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k) Agricultural and forestry interests

178. The Conference considered that just as coordination and co-operation must be strengthened between the Forestry and Forest Products Division and the Land and Water Development Division on matters connected with land use, watershed management, and rural housing, so collaboration between agriculturists and foresters at the national level must also be improved.

179. Several delegates drew attention to an apparent gap in the Organization's program on this matter of harmonizing the sometimes conflicting interests of agriculturists and foresters. For instance, some problems needing deeper study were soil conservation and restoration, crop production, and wood production in arid or semiarid areas; elsewhere, shifting cultivation and the systematic burning of forests by farmers. These problems had technical, institutional, and social features to which the Director-General should give more systematic attention.

l) Regional forestry commissions

180. The Conference commended the reports of sessions of the regional forestry commissions held in 1962-63 to the attention of Member Governments. It concurred in the decision of the Latin-American Forestry Commission to establish three subsidiary committees on the understanding that these bodies would meet concurrently with the Commission itself and involve no additional expenditure to the Organization. Delegates welcomed the Government of New Zealand's agreement to inviting representatives from interested countries outside the region to the 1964 session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission in that country. The Conference regretted that a session of the African Forestry Commission had not been held in 1962-63 and urged that means be found to convene a session in 1964-65.

m) Sixth world forestry congress

181. The Conference welcomed the Council's choice of Spain as the host country for the Sixth World Forestry Congress, and expressed great appreciation to the Spanish Government for assuming the heavy obligations entailed. Since forest policy was now approaching a turning point, it would be timely for the main theme of the Congress to be the role of forestry in the changing world economy. The Congress discussions should be confined to a limited number of subjects, one of which should be the human factor in forestry, especially the health and safety of forest workers.

n) Future programs and program trends

182. The Conference recommended that studies in the trends of forest products consumption, supply and trade should remain a continuing feature of the long-term program of the Forestry and Forest Products Division. The studies gave justification for and direction not only to the work of the Organization but also to the policies and plans of member countries. Other lines of activity to be given continued priority, all designed to promote the optimum contribution of forest resources to the over-all development and growth of national and regional economies, were forest management, development planning, expansion of forest industries, both large and small-scale, and man-made forests.

183. The importance Member Governments were attaching to the development of forestry and forest industries as an integral part of their general economic development, was evidenced by the growing number of field projects for which FAO was given responsibility in this field. Several subjects urgently needed greater attention by the Organization to support this responsibility. The Conference accordingly expressed to the Director-General its concern at the slow rate of expansion over recent budget periods of the Division's regular program functions, relative to the expansion in other sectors of the Organization. The Director-General was requested to take this into account when preparing his draft Program of Work and Budget for 1966-67.

Land and water development

184. The Conference reviewed and approved the work accomplished by the Land and Water Division in the current biennium. It recognized that the rapid expansion of the field program had, inevitably, had some adverse effect on the activities under the Regular Program. The two programs were, however, complementary in that the over-all objectives of the Organization were being furthered at a very rapid pace.

185. The Conference approved the program of work for 1964-65 and recognized the broad scope of the Division's activities. It therefore accepted the importance of an integrated approach in the program seen in the attempt to co-ordinate specialists' activities in a team approach in the regions. It called for stronger emphasis in the program on the appraisal of land and water resources and for increased attention to their study within a wider ecological context and in cooperation with other Divisions.

186. Activities relating to the World Soil Resources Office described in the program of work were accorded attention by the Conference. Support was given by some delegates to these activities, which would have both educational and practical value. Presentation of the World Soil Map drawn to the scale of 1:5,000,000 would be of limited value for detailed land-use planning, but presentation of the map now being proposed would represent the first phase of the work of arriving at agreement on soil classification. Comparative studies, the evolution of a common soil language, and the preparation of larger scale maps would follow in subsequent stages to provide information of basic value to member countries in evaluating their soil resources for agricultural development planning.

