic policies continue to prevail in the world. Therefore we, as an international community, have to adopt the principle of liberating food commodities and agricultural development in the developing countries. This includes, inter alia, the balancing of supply and demand which serves the interests of rich producing countries rather than those of the countries of the Third World. It also includes liberating the trade in production inputs, the most important of which is mentioned in the paper concerning the use of fertilizers. According to us, however, these cannot be considered development indicators, as real development means helping developing countries to acquire scientific methods and technologies to increase production and reduce yield-losses, as well as establishing constructive co-operation for the well-bring of mankind and its liberation from the want of food.
H. ÖGÜT (Turkey): We wish to congratulate the Secretariat for the comprehensive documents it has prepared on the state of food and agriculture. We agree in general with its analyses.
The present state of food and agriculture in the world indicates that long-term measures, in addition to those short-term ones, need to be taken urgently. Huge debt problems, erratic exchange rates and high interest rates, increasing protectionism and the insufficient flows of resources still hamper the efforts of the developing countries to redress their economies.
As indicated in the Secretariat document, there is an increase in the world production of food. However, the fact that the world has been faced with the tragic situation in Africa at the same time, and the fact that there is a decrease in the production of some of the other developing countries, cannot be ignored. The state of trade in agricultural commodities in the world indicates that increase in production is not sufficient by itself to correct the situation unless measures in the trade of agricultural commodities are taken. This is especially important since it would not be realistic to expect all countries to be self-sufficient in food production, given the fact that many countries will continue to depend on imports of at least some of their needed foodstuffs to meet their domestic requirements.
The substantial growth in the output of agricultural commodities in the past years, although most desirable, has led to depressed prices and to the disarray of the commodity market. This situation already points to the structural imbalances in the world's agricultural output and supply system, but it is still the low-income, commodity-exporting countries that suffer the most, in particular as regards their food security. Unless serious efforts are made for the creation of stable conditions in commodity markets through the concerted action of both the producers and consumers to their mutual benefit, complaints about the present situation are bound to continue.
In this context, the concerted efforts of all nations to solve world trade problems, exacerbated in particular by the evil of protectionism, are absolutely necessary.
Turkey has made significant progress in stepping up agricultural production and has attained self-sufficiency in most agricultural commodities. This result has been achieved through sustained self-help efforts and sound policies emphasizing education, research and extension systems. We are ready to share our experience with other developing countries and to contribute to all international efforts aimed at improving the present food situation in the world.
A. MAGALHÃES COELHO (Portugal): Nous aimerions féliciter le Secrétariat pour les documents C 85/2 et C 85/2-Sup. 1 qui nous donnent une excellente perspective de la situation mondiale et de l'agriculture avec leurs impacts positifs et négatifs.
Ces documents font ressortir la situation des pays développés qui sont excédentaires en aliments par rapport aux pays en développement où les aliments sont insuffisants pour nous et la population existante, particulièrement en Afrique où la production des aliments n'est pas encore accompagnée d'une croissance démographique.
Mon pays s'inscrit normalement dans le Groupe des pays développés par rapport à ses caractéristiques écologiques, ses difficultés structurelles, ses problèmes techniques, d'appui, ou de manque d'appui financier et même par une politique suivie qui consiste à ne pas considérer l'agriculture comme une priorité. Il importe à peu près 60 pour cent des aliments dont il a besoin. A peu près un quart seulement du territoire portugais a des aptitudes agricoles et en raison des besoins d'approvisionnement interne, nous sommes obligés d'explorer des sols marginaux pour l'agriculture et, en conséquence, nous avons des rendements unitaires très bas et des cueillettes qui dépendent de la fréquence des pluies durant l'année.
Nous sommes d'assez grands importateurs de céréales: pour la panification nous produisons seulement un tiers de notre nécessité interne. Nous sommes aussi de grands importateurs d'huile et de semences d'oléagineux.
Les importations de maïs, soja et tourteaux d'oléagineux qui produisent des aliments concentrés destinés à l'élevage provoquent d'énormes difficultés au niveau de notre balance commerciale.
Notre grande valeur d'exportation c'est le concentré de tomates que tous nos distingués acheteurs considèrent comme étant d'excellente qualité.
Au niveau du secteur forestier, les pâtes à papier, les bois,le liège et quelques essences sont pour nous d'une très grande importance et constituent des produits d'exportation et d'approvisionnement du marché interne.
Au niveau des aliments, il faut souligner l'importance des conserves de poisson et la grande richesse de mon pays en poisson: l'une des plus élevées du monde.
Nous avons quelques difficultés avec l'actuelle structure de l'entreprise agricole dont plus de 84 pour cent sont représentés par des exploitations possédant moins de 5 hectares,ce qui oblige les agriculteurs à adopter un système de pluriactivités.
La réforme agraire qui avait été amorcée au sud du pays est en ce moment en révision parce que sa définition a rencontré des aspects politiques que nous considérons exagérés.
Notre intégration prochaine au marché commun élargi exigera de notre part des profondes modifications structurelles de production, de commercialisation et d'industrialisation des produits agri‐coles ainsi qu'une nouvelle orientation de la production visant le développement des cultures; secteur où nous pouvons être compétitifs.
