Animal production and health

73. The Committee considered in detail and endorsed the proposed program of work for 1962-63, in conjunction with the activities of the Organization in the fields of animal production and health during the past biennium. It expressed satisfaction with the practical approach to all the many problems in these fields. It was recognized by the delegations, however, that the new budget would not be adequate for all the advances which the Animal Production and Health Division should now be making.

74. Throughout the discussions, the Committee laid emphasis on the vital importance of active co-operation within the Organization by this Division with other Divisions in areas of common interest. Such co-operation could be particularly valuable in the case of Plant Production and Protection Division, Nutrition Division, Rural Institutions and Services Division and Fisheries Division where common programs in appropriate fields were being actively developed.

75. Similarly, the Committee noted with approval the close collaboration which existed with other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the International Office of Epizootics, the European Association for Animal Production, the International Dairy Federation and many others and urged, in the interests both of economy and expedition, that such collaboration should be continued and strengthened, and that FAO should increasingly perform the functions of co-ordinator, ensuring that duplication of effort was avoided in such matters as the convening of committees and the dissemination of information.

76. A keynote of the discussions was the importance which the delegations attached to the formation and operation of Expert Panels. These groups were considered to achieve excellent results at minimal costs and, in some cases to obviate or reduce the necessity for increasing the Headquarters staff, while attaining the desired results in disseminating information, indicating required lines of research, and providing assistance and guidance to the countries in highly technical fields. The growing difficulties of staff recruitment were fully appreciated, and it was considered that the establishment of such Panels could do much to relieve this situation. The Committee took particular note of the establishment of Expert Panels in Livestock Nutrition and Feeding and in Veterinary Education, and gave its full support for the programs of work of these bodies.

77. The Committee, while expressing its approval both of past achievements and proposals for the future, voiced its concern at the increasing workload, and the pressures which were being exerted on the staff in ensuring that the Regular Program was not adversely affected by the steadily mounting volume of field operational activities. It was considered to be a matter of the greatest importance that a satisfactory balance should continue to be maintained between these two broad aspects of the over-as program. The need was also stressed, in this connection, for thorough follow-up action by FAO on the recommendations of technical meetings.

78. The vital importance both of advanced education, and of training at all levels in all fields relating to animal production and health matters, was strongly emphasized by the Committee which expressed the wish that high priority should be given to animal husbandry and dairy industry, in view of the serious lack of specialists in these fields, especially in the developing countries. The Committee approved the operations of the FAO/WHO Expert Panel on Veterinary Education. It was stated that equal urgency should be attached by governments to assured and satisfactory employment for graduates and personnel who had received specialized training in the fields of animal health, genetics, nutrition and management. The needs for education were closely related to those of systematic research in veterinary science and animal husbandry, and it was considered that education and research should receive increasing emphasis as associated factors in development. In this connection the Committee endorsed the activities and plans of the Division for the establishment of regional institutes which, while effecting economies in skilled manpower, would provide both research and training facilities as well as stimulate increased productivity in the areas which they served. The Committee urged that these plans should be activated as rapidly as possible in order to meet the great and growing needs in the regions for training and research in their specific problems.

79. The Committee drew attention to the present worldwide shortage of veterinarians as well as of dairy and husbandry specialists, and considered that an alleviation of this problem, through the measures proposed in the educational field, could do much to relieve the difficulties of manpower shortage, assisting in the general field of livestock husbandry as well as ensuring that the urgent needs for disease control were met. It indicated that full health and full production were integrated, and were essential factors in satisfactory advances in the livestock industry.

Animal production

80. The Committee considering the importance of improving the natural grasslands of the world, approved the basic concept of grass in the production of meat, milk and wool. It concurred in proposed interdivisional co-operation, including participation in the regional Working Parties on Pasture and Fodder Development, and the establishment of an Expert Panel on Livestock and Range Management.

81. The Committee noted with satisfaction that special emphasis was being placed on investigations dealing with mineral deficiencies and imbalances, since the losses resulting although often not fully appreciated, were certainly large. The activities in promoting improved analytical procedures for trace mineral investigation were approved, as was the intention to produce two publications on aspects of mineral nutrition. It was hoped that this information would be widely disseminated.

82. The proposals to extend activities in the field of poultry production, including the establishment of a new Headquarters post in this field, were strongly supported. Several delegations drew attention to the fact that increased poultry production was frequently hampered by the expense of importing feeding stuffs often needed for a balanced ration, and suggested that this be examined closely. Better organization of the feed industry, control of disease and the importation of small amounts of necessary rations with better compounding of rations could lead to improvement. Poultry and rabbit rearing were indicated as productive activities in the tsetse areas of Africa, where trypanosomiasis effectively prevented large animal husbandry, and the prospects for raising improved breeds of sheep and goats should be examined in these areas.