187. The Conference recognized the importance of focusing increased attention on soil and water management in the reclamation of saline and alkaline soils and the measures required to prevent their spread.

188. The Conference noted the valuable work accomplished and supported the emphasis. given by many delegates to the need for good watershed management and, in so doing, reiterated that an integrated approach to improved land use on a watershed basis was essential. Thus, in the case of soil and water conservation and the preservation of soil structure and organic matter, continuing stress must be given to the interdependence of good management of forest, grazing and arable The Conference therefore stressed the need to continue the close co-operation between different Divisions of the Organization so as to ensure that unnecessary overlapping of responsibility would be avoided, while making certain that the whole field of activity associated with improved land use was adequately covered. The complementary relationship of lowlands and uplands must also be fully realized, if both are to be properly exploited and the emergence of lowland "cases of development" associated with over-exploited uplands is to be avoided.

189. Where international river basins are involved, additional complications may arise. Under these circumstances impartial assessment of water resources in relation to their planning and use calls for a joint technical approach by the interested parties. The Conference therefore considered that the Organization should, with all means at its disposal, promote the integrated utilization of the drainage basins of international rivers and develop national water laws, in cooperation with the nations concerned, so as to encourage to their mutual benefit the rapid development and equitable management of water resources.

190. Much experience has been gained in many countries on watershed management and the Organization, in particular the Land and Water Development and Forestry and Forest Products Divisions, were encouraged to investigate to possibility of bringing together and evaluating the information and experience so gained and of publishing the results for the benefit of all.

191. With regard to ground-water and surface-water resources, it was considered that aid to member countries in their appraisal should be expanded as rapidly as possible. Such assistance could include the drawing up of systems for gathering hydrological data and the training of staff in the general field of hydrology.

192. The Conference supported the view that there was a need to promote the use of sewage water for irrigation and agreed that it was necessary, in co-operation with the World Health Organization, to take precautions to ensure that possible dangers to health are avoided.

193. While appreciating that a large measure of cooperation had been achieved between various international agencies, the Conference stressed that endeavors should continue to be made to ensure that the special nature of FAO's activities is understood by other international bodies. With clear differentiation of function, greater understanding and therefore closer cooperation are facilitated and concrete results become available to member countries through joint endeavor.

194. The Conference noted with satisfaction that increased attention would be paid to the improvement of implements and equipment of all types. While some delegates stressed the need to improve such materials for the small farm, others pointed out that the term "small" was subject to varying interpretation. Moreover, development should take into account the possibility of joint use of machinery and equipment as well as large-scale mechanization, because the type of machinery required must be related to the pattern of farm sizes, farm organization and land settlement.

195. The Conference stressed the need to promote agricultural industrialization through assistance to Member Governments in the storing, preservation, processing or partial processing of agricultural raw materials and by-products through rural and other industries.

196. It was noted that increased attention would be paid to the improvement of rural housing in relation to land and water development and settlement schemes according to modern standards of human needs and dignity. In so doing, the Conference stressed the need for co-operation in these activities between the Land and Water Development Division and the Forestry and Forest Products Division, since the latter was concerned particularly with the use of timber structures for these purposes.

197. The Conference heard a report on the recent informal meeting of fertilizer-exporting countries convened to discuss the expansion of the Fertilizer Program of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. This Program, currently financed by the world fertilizer industry, was being implemented by Land and Water Development Division in close co-operation with Economic Analysis and Statistics Divisions.

198. The Conference noted with approval the auspicious beginning to this Program and the request that the Director-General invite governments of fertilizer-exporting and other countries interested in providing aid to be represented at the meeting of the members of the FAO Fertilizer Industry Advisory Panel to be held in February 1964. The purpose of the meeting would be to evaluate the results obtained and consider the future activities proposed while reviewing plans for long-term financing. It was understood that representation at this meeting would not commit governments to a financial contribution to the Fertilizer Program.