L'année dernière, nous avons terriblement souffert des incendies forestiers qui ont détruit la forêt. Nous avons dû faire face à une tâche supérieure à celle qui nous était possible d'affronter en ce qui concerne la reforestation.
Cette situation crée un climat psychologique grave vis-à-vis de la population qui n'est pas vraiment convaincue de l'intérêt qu'il y a de replanter si demain la forêt doit de nouveau brûler.
Nous devons prendre des mesures pour minimiser les effets des incendies forestiers parce que la forêt au Portugal représente à peu près 35 pour cent des valeurs de nos exportations.
A.K.M. KAMALUDDIN CHOUDHURY (Bangladesh\): Mr Chairman, I would like to compliment Dr Islam for his excellent presentation of the document on the world food and agricultural situation. Looking at the world food situation, both production and consumption, we take some satisfaction that food production has increased on an overall basis in the world. However, we must not forget also that vast numbers of people are still afflicted with hunger and malnutrition in various countries of Asia and Africa. There is still a serious shortage of food in many African countries, although the situation has eased somewhat in the recent months.
I would like to turn briefly to the experience of Bangladesh in the field of agriculture. For us, the 40th Anniversary of the FAO has a special significance as it coincides with the launching of our Third Five-Year Plan which will cover the period between 1985 and 1990. The main focus of the Third Plan in Bangladesh is poverty alleviation. As an agrarian country, food and agriculture remain the cornerstone of our national development priorities.
The forces underlying our poverty are low technology, low investment and low productivity. The Third Plan lays emphasis on a generation of employment and income, development of technology and skill formation, so as to improve the productivity of our two main resources, land and water.
Primary efforts are directed in the Third Plan to the attainment of food self-sufficiency while at the same time trying to reduce the rate of population growth. During the Second Plan we had achieved an average ground growth rate of 3.6 percent in food grains production against the annual population growth rate of 2.4 percent. We-have projected food grain production growth rate at 12 percent per annum in the Third Plan period through expansion of high-yielding variety technology which is expected to significantly improve food availability and the status of nutrition in the country.
Recognizing the problems of scarce ground water availability in the dry season, special emphasis is being attached to efficient management and use of surface water irrigation. Our aim is to promote agricultural research for improving yields in dry land and rain-fed crops. Another major priority has been given to undertaking crop diversification programmes to improve the nutrition status.
Unfortunately, due to budgetary and other constraints, we have been forced to withdraw subsidies on agricultural imports. We are afraid that this subsidiary action may produce a negative impact on the productivity of the small and marginal farmers who are preponderant in Bangladesh . Low levels of income and lack of adequate demand are the chief constraints inhibiting agricultural productivity in our land, and the focus of development should be on income generation and distribution improvement. It is in this context that the value of appropriate pricing policies in agricultural products is assuming vital importance for desirable resource allocation and balanced growth.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the FAO for the TCP project which has greatly helped us in formulating our policies.
W.L.R. CLARK (Canada): As you all know, global trends in food and agriculture are of great interest to Canada for a number of reasons. First of all, Canada is a major participant in international cereals trade. It is the largest exporter of fish products as well as being a major provider of food aid and agricultural development assistance - to name but a few.
As Mr Islam pointed out in his introduction to this agenda item, the first half of the 1980s has indeed witnessed major shifts in global food trends: spectacular progress in many Asian countries (particularly in China), structural surpluses in Western Europe and the United States, reduced imports by some Eastern European countries and the African crisis which has so preoccupied all of us.
This decade so far shows signs of improvements in several areas: production is increasing, global food stocks are plentiful and of most importance, nutritional levels continue to rise overall. The major exception, of course, has been the critical situation in several African countries, but even there we are encouraged by the latest reports which indicate plentiful crops this year for many African nations.
This being said, we agree with the FAO Secretariat and the vast majority of the membership that there is no room for complacency. Africa's road to rehabilitation will be a long and difficult one. Asia and Latin America, despite some considerable progress, still contain vast pockets of hunger and malnutrition, and, as many other speakers have warned, we may be on the brink of a very serious agricultural trade war.
Canada 's position is very clear. On the one hand, food and agriculture will continue to be the top priority of our growing development assistance programmes. On the other hand, we will continue to work towards a more open and freer trading system. Not only is protectionism economically wrong because it distorts international markets to the detriment of the most efficient producers (of which I think Canada is one), but protectionism is also wrong in human terms because it prevents the benefits of the most efficient production systems from being passed on to the consumers, and ultimately protectionism works against the interests of the hungry and the malnourished. In this respect, we are very sensitive to the concerns of Third World countries which, like us, depend largely on agricultural commodity exports.
As Chairman of our House of Commons Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, I wish to say a few words about recent trends in Canadian agriculture. Compounding our concerns over international protectionism, my Government has had to deal with serious domestic problems in this sector.
Soil degradation, drought and other unfavourable climatic factors have combined to reduce our wheat crops by as much as 20 percent these past two years. Our wheat exports have declined over the past four years. In fact, our wheat stocks are now the lowest in 33 years. After good catches in 1981, fish landings have declined every year since ... and I could go on. Meanwhile production costs have increased, and the financial environment has deteriorated.