83. The Committee noted that many programs for the improvement of breeding were in hand, particularly in tropical areas, and approved the proposal that an expert group, which would consult specialists from the countries concerned, should be formed to advise on such questions. It was appreciated that, especially in reference to the tropical countries, the group-country approach could help in establishing consistent programs of adequately based and systematically conducted research. In this connection it was noted that FAO was an appropriate organization to co-ordinate studies and disseminate information on the influence of climate, many delegation drawing attention to the need for projects on the suitability of breeds and species (including poultry) for specific climates, and environmental and other conditions. This problem was closely related to plans for future activities in improved animal nutrition in tropical and subtropical developing countries. Proposals were also approved to extend, through the work of an Expert Panel and other means, work in the subject of blood-grouping. The publications planned were approved as providing potentially valuable background material for all such studies.

84. The pending appointment of a Dairy Cattle Husbandry Specialist to the Headquarters staff was noted, and the Committee agreed that in many areas the dairy industry was at least of equal importance to the production of beef. Several delegations stressed the importance of sheep and goats as producers of milk, and urged that further work should be undertaken. In this connection the Committee noted the joint work of the Animal Production and Dairy Branches in this field. The Committee referred to the controversy which existed in many areas in regard to goat husbandry as a possible deterrent to good agricultural and forestry practices and felt that improved management rather than total suppression was the key to the solution.

Dairy industry

85. The Committee expressed its appreciation of the work in this field and of the considerable progress made during the past biennium. It reiterated previously expressed views that increased milk production was highly desirable in all the developing countries and that the availability of cheap and wholesome milk for children was a social necessity. In reviewing achievements and plans delegations expressed understanding of the many problems and difficulties attendant in tropical and subtropical areas not only on the production of milk but also in its handling, processing and distribution. They directed attention to the economic importance of the production of cheese from sheep and goat milk as a practical agricultural activity in many parts of the world, where conditions for large animal husbandry are difficult.

86. The Committee also gave attention to current practices in the use of reconstituted, recombined and toned milk, and agreed that while such products could be of great value in developing areas they must not be regarded as a final solution it was of the opinion that local production of milk should be fostered during the period of the use of reconstituted recombined milk as a means of meeting immediate needs.

87. The Committee noted with satisfaction the increasing momentum of training programs in the field of dairying, including the specific assistance which was forthcoming from certain countries. Several delegates expressed the view that, without such education it would be impossible to achieve the advances in quantity and quality production which were the objectives. A proposal was made that a Dairy Education Meeting for senior technicians in this field should be held at an early date. Particular stress was laid on hygiene at all stages of production and processing, and there was close co-operation between the Dairy Branch and the Animal Health Branch in matters relating to mastitis and other conditions adversely affecting the production of wholesome milk.

88. The continuing and constructive co-operation between FAO and UNICEF was the subject of much favorable comment. The Committee, however, took a grave view of the present position, in which FAO found itself unable fully to meet the technical assistance requirements for the joint FAO/ UNICEF projects. This problem was related directly to the shortage of funds required to recruit the experts needed to provide specialized guidance as projects developed. The Committee strongly favored an expansion of activities in this field to meet both the country needs and the requirements for full co-operation with UNICEF. Delegations drew attention to disparity between UNICEF support and FAO co-operation, stressed the great amount of additional work which had been shouldered in this field by the secretariat in connection with UNICEF and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, and forecast a further expansion of work and responsibilities. As none of this workload was of a temporary nature, the Committee considered that a strengthening of the Headquarters staff and an increase of funds was vitally necessary to meet existing commitments, and essential expansion.

89. Consideration was given by the Committee to matters relating to the Code of principles concerning milk and milk products. It appreciated that the Code had already been adopted by a large number of countries and that its effects were far-reaching. Delegations were informed that meetings would be held in 1962 and 1963, and that the work in this field was based on close liaison with the national and international bodies concerned. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the costs to FAO were relatively low. Delegations were agreed that this was the type of work which could only be done by an international organization like FAO and that the full establishment of such a Code of principles was highly advisable.

90. Arising from the general discussion on the production of clean wholesome milk of high quality, several delegations raised the question of payment for milk on a quality basis. A number of them outlined the systems adopted in their own countries and the Committee recognized that the principle of utilizing butterfat content as the sole criterion of compositional quality was being replaced in many quarters by an assessment of protein content as well as fat content, and hygienic standard. The Committee noted with general approval that an Expert Panel would be convened on this important subject in 1962, and that reports would be requested from governments and from all bodies concerned, in order that the Panel may review thoroughly the existing practices before going on to formulate recommendations and to produce a publication in 1963.