Nutrition


a) Food consumption and planning
b) Applied nutrition
c) Food science and technology
d) Home economics


199. The Conference recognized that the activities of the Nutrition Division during 1962-63 had been carried out in accordance with previous Conference recommendations, and supported their continuation during 1964-65.

200. The Conference considered that the additional technical posts in the 1964-65 program of work and budget were necessary. It also recommended that in order to ensure the most effective use of this technical staff, the necessary additional administrative staff (both professional and clerical) should be provided by making any possible adjustments in 1964 and 1965 from Regular Program funds or other appropriate sources.

a) Food consumption and planning

201. The Conference noted with satisfaction that progress had been made in this basic field, and that work would continue in the two specific directions previously recommended: (a) the organization of food consumption studies in relation to nutritional needs, and (b) the orientation of policies and plans for agricultural development toward improved nutrition. The Conference endorsed the proposed work on tables on the composition of African foods, the need for which had been stressed by the ECA/FAO African Technical Meeting on Food Consumption Surveys held in June 1963; and the encouragement of further research on the protein values of foods, in cooperation with national and international agencies interested in these subjects.

202. Continued emphasis on the assessment of nutritional requirements in joint projects with the World Health Organization (WHO) was supported, since increased attention must be given in future studies to variations in requirements and intakes among different groups and individuals of the population. The Conference approved the suggestion that the proposed ad hoc group on vitamin A requirements, if suitably extended, should also consider a few other important vitamins, provided the allocated resources were sufficient.

203. The Conference urged the present efforts to include nutrition in national agricultural and economic development and planning be further intensified, and that the Organization's assistance to governments in the formulation of such national plans should stress the importance of nutritional factors and implications.

b) Applied nutrition

204. The Conference recognized that the continued rapid expansion and strengthening of the activities in applied nutrition called for an intensification of efforts to ensure adequate long-term planning.

205. The Conference welcomed the activities proposed and the close co-operation envisaged with industry and commerce in the promotion of protein-rich foods. Special efforts should be made to promote the transition from free distribution of such foods to viable systems of marketing them.

206. The efforts made to strengthen national nutrition services were noted with satisfaction. The Conference however, emphasized the importance of ensuring that such strengthening was progressively integrated with the broader aspects of national economic and social planning, and that these services should be fully adapted to local administrative patterns and based upon recognized local needs.

207. The increasing demand from Member Governments for assistance with school-feeding programs and other schemes for large-scale feeding, especially for workers, prompted the Conference to stress the importance of participation by the local community both in the planning and in the operation of such activities. The Conference felt that there was a special need to develop suitable training facilities for personnel to supervise and operate feeding establishments for workers.

208. The Conference reaffirmed that it was important to establish permanent training facilities at levels appropriate to the needs of developing countries, and that facilities such as those already established in the African and American regions should be further strengthened and extended to include other regions. Ad hoc training both for nutritionists and non-nutritionists should be continued, with special attention being given to field training, until these goals are reached.

209. The Conference reiterated the urgent need for enhancing the effectiveness of nutrition education, both in the schools and in the community generally. It welcomed the continued expansion of applied nutrition programs conducted jointly with other agencies and emphasized their practical educational value as field demonstrations and training areas. Stressing the growing importance of the mass communications media in the developing countries, the Conference approved a proposal that the effective use of such media as a part of the methods of nutrition education should be systematically examined in cooperation with Unesco.

210. The Conference approved the plans being made to assist in the international co-ordination of research into food habits and the socio-cultural and economic factors affecting nutritional status. It also expressed particular interest in the current Joint FAO/WHO Study on Evaluation Methods in Applied Nutrition Programs.

c) Food science and technology

211. The Conference noted that the improved utilization of foods through better processing, preservation, and storage is the main purpose of the work in this field, much of which is done in co-operation with other agencies, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It also noted that traditional methods of food preservation were being investigated with a view to their improvement for greater usefulness, in industry where possible, and with regard to cost and nutritive values.