The net effect has been a drop in income for our farmers and fishermen who, as in many developing countries, are in many ways the backbone of our economy, and they represent a large share of our foreign exchange earning capacity. In fact, approximately 20 percent of our farmers are now in financial difficulty, and unfortunately, many of them are among our youngest and most efficient producers.
Our Minister of Agriculture has been very seriously preoccupied by these problems and has made it a top priority to try to address the financial plight of our food producers while at the same time attempting to reinforce Canada 's competitive position on international markets.
With respect to the review of the global state of food and agriculture which is before us, I wish to commend the FAO staff for the work they have done in preparing the documents. This kind of analytical work is clearly in the spirit of the mandate given to FAO by its founders some 40 years ago in Quebec City.
We encourage the Secretariat to pursue its efforts in this area and, if I may, I might suggest a few avenues for future work. Even though this document is already a response to earlier requests by my delegation and others for more disaggregation of production and consumption data, a further step in this direction would be to include more comparative analysis on the basis of levels of income "per caput". In a similar vein, it would be useful to include more case studies, for example, regarding the impact on production levels and productivity of various investment strategies or policy approaches.
In the interest of saving time, I will not give here any further detailed list of our suggestions, but I would like to emphasize one more theme for further FAO analysis. It is fitting, only a few months after the Nairobi Conference, to underline the role of women in food and agriculture. We know that FAO is active in this area and that we, as the governments involved, need to do more to translate our commitments into action. But we see the FAO playing a useful role in providing more hard facts, more case studies and finally bringing out this theme more visibly in further reports. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm my Government's support for FAO's analytical work as exemplified by documents such as these.
Sra. R. FERNANDEZ LEON (España): Seré muy breve, Sr. Presidente, atendiendo a su petición de esta mañana para decir, en principio, que la delegación española manifiesta su agradecimiento por los valiosos documentos aportados, ambos de gran profundidad, excelentes aportaciones técnicas al que ya han sido incorporadas interesantes reflexiones por otros países que nos han precedido en el uso de la palabra en este debate, y que entendemos no procede reiterar.
No obstante, la delegación española sí quiere manifestar, de acuerdo con las declaraciones de nuestro Gobierno en diversos foros internacionales, que la reciente firma del Tratado de Adhesión de España a la Comunidad Económica Europea coloca a nuestro país en una doble situación: por una parte, la necesidad de adopción por nuestro país de la política agraria comunitaria y, por otra, destacar que nuestros lazos culturales tradicionales nos ligan a las naciones hermanas de América y a los países ribereños del Mediterráneo situados en el Norte de Africa, por lo que vivimos con particular sensibilidad la recesión de las economías agrícolas de Africa y América Latina en el quinquenio 1980-84.
Por ello, nuestro país se brinda como interlocutor, como puente que conduzca al entendimiento y colaboración que debe presidir las decisiones de la Comunidad Económica Europea en la búsqueda de una abierta cooperación que asegure, por una parte, la transferencia de tecnología, la información y la formación de los beneficiarios y, por otra, la planificación y ejecución de programas que apoyados en la aplicación de políticas pragmáticas, flexibles y consecuentes, que se citan en la página 2 del documento aportado, conduzcan al desarrollo y bienestar, concediendo particular atención a las necesidades, conveniencias, aspiraciones y derechos de los países en desarrollo.
H.K. QUARTEY-PAPAFIO (Ghana): I must first add my voice to that of other delegates who have already spoken to congratulate the FAO Secretariat on the useful and well balanced review of the State of Food and Agriculture covering the past four years as contained in document C 82/2 and its supplement. This document is commendable both in its scope and the relevant statistical analysis which it contains. It clearly spells out the difficult situation which the world's agriculture has gone through.
This state of affairs, as indicated during the first three years from 1980 to 1983, reflects the conditions through which my country has passed. It was a period of very difficult economic situations, with widespread bush fires which critically affected food production and disrupted electricity generation, on which most agro-based industries depend. Inflation during this period increased, averaging as high as 75 percent, which was further aggravated by the drought. In addition, per capita income during this period decreased and there was a decline in export earnings. However, with the assistance of donor countries and international agencies, aided by favourable weather conditions, this trend has been reversed and substantial achievements have been recorded in the production of maize, starchy foods and vegetables over the past two years. But despite this achievement, there are still various factors, both internal and external, which should be given urgent attention if the improved trends in production are to be sustained and increased.
At the national level, the costs of inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, machines and agricultural services, have been increasing to an extent that there has been a reduction in their demand, which indirectly has led to a reduction in yields and, therefore, the total output of crops. This is bound to happen in the long run if producers' prices are not increased. The high costs of agricultural inputs, in my mind, have been the result of their high prices, because they are manufactured by the developed countries. Export products, which have been introduced at high costs, cannot find favourable prices because of the protectionist policies pursued by some industrialized countries. This is only one example of paradoxical situations which I believe most developing countries are facing now. It is therefore gratifying that the Director-General has made concrete proposals by which some of these unfair economic relationships between developed countries and developing nations can be resolved.