212. The Conference unanimously supported the proposed extension of the work on protein-rich foods in 1964-65. The recent FAO/UNICEF meeting with food industries on this subject (Rome, October 1963) was one of several of the Organization's endeavors to induce concerted efforts for supplying cheap protein-rich foods to a large part of the world's population that does not receive adequate protein. The Conference requested that a survey of the results of the promotion of these foods be presented at its Thirteenth Session.

213. The Conference considered the work on the preservation of food by irradiation, conducted in collaboration with the Atomic Energy Branch, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other agencies, to be very important, because of its potentialities for use in all parts of the world.

214. Extension of the work on food additives to include substances unintentionally introduced into food, in response to a suggestion by the Second FAO/WHO Conference on Food Additives (rune 1963), was approved.

215. The Conference recognized the need for more training in food technology, and approved plans for seminars and training centers, especially in developing countries. It hoped that institutions similar to the training center to be set up in Mysore, India, would soon be established in other regions.

216. The Conference considered that FAO should take a greater interest in unconventional methods of food production and in assessing their economical and large-scale application.

d) Home economics

217. The Conference noted with approval the progress made in (a) the development and co-ordination of national home economics programs, (b) the establishment of home economics training facilities, and (c) the attention given to programs with social as well as home economics elements. It endorsed the contribution of home economics to education programs for the greater production and use of protein foods.

218. The Conference endorsed the development of a long-term home economics program in the European region through (a) a review of past and present activities; and (b) the convening of an ad hoc intergovernmental meeting in 1964 to plan the program. Such a program is of great importance not only for the European region but also for application throughout the world.

219. The increasing importance attached by Member Governments to programs for raising levels of family living was being reflected in the growing demands upon the Organization for assistance in this broad field. Programs designed with this objective are usually educational in that they train rural women in all matters concerning the family and family life.

220. The Conference supported the proposal to give increased attention to home economics work in the next two years, and recognized that in many instances it would be planned and undertaken in close consultation with UNICEF, and wherever appropriate with the United Nations Bureau of Social Affairs and Unesco.

General

221. The Conference approved the emphasis being placed on studies in developing countries of (a) protein production and use, (b) the improved utilization of food crops through the application of modern methods of food technology, (c) nutritional aspects of development planning, (d) human food consumption and requirements, and (e) the basis upon which nutrition training and education must be founded. The application of all these studies in field programs was favored.

222. The Conference approved of the beginning that had been made in the dissemination of information, including annotated lists of publications and reports, as recommended by its Eleventh Session, through the Nutrition Newsletter.

223. in accordance with the policy approved by the Conference in 1959 and 1961, the arrangements for joint expert committees with other United Nations agencies were approved: (a) the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition, (b) the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, and (c) the FAO/WHO/UNICEF Protein Advisory Group.

Plant production and protection


a) Introduction
b) Field food crops
c) Fruit and vegetable crops
d) Industrial crops
e) Pasture and fodder crops
f) Crop protection


a) Introduction

224. The Conference expressed appreciation of the work carried out in 1962-63 in the field of plant production and protection and endorsed the well-balanced program of work for 1964-65. It noted with approval the establishment of working teams to deal with problems common to all Branches. It also approved the selection of lines of work in accordance with priorities previously defined by the Council and the Conference.

225. The Conference commended the Division for its activities in agroecology, plant exploration and introduction, high-quality seed production, exchange of plant material, diseases and pest control, plant quarantine, and reduction of losses of crop products in storage, and recommended the intensification and expansion of such work. In stressing the importance of plant prospection, collection, and introduction in providing basic material for the improvement and diversification of crop production, the Conference pointed out the need to make all the necessary efforts to preserve as much as possible the component of the germ plasms which already exist with regard to many cultivated plants in different areas of the world which are considered as centers of diversification of such plants. The Conference suggested that a panel of experts should be established to advise the Organization on new lines of action in this field and also to assist in expanding the exchange of information and plant material between countries and scientific institutions.