In addition to these measures proposed by the Director-General, I wish to suggest that: (i) capital investment in agriculture be increased for developing countries; (ii) the World Food Security Compact be adopted by all countries to offset hunger which might result from natural disasters; (iii) technical assistance also be increased to ensure rapid utilization of untapped resources in agriculture in developing countries; (iv) outstanding commodity agreements be reactivated.
On the national level, my Government is trying to encourage increased food production by farmers by adopting the following additional strategies; (i) developing small irrigation schemes; (ii) making special trade arrangements for small peasant farmers; (iii) creating more stable and appropriate incentive policies; (iv) improving the transport services infrastructure to preserve distributing and marketing facilities; (v) encouraging agro-forestry participation to ensure maximum utilization of farm land and reduce land degradation; (vi) providing for maize storage facilities and driers for farmers; and (vii) controlling post-harvest losses at the field level.
In conclusion, I wish to affirm my Government's support for all the measures being taken by FAO to promote agriculture and food production in the world.
I. OUMAROU (Niger): Comme les autres orateurs qui m'ont devancé, je dirai que les deux documents C 85/2 et son supplément sont très clairs et démontrent la complexité des problèmes, notamment ert Afrique, continent dont la situation agricole alimentaire est source de préoccupations. Deux millions d'Africains sont dans une situation de survie et menacés dans leur existence même. Leur sort dépend de la volonté de leurs gouvernements mais également des forces économiques mondiales. Beaucoup de gouvernements font d'ores et déjà des efforts importants pour mettre leur population à l'abri du besoin, mais force est de constater que la situation demeure critique. Comment alors l'expliquer? Je note pour ma part les conditions naturelles défavorables, notamment la sécheresse; c'est en tous cas le cas au Niger, en plein coeur du Sahel, où l'essentiel de la production vient encore des cultures pluviales, faute de ressources hydrauliques, de surfaces suffisantes pour penser à des cultures irriguées. L'amélioration de la production enregistrée en 1985 par suite du retour des pluies montre l'importance de ce facteur dans l'accroissement de la production.
En second lieu,la modernisation de la production appelle,entre autres, la consommation d'intrants agricoles que nos pays ne produisent pas. Là intervient la dépendance puisque,faute de devises suffisantes,les pays sont dans l'incapacité d'importer des intrants nécessaires à l'amélioration de la production agricole qui, de ce fait, diminue inévitablement du fait de l'appauvrissement du sol et de la baisse du potentiel du matériel végétal.
Le service de vulgarisation demeure souvent embryonnaire du fait de l'insuffisance du personnel en quantité et en qualité.
Si l'on ajoute à cela la dégradation des termes de l'échange, le taux d'intérêts élevé, engendrant un endettement propre à hypothéquer des ressources à consacrer aux investissements, on comprend dès lors pourquoi les pays se débattent dans une situation critique. L'aide au développement, pour relancer l'agriculture, nous paraît seule de nature à assurer une solution durable. C'est de cette aide-là que l'Afrique a besoin, sans contraintes, en respectant la priorité que les Etats ont librement définie.
R. TREMINIO (Nicaragua): Vamos a tratar, Sr. Presidente, de ser breves en la exposición.
El desarrollo de la agricultura en la economía mundial se convierte cada día en un factor determinante de estabilidad política y social, principalmente en los países en vías de desarrollo.
El desequilibrio entre la producción y el consumo de alimentos, acentuado por una relación injusta de intercambio en el mercado internacional, que incide fuertemente en las economías de los países pobres,hace que la esperanza de éstos se frustre y el marginamiento y el hambre afloren con gravedad. La deuda crece en estos países y el flujo de capital para trabajo e inversiones cae en forma alarmante. De esta manera se observa un futuro incierto y prolongado.
Es necesario entonces, apoyar esfuerzos múltiples de conjunto para crear condiciones económicas fa‐vorables para los países pobres. Una situación de este tipo posibilitaría una introducción al desarrollo agrícola y, por consiguiente, la senda para alcanzar una armonía y bienestar de las fuerzas productivas y sociales.
La recesión económica mundial en el período 1980-84, ha producido efectos graves en los países en desarrollo. La recuperación sigue siendo crítica en estos países, quienes enfrentan a su vez un en‐deudamiento galopante y relaciones de intercambio injustas en el mercado internacional.
El deterioro de la economía mundial, las relaciones de intercambio y las políticas agrícolas de los grandes países exportadores favorecen condiciones desestimulantes para el desarrollo de la producción agroalimentaria mundial.
En todo caso, las buenas intenciones de los países en desarrollo han sido obstaculizadas por el clima económico negativo mundial. A la vez que se pone de manifiesto una política de fuerza, de intervencionismo, cuyo efecto obliga a reducir considerablemente las subvenciones a sus programas de desarrrollo agrícola y de distribución de alimentos.
En el contexto mundial, es urgente asumir posiciones firmes para luchar contra el hambre y la miseria. También se hace necesario a lo interno de los países, adoptar medidas y políticas prácticas, amplias. e identificadas con la realidad y la problemática de desarrollo, para impulsar de forma efectiva la producción de alimentos. Es viable y se tiene la oportunidad de hacerlo en muchos países de la tierra. Así se señala en el contenido analítico del documento C 85/2 de esta Conferencia.
En el marco de la situación alimentaria mundial se observa que la ubicación geográfica de algunos países y pueblos es determinante para lograr objetivos de seguridad alimentaria. Esta situación es crítica en países africanos que sufren sequías año con año y requieren por ello el apoyo internacional. También otros países del mundo padecen efectos negativos de la naturaleza, periódicamente sequías e inundaciones. Estos últimos son también países en vías de desarrollo que requieren del apoyo internacional para afrontar problemas de déficit alimentario.
Es importante entonces pensar seriamente en desarrollar mecanismos que favorezcan soluciones viables a estos problemas. Por un lado, garantizar aportaciones mínimas de alimentos para enfrentar brechas de consumo y, por otro, desarrollar opciones de producción para garantizarlos. Estos mecanismos pueden manejarse complementariamente y sería el punto crítico para fortalecer la investigación agrícola muy incipiente en los países en vías de desarrollo.
La atención mundial a la producción de alimentos parte del desarrollo mismo de las tecnologías agrí‐colas en función a las condiciones agroecológicas y socioeconómicas de los productores y de los países. Fortalecer el marco de ayuda internacional y regional a la investigación y transferencia tecnológica es de vital importancia para crear condiciones favorables y propias de desarrollo pro‐ductivo y económico.
Nicaragua, Sr. Presidente, ante la perspectiva difícil de la economía mundial, ante la agresión y bloqueo económico impuesto por el país más rico del planeta, ante los desastres naturales sufridos entre 1983 y 1985 clama ante este foro una atención más determinante para afrontar una agricultura mundial en crisis, que incide sobremanera en el desarrollo económico y social de los países pobres, que desean vivir en paz y prosperidad.
En Nicaragua la agresión y bloqueo imperialista ha sido el factor obstaculizador para lograr los objetivos nacionales de desarrollo agrícola, económico y social. Además, las pérdidas humanas causa‐das por las agresiones militares son cuantiosas. El país ha sufrido daños de infraestructura por más de trescientos noventa millones de dólares. Asimismo pérdidas por trescientos cincuenta y un millones de dólares en lo relativo al comercio y préstamos, en sólo 1983 y mil ciento veinticinco millones de dólares en ayuda multilateral. Seguido de estas agresiones hemos enfrentado también problemas por sequía e inundaciones, cuyos efectos físicos reflejan pérdidas de doscientas sesenta mil toneladas métricas aproximadamente de los principales granos alimenticios.
La situación de guerra y bloqueo impuesta por el imperialismo reduce drásticamente nuestras posibi‐lidades de un desarrollo agrícola estable y en consecuencia se nos hace más difícil aún el logro de la seguridad alimentaria. Acompañado de esto enfrentamos igualmente el problema de la deuda externa y las políticas de precios y de intercambio injusto en el mercado internacional.
Sr. Presidente: para encontrar salidas justas al subdesarrollo, es necesario buscar el apoyo solidario de los pueblos, fortalecer la cooperación internacional para las inversiones y el desarrollo tecnológico en la agricultura, solucionar la deuda externa e incidir en el mejoramiento de una política de precios y de intercambio mundial. Sólo así se abriría un horizonte más claro para todos los países del mundo.
H.BAR-SHAI (Israel\):In compliance with your request, Mr Chairman, I will not express my congratulations on your being elected as Chairman of this Commission in this Fortieth Year of FAO.
The excellently prepared reports of the Secretariat indicate a rather optimistic picture. Production quantities have increased, and that is good because there will be some release from hunger, although it may cause price and income problems, though this is the lesser evil. Nevertheless, there is the problem indicated in paragraphs 12 and 14 of doucment C 85/2-Sup.l. Increasing the external debt creates unbearable problems for the debtor countries and has an effect which is cumulatively damaging both politically and economically. There are nations where an increased external debt means less food for the people, so as well as being recommended, action should be taken by this forum to alleviate this problem. Protectionism in world trade of agricultural products also limits the recovery possibilities of these countries.
Lessons should be learned from the recent drought - those three bad years - the effect of which is still not over. Lessons should be drawn in order to prepare for another bad cycle which may recur if the situation is not dealt with in due time. In the next few years we should be concentrating on the expansion of agricultural production and income.
Mr Chairman, you will remember in June 1984 at the Addis Ababa World Food Council, an opinion was expressed that developing countries should be assisted more to create and develop their own means of production. Various international bodies are making big efforts in this respect. We should make sure that more is done, because this may be the one solution, the one way of making sure that this damage shall not occur. I expect FAO and related bodies to allocate more funds for research and development in the various categories of agriculture which are so important for the benefit of countries in need.
I think there is something to be said contrary to the famous saying that something should be done about the weather. More funds should be directed from governments as well as international bodies for research into climate, and how it can be influenced or, rather, improved. We have gained experience in the area of the production of more rain from small clouds by special techniques. This shows that there is much to be done in these areas. Countries should be encouraged to set up national policies for agricultural production and prices, as indicated by the papers issued by the FAO Secretariat, to ensure that the efforts of the individual farmer should not be in vain, and to encourage him to produce more. A sound national agricultural policy enables everyone to know where they stand, and encourages them to produce what is best for them and for his country. There is the old saying that if there is no flour, there is no knowledge. Israel is ready to extend all assistance to FAO and the developing countries from her wide experience in achieving these goals of increased food production and liberation from hunger.