226. The Conference fully supported the establishment of the Fruit and Vegetable Crops Branch, as recommended by its Eleventh Session and stressed the basic importance of fruits and vegetables for the improvement of the human diet, especially in many developing areas.

227. The Conference recognized the need for a rapid increase in crop production to meet the requirements of a growing world population and considered the proposed strengthening of the divisional staff to be justified. It also recognized that despite the organizational efforts made, the existing and proposed staff would still be insufficient to deal with the many vitally important problems of plant production and protection.

b) Field food crops

228. The Conference appreciated the work done on field crops which provide the staple foods for the world's population, and supported the proposed program of the Field Food Crops Branch. The delegates commended the regional approach to the problem of food crops' improvement; the Near East Wheat and Barley Project was cited as a good example. It was recommended that all member countries of Latin America interested in rice production take action to join the International Rice Commission.

229. The Conference unanimously stressed the importance of plant breeding, and the production, certification and distribution of high-quality seed. In this context, the need was accentuated not only for making full use of local plans materiel, but also for introducing varieties from abroad.

230. The Conference stressed the importance of expanding and strengthening activities in connection with plant exploration, collection and introduction, as well as the exchange of planting material and seeds. Many delegates expressed satisfaction with the Organization's seed exchange service and interest in its future expansion.

231. The Conference requested that more attention be given to improvement of the production of tuber and root crops as main sources of food for large areas of the world. In this connection several delegates emphasized the need to consider post-harvest and storage problems.

232. The Conference appreciated the efforts being made to expand and strengthen activities in connection with problems of crop diversification and rotation, mixed cropping, and catch cropping for fodder or green manure, which are all important in the over-all program for the improvement of agricultural production.

233. The Conference stressed the importance of expansion in grain legumes production as being the fastest and cheapest way of increasing both protein-rich food for human consumption and stock feed. The need for a grain legumes specialist on the Headquarters' staff was strongly supported by all delegates.

234. The Conference noted with satisfaction the publications program of the Branch which already included lists of genetic stocks, research workers, etc., and supported the continuation of this work. It also commended the efforts made in training technicians in different aspects of food crop production, and recommended that this be continued and, as far as possible, expanded.

c) Fruit and vegetable crops

235. The Conference unanimously approved the program of work of the new Fruit and Vegetable Crops Branch, and stressed the need for strengthening activities in vegetable breeding, fruit improvement and production of off-season vegetables, particularly in subtropical and tropical areas.

236. The Conference authorized the establishment of an FAO Technical Working Party on Horticultural Production in the Near East and North Africa and hoped one meeting could be held in 1964-65. Considering the urgent need for technically qualified personnel due to the rapid expansion of horticultural production in various regions, the Conference recommended that FAO give assistance in the establishment of permanent regional training and research centers on horticultural techniques. In this connection, the Conference welcomed the proposal made by the delegate from Turkey to establish such a center for the Mediterranean and Near East regions, with full use being made of the existing facilities in his country.

237. Considering the growing importance of vegetable production in the countries of the Near East and the need to improve yields and quality of vegetable crops for local consumption as well as for export and processing, the Conference recommended establishing a regional vegetable improvement and seed production project in the Near East, including standard comparative trials, and that this project be given the highest practicable priority within the regional ceiling by the allocation of funds under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance for regional experts, fellowships, equipment and supplies.

238. The Conference noted with satisfaction the progress made and the extension of the work on school and community garden projects, and reaffirmed its interest in these FAO/UNICEF joint activities as effective means of improving the diet of rural communities.