J. LADAN (Nigeria): Mr Chairman, although you asked us to be brief, all the same I shall congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Commission. I would also like to thank Member Nations for approving the nomination of my country as a Vice-Chairman.
Being given the opportunity to speak at this late hour leaves my delegation with little to say. The document presented by the Secretariat is very clear and to the point, and the interventions by other delegates have also highlighted what was said by the Secretariat in the document. However, we can all express what we have learned from the review about the food situation in the world.
On the one hand, food production globally in the past year or two has been very good, good in the sense that a growing number of developing countries are joining the developed countries in achieving food self-sufficiency. We have been given the example of two countries from the developing region with the largest populations - China and India - joining the ranks of countries that are self-sufficient in food. To us - the developing countries - this is an encouraging sign, that food production may be attained at the level necessary to sustain the population by adopting the right type of technology and policies.
However, from all the interventions we have heard, other concerns are expressed relative to the food issue, namely, that those countries in Africa which had the unfortunate situation of having drought over a long period of time cannot feed themselves. One could argue that even those who cannot feed themselves from food crops can produce other agricultural commodities. These agricultural commodities, however, often cannot be sold in the international market to earn enough foreign exchange to buy the food they need from outside. Hence they have to rely heavily on food aid. Not only those countries in Africa, but also others in the world, complain about the growing tendency of protectionism. We have the evil of protectionism about which everyone complains, even those countries who practice it because is is only of temporary advantage to them. In the long run it will prove to be more damaging than what they are hoping to achieve in the short term.
Then there is the question of the growing debt burden which many countries, particularly in the developing region, are trying to put forward to countries who are in a position to do something about it, but unfortunately up to now, there has been no solution to the problem. There are other undesirable effects resulting from this in that countries are not only succumbing to the burden of debt, but are in danger of social collapse. All this points to two things. The first is that there is a need for a new international economic order. Above all, we also want to have a new international political will. Without this new international political will, we will not be able to solve the problem before us. If we have a new international political will countries will be in a position to assist those who are most needy, and will be able to respond faster to emergencies stop. If there is a new political will, the question of protectionism can be resolved easily. If there is a new political will, the question of debt burden can be taken more seriously. What the developing countries are saying is that they do not have to take it into their own hands and say "Look, we cannot pay for our debt. Therefore, since we appeal to you either to reschedule this burden or to write it off, now we will tell you frankly we can not pay and let us wait and see." We do not have to allow these developing countries to make this decision immediately. With a new international political will the problem of debt burden can be addressed in a more balanced way, suitable both to the debtors and to the countries that are lenders as well. If there is anything we can contribute to promote future action in this regard by international communities which are represented in FAO, 158 countries representing all shades of political opinion, all shades of economic orders, we would be more than happy to do so.
I. MARINCEK (Switzerland): I should like to commend the Secretariat for the excellent document before us. We all know that the rules in agriculture are different from those in other sectors, and above all we know that food security is best served on the basis of local production.
A better distinction or disaggregation in the analysis between food and other agricultural commodities may give us a clearer picture in the rather complex field of the situation of the state of food and agriculture. We all know, for example, that an increase in food self-sufficiency will reflect itself in a relative decrease in food imports. Some figures, in fact, are not indicators of development alone, but also of structural change. To give another example, an increase in fertilizer imports can be an indicator of a development in agriculture. In the absence of production growth, however, it would only hide a structural change which would, in such a case, result in a decrease of the value added.
A.M. OSMAN (Sudan) (original language Arabic): I should like at the beginning to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Committee and I should like to approve and support everything included in document C 85/2, which has included a comprehensive analysis of the situation.
As you know, Mr Chairman, the Sudan is one of the countries which has been affected to a large extent by drought and desertification. From this forum we should like to extend our gratitude to the international community for the aid which was extended to the Sudan during. the drought period and particularly for the aid from FAO.
I should also like to mention here that the most important measures to be taken in the area of food security and the protection of the society from famine, should not only include the increase of agricultural inputs, but also consumption and the use of land at the country, the continent and the world levels.
Finally, Mr Chairman, I should like to reiterate the gratitude of the Sudan - and say that we have in the Sudan large areas of land which wait to be exploited and which need the capital or investment from the region or from the Arab world or from the world at large. If we exploit and cultivate the land in this fertile country, it will become the breadbasket that will contribute to ensure food security in the world.
P.N. BAIGENT (New Zealand): I shall be brief because New Zealand concurs very much with what many of the earlier delegations have said on this agenda item. However, we particularly want to associate ourselves with the concern for Africa. Clearly we must continue our efforts to meet short-term food shortages, but perhaps more importantly we must find permanent solutions through assistance to improve agricultural production in Africa. No doubt we shall dwell at length on this under the next agenda item.
The effects of the international recession on demands for agricultural products and rapidly growing surpluses are having a disastrous impact on the ability of developing countries to develop their own agriculture. This paper clearly spells out that problem. Our Minister of Agriculture highlighted these problems in some detail yesterday when he addressed the Plenary Session. He warned about the impending disaster if effective action is not taken to liberalize international trade. Thus, we really must take this opportunity to join with the large number of delegations that have expressed their deep concern about this trade protection problem.
A. RODRIGUES PIRES (Cap-Vert): Je serai très bref, d'autant plus que le document qui est présenté à notre appréciation trouve l'accord de notre délégation. Toutefois, nous voulons souligner certains paragraphes qui nous paraissent importants en ce qui concerne l'Afrique.
Nous voulons d'emblée dire qu'au paragraphe 124 la question des réserves agronomiques est fonda‐mentale. Nous sommes très heureux de lire attentivement le contenu de ce paragraphe mais nous demandons à la FAO d'oeuvrer dans ce sens, car la formation des cadres en Afrique et la recherche agronomique constituent des bases fondamentales au développement harmonieux du potentiel agricole africain. Je suis d'accord pour dire que,de façon générale,l’Afrique a été négligée. Il faut souvent recourir au petit périmètre. Il faut des moyens, des intrants pour pouvoir mettre en valeur ces moyens. Voilà pour le moment ce que le Cap-Vert tient à souligner. Ma délégation tient à vous féliciter de votre présidence.
P. GUERIN (OCDE): Au paragraphe 69 du document C 85/2 - Sup.1.il est fait mention de certains destravaux entrepris actuellement au sein de l'OCDE. Je remercie le Secrétariat d'avoir ainsi souligné l'importance que pourrait avoir,dans le domaine des échanges agricoles,l’étude que nous menons sur les modalités et les essais d'une réduction éventuelle progressive et équilibrée du soutien apporté par les pays de l'OCDE à leur agriculture. Il s'agit d'une étude particulièrement difficile et délicate. Tous les délégués ici présents qui connaissent la complexité du problème le comprendront aisément.
Notre objectif qui nous a été fixé par'les Gouvernements des pays membres de l'OCDE est de parvenir à une réelle transparence quant aux conséquences qu'auraient des ajustements coordonnés des aspects de leur politique affectant directement ou indirectement l'agriculture. J'insiste sur les deux mots "ajustements" et "coordonnés" car c'est la seule voie possible (tous les pays de l'OCDE en sont conscients) pour éviter que les conséquences de tels ajustements soient trop lourdes pour l'un ou l'autre des pays pris individuellement. Ces ajustements sont inévitables car la situation excédentaire des principales productions agricoles des pays de l'OCDE a non seulement persisté mais s'est aggravée pour certaines d'entre elles. Les facteurs politiques et technologiques qui conduisent à l'accroissement continu de la production persistent dans la plupart des pays de l'OCDE, d'autant plus que le souci de protéger les revenus des producteurs agricoles, et le niveau élevé du chômage qui freine l'introduction de politiques orientées davantage par les perspectives réelles des marchés du côté de la demande, les perspectives de son développement à moyen terme sont telles dans la zone OCDE,comme en dehors de la zone de l'OCDE, qu'on ne peut raisonnablement attendre une contribution significative au rétablissement de l'équilibre des marchés. Devant le redressement
des débouchés extérieurs, lié en grande partie à la situation économique générale qui affecte plus particulièrement les pays en développement, notamment les pays les plus endettés, et dû également au caractère erratique et déclinant de la demande des pays en économie planifiée, les conditions de la concurrence entre les principaux pays exportateurs ne cessent de se dégrader. Une solution durable à cet ensemble de problèmes ne peut provenir donc que de l'ajustement des politiques nationales qui soutiennent la production et les exportations dans le cadre d'une approche concertée au plan international pour en partager équitablement les conséquences. Notre étude permettra, nous l'espérons, de progresser dans une telle voie. Nous en soumettrons les conclusions préliminaires à la prochaine réunion de niveau ministériel du Conseil de l'OCDE, c'est-à-dire en avril 1986. 11 appartiendra alors aux gouvernements concernés de juger des suites à donner à nos travaux et de l'usage éventuel qu'ils pourraient en faire dans d'autres enceintes.
Un dernier mot qui me permet de profiter de l'occasion qui m'est donnée de nous féliciter, devant .l'ensemble des délégués, des bons rapports de travail qui existent entre les deux secrétariats: celui de la FAO et celui de l'OCDE et de la complémentarité de nos travaux,même si les contraintes que nous connaissons tous les deux ne nous permettent pas de nous rencontrer aussi souvent que nous le voudrions.
H. LAUBE (Austria) (Original language German): First of all I would like to thank Professor Islam for his clear introduction. The problems of food have been a concern to the FAO since its creation on 16th October 1945 and have constantly been on our agenda. In 1974, eleven years ago, the World Food Conference of the United Nations identified the target of eliminating hunger from the world within the decade. At the beginning of 1985 we had to note that that very ambitious target, in fact, could not be achieved. But indeed, the figure of the starving and the undernourished has not gone up since 1974. This is on the basis of FAO figures. Now this remains between 435 million and 450 million people. Farmers and peasants around the world are today, compared to 1974,producing food for nearly 900 million more people. The huge effort that is concealed by these figures will only properly be appreciated if we look at world population figures. Today, the period within which the world population doubles is 41 years, and it would appear on the basis of the most recent information that the number of the starving will increase in absolute terms, but in percentage terms, it will decrease in relation to the increase in total world population.