239. The Conference stressed the need for developing horticultural crops in Africa, and asked the Director-General to establish a regional horticulturist post in the 1964-65 Program of Work and Budget in order to stimulate local research and promote cooperation between national institutions and the Organization, and to make provision accordingly within the limits of the funds available. It also stressed the need for work in post-harvest physiology and preservation of fruit and vegetables. Several delegates emphasized the need to survey and collect local ecotypes of fruit and vegetables to serve as genetic material for breeding purposes.

240. The Conference expressed satisfaction with the 1964-65 publications program and recommended that consideration be given to the possibility of additional technical bulletins on off-season vegetable production and on soilless horticultural production.

d) Industrial crops

241. The Conference appreciated the work carried out on industrial crops in 1962-63 and supported the proposed program of work for 1964-65.

242. Recognizing the importance in many developing countries of such crops as cocoa, coffee, tea, rubber, cotton, oil palm and sugar cane as a source of cash for producers and of foreign currency through exports, the Conference recommended that in preparing future programs of work priority be given to strengthening the Industrial Crops Branch to enable it to deal efficiently with such an important and broad field of activities.

243. The Conference supported the revision of existing collections of cocoa, coffee and hevea species, types and cultivars, as well as the exploration of new germ plasm and its introduction into living collections of research institutions for breeding purposes.

244. The Conference expressed satisfaction at the forthcoming publication of the world cocoa survey and hoped that similar publications could be prepared on other crops such as rubber, coconut and coffee.

245. The Conference approved the assistance being given to member countries in their endeavors to concentrate industrial crops in more ecologically favorable areas, and in promoting crop diversification in marginal areas.

e) Pasture and fodder crops

246. The Conference noted with approval the activities of the Pasture and Fodder Crops Branch and its essential role in increasing animal production and in the general improvement of agriculture through integration of pasture and livestock with crop farming. In this connection, it stressed the importance of ecological studies for planning land use, and for orienting development programs within ecological regions. The Conference recommended that such studies be strengthened and extended to new regions, and that a methodology be developed for improving and standardizing ecological studies.

247. The Conference recommended that the work pasture and fodder crops improvement, range and pasture management, be strengthened in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America through the organization of technical meetings, training courses or seminars.

248. The need for intensifying activities in forage crops was stressed, with a view to the improvement of output from marginal farmlands, the stabilization of sources of feed and the regular feeding of animals throughout the year.

249. The Conference urged further strengthening of the activities in range management specially in semiarid zones. It commended the collaboration between the Branch and other parts of the Organization, especially such Divisions as Animal Production and Health, Land and Water Development, Forestry and Forest Products, and Economic Analysis.

f) Crop protection

250. The Conference noted with approval the program of work of the Crop Protection Branch and felt that further strengthening of its staff was necessary to provide effective assistance to governments. It authorized the establishment in 1964-65 of a pesticide information post, to furnish governments with information on the current progress in this rapidly growing and made provision accordingly, within the limits of the funds available. It also suggested that the Director-General give consideration in future programs to the appointment at Headquarters of a weed control specialist and of a plant protection specialist with experience in hematology, and in South America of a regional crop protection officer.

251. The Conference recognized the value of furthering international co-operation in plant protection and agreed to the need for strengthening regional plant protection organizations within the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention. In this connection, the Conference recommended that the Director-General take action to establish a Near East plant protection commission as authorized by the Eleventh Session of the Conference, in order to advise and maintain liaison between the governments concerned on matters related to plant protection research, quarantine and pest control. It also recommended that steps be taken toward the development of a regional plant protection agency for South Africa.

252. The Conference noted with satisfaction that, in keeping with the recommendation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference, the Director-General had established a Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture and three ad hoc working parties thereunder dealing with pesticide residues, pest resistance to pesticides and official control of pesticides. It stressed the importance of continuing this work in co-operation with the World Health Organization and other interested international agencies.

253. The Conference, recognizing the great losses of agricultural products sustained in transit and storage, strongly supported the expansion of work on the control of pests in stored products. It recommended that special attention be given to this problem, particularly in the humid tropics, and that more training courses and demonstration centers be organized.