In the past eleven years we have not managed to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Despite this, the number of starving people has not gone up substantially during this decade. As I said before, there are now some 900 million more people inhabiting our planet. I think this clearly shows that the world community has really taken up the challenge of the past ten years and has partially achieved its objective. The worldwide trend of increasing famine in the developing countries has been broken. However, it is going to be necessary for all States to continue to make considerable efforts to maintain the status quo and to build upon the successes of the last ten years in eradicating hunger and malnutrition by the turn of the century.
The problem of hunger in the Third World countries has multiple causes -regional causes, sometimes domestic causes, causes which may be directly related to agriculture, or may be outside agriculture. Problems of economic growth, of high defense expenditures, of insufficient training and education programmes, of job shortages, of inadequate infrastructures, of major harvest losses, of diminishing purchasing power and decreasing returns on foodstuffs production are just some of the ills affecting these nations.
In Africa, south of the Sahara, it is not possible to explain food shortages solely in terms of the drought of the past three years, which certainly is relevant to the shortages. It appears urgent to include, or pay great attention to, national agricultural policies so that more incentives are provided to farmers to produce more. In order to do this infrastructure must be improved, returns must be improved and also, I think it is useful to mention, that employment problems represent a significant factor in this situation. In the short term it is a matter of taking all measures necessary for the rehabilitation of agriculture, particularly in African countries. These include, of course, first and foremost providing the African farmer with sufficient incentives to produce more food to motivate the farmer to produce more food, and indeed, in Africa there are examples that show that this is a successful strategy. A farmer will only be so motivated if agricultural and food policies are not adopted in a vacuum, but if they are embedded in as overall development context and policy.
In tackling these very different problems the FAO has a very important and special role to play. In this connection the technical assistance that can be afforded in practical terms to farmers and to agriculture make a very considerable contribution. More than 3 000 projects were implemented in 1985. These served to strengthen research and development, and to demonstrate new techniques and new technology.
LE PRESIDENT: Nous pouvons demander à M. Islam s'il veut bien faire quelques commentaires.
N. ISLAM (Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Policy Department): We in the Secretariat are very grateful to the distinguished delegates for the various comments and suggestions which I am sure will go a long way in our efforts tò improve the quality and coverage of the final version of the State of Food and Agriculture.
As distinguished delegates have noted, the overall view of the different regions as given in the document is rather brief and in very summary form, and we have not expanded and gone into details of countries performances. We are very grateful, indeed, for the additional information supplied by various delegates regarding their own country's situation. In this context I thank the distinguished delegate from Egypt for providing in writing additional information on Egypt's agricultural performance.
In the same spirit, we appreciate the suggestion made by the distinguished delegate from Poland, that we should expand the section on Eastern European countries giving more country details. We will endeavour to do so in the final version of the document, the State of Food and Agriculture 1985.
One delegate mentioned that the document has not dealt adequately with trade policy issues including such subjects as export subsidies. I would like to remind the distinguished delegate that these issues are indeed dealt with in greater detail in the documents and the various agenda items which will be discussed by this Commission later on in the week.
Also, it was mentioned that agriculture had been dealth with in a way in the earlier part of the document, that made it appear as though it was an adjunct to the whole economy. Indeed, the reverse was our intention, that is, to demonstrate the inter-linkages between the non-agricultural sector of the world economy and the agricultural sector by analyzing the impact of developments in the non-agricultural sector on the agricultural sector. We have taken careful note of the comments of the EEC on the supplementary document to the main document. We noted that the Commission has not yet submitted formal and official proposals for reforms or changes in the common agricultural policy, and that reference in the document really should be made to the analysis of the various options rather than to formal proposals.
As for the impact of the weakening of the US dollar on the future amounts of burden of export institutions, as far as this is concerned, we do not intend to make any forecasts. Maybe the French version of the document was not clear enough. We are making a statement on situation at the present time, not a projection for the future.
A number of suggestions have been made for inclusion in future analytical work in connection with the State of Food and Agriculture. One was the need for study of women in development. I would like to point out to the distinguished delegates that this was indeed a subject covered in the 1983 State of Food and Agriculture.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much indeed, Professor Islam, for these elements you have been exposing to us.
(Continued in French). Encore une fois chers collègues je voudrais vous remercier de m'avoir choisi pour Président mais également, et comme je l'avais suggéré, d'avoir fait votre possible pour que vos interventions soient brèves. J'espère bien que ce sera de bon augure pour le reste de nos travaux. (Suite en anglais).
The Secretary tells me that the Drafting Committee members are nearly all known, but the procedure is not completely finished, but on Friday you will hear all the names. So with that announcement, I would like to close this session and thank you very much indeed.
The meeting rose at 17.15 hours
La séance est levée à 17 h 15
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.15 horas