254. The Conference recognized the need for international measures for the control of salvinia and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Africa and Asia and weaverbirds (Quelea-quelea) and other crop-eating birds in Africa. The Conference requested that the Director-General give high priority to these two problems and initiate regional programs to develop effective control measures during 1964-65. And it authorized him to make provision to this end within the limits of the funds available.

255. The Conference adopted the following resolution:

RESOLUTION No. 10/63

Control of salvinia and water hyacinth in Africa and Asia and crop-eating birds in Africa

THE CONFERENCE

Considering the serious danger which the infestation by salvinia and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) represents to the water resources in Africa and other regions, and

Realizing the importance of crop-eating birds, especially weaverbirds (Quelea-quelea), which cause serious damage to food crops in many countries of the African regions,

Noting with regret that a recommendation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference to take action against these two plagues could not be implemented owing to the lack of budgetary provision,

Recognizing the necessity for joint co-ordinated control measures by all the member countries concerned in the regions,

Recommends:

  • 1. that the Director-General take up with the governments of member countries concerned the matter of creating under the United Nations Special Fund a co-ordinated regional project for the control of water hyacinth and salvinia, and another for the control of crop-eating birds, particularly weaverbirds (Quelea-quelea); and

    2. that the Director-General within the limits of his available resources, give the countries concerned such assistance as may be necessary for the effective control off these two plagues, and that active steps be taken to co-ordinate control measures within he territories of those member courtliest

  • (Adopted 4/12/63)

    256. In pursuance of recent advances in plant protection sciences, the Conference felt that special attention should be given to an integrated approach for the control of plant pests by chemical, physical, biological and agronomic means. Work in this direction should be stressed in the ensuing biennium and in the long-term program of the Branch.

    257. The Conference noted with satisfaction that, as recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference, the control of sunn pest had been strengthened by the establishment of the FAO Committee on the Control of the Sunn Pest of Cereals.

    258. The Conference stressed the importance of an efficient disease reporting and forecasting service and suggested that FAO take the lead in an attempt to coordinate the efforts of existing national and international organizations dealing with this subject.

    259. The Conference pointed out that there was need for an emergency fund for the control of sudden outbreaks of plant diseases and pests of major importance and requested the Director-General to make proposals at its Thirteenth Session.

    260. The Conference commended the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and the United Nations Special Fund (UNSF) activities on the control of the desert locust and the expansion of concerted international action against this insect in many countries of Africa and Southwestern Asia.

    261. The Conference noted with satisfaction the entry into force in June 1963 of a Relationship Agreement between FAO and the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO for EA) as an interim measure to bring DLCO for EA into close association with FAO. The Conference fully supported a proposal for the establishment of a Regional Commission for Desert Locust Control in Asia. It urged FAO and the Member Governments concerned to take the necessary action to bring this Commission into being within the framework of FAO as soon as possible and to seek financial support for these activities under EPTA.

    262. Having noted the progress made by FAO in recent years in promoting international action against the desert locust, the Conference was pleased that this work would be fully integrated with activities of the Crop Protection Branch.

    B. Department of economic and social affairs


    General
    United nations conference on trade and development
    Director for special studies
    Commodities
    Economic analysis
    Rural institutions and services
    Statistics


    General

    263. The Conference approved the program of work for the various Divisions, Branches and Sections of the Department for the biennium 1964-65. Some delegations expressed the opinion that the proposed increases in certain areas would have to be limited.

    264. The Conference noted that new aspects of economic and social problems had appeared in the recent past and might appear again in the near future, and that the preoccupations of governments change accordingly. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs would have to continue to follow these developments closely, particularly in the light of the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. In this connection, some delegations expressed the opinion that the over-all structure of the Department should be reviewed in the course of the ensuing biennium.


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