Animal health

91. The Committee examined in detail the assistance which had been provided on an emergency basis, with particular reference to African horsesickness, African swine fever, rinder-pest and foot-and-mouth disease, and commended the steps which had been taken to assist affected countries. In the case of African horsesickness in particular many delegations drew attention to the spectacular successes which had been achieved through the measures implemented by FAO, and to the support which had been forthcoming from the Technical Assistance Board (TAB) and such countries as Switzerland. U.S. and U.K. The Committee considered that the ability of FAO to respond promptly and efficiently to such matters of urgency in disease control should be further strengthened and emphasized the important part which FAO must play in controlling the emerging diseases. Delegations were unanimous in their desire to see research strengthened in the field of animal disease, especially through the medium of such projects as the Near East Animal Health institute which, it was urged, should be repeated in other regions. They placed considerable emphasis upon the control of foot-and-mouth disease as one of the most important causes of economic loss, and the present activities of FAO in this field were noted and fully approved. Delegates considered that increasing attention must be given to the control of enzootic diseases, since these were of notable economic importance, and also to the control of such vectors as the tsetse fly, in which field there was an urgent need to strengthen research. The Committee expresses a wish that the co-operation between FAO and the International Office of Epizootics should be continued.

92. The Committee expressed appreciation for the value of technical publications in this field produced by FAO, and especially for the Animal health yearbook, but the Committee considered that not enough was being done to fill the gap in animal health literature. The preparation and dissemination of authoritative publications dealing with many aspects of disease should be emphasized in future programs. Many delegations stressed the economic and public health importance of parasitism in this connection, including the urgent need for control measures directed against the warble fly, and the tsetse fly and other disease vectors. The need for publications on and specific action against the specific diseases affecting pigs, poultry, buffaloes and young animals was strongly affirmed, and several delegations drew attention to the need for publications on infertility in livestock. It was felt also that consideration should be given, possibly through the medium of the Animal health yearbook to the publication of basic requirements for the importation and exportation of livestock livestock products and semen. The question of the international trade in semen, in particular, required attention in view of its potential dangers. While the Committee appreciated the budgetary difficulties attendant upon the production of more technical publications it was, nevertheless, strongly of the opinion that the secretariat should receive the necessary support to enable it to undertake this work. In relation to the provision of knowledge by such means, the Committee gave its support to the fellowship and training center program in this field, and hoped that this could be extended.

93. The close association of FAO with in the field of the zoonoses was noted by the Committee with approval and it was indicated by delegations that the elimination of such diseases as brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, leptospirosis and certain parasitic infestations in the animal reservoirs was a necessary first step to their control in the human subject. The activities in the general field of veterinary preventive medicine were approved and it was suggested that work in the field of meat production and hygiene should be extended.

94. Disease control as a regional responsibility was again affirmed by the Committee, with emphasis on prophylaxis, and it strongly considered that the regional veterinary services of FAO should be strengthened accordingly; particular mention was made of the urgent need for regional officers in the Near and Far East. It was appreciated that, in this as in other proposals for expansion of the work in animal health, the limiting factor was funds, and that countries desiring assistance must make the necessary provisions in their requests to TAB. Delegations were emphatic in urging that the control of disease in livestock was a matter which should receive urgent attention by the Organization as being one of the basic requirements for the many advances planned in the general field of livestock production. The case of the poultry industry was cited by several delegations, since its establishment and maintenance had been shown to be closely related to the adequate control of such conditions as Newcastle Disease. The needs of countries which were importing exotic breeds of cattle in an attempt to increase productivity were particularly mentioned by a number of delegations, since means must be found of increasing their resistance to tropical and subtropical infections and infestations if such attempts were to prove successful.

Plant production and protection

95. The Committee examined the work of the Plant Production and Protection Division performed during 1960-61 and its proposed program of work for the following biennium. It expressed satisfaction with the Division's achievements and agreement with the proposed program for 1962-63. The secretariat anticipated that the number of field posts during the following biennium would exceed 200, being more than double that of 1960-61. In view of the world-wide need for an urgent increase of crop production, the Committee considered the proposed strengthening of staff as fully justified. In the light of the general budget of the Organization, that of the Division appears to be relatively low for the work assigned to it. The Committee suggested that this matter be considered in the formulation of. the 1964 65 budget.

96. The Committee gave attention to the proposed reorganization of the Crop Production and Improvement Branch. It generally recognized the need for a new structure to permit a more balanced development of activities concerning various crop groups, but some delegates expressed the opinion that other possibilities for regrouping the units and dividing their responsibilities might be considered. The Committee agreed with the proposal to establish three branches, namely Food and Horticultural Crops Branch, Industrial Crops Branch and Pasture and Fodder Crops Branch.

97. The Committee acknowledged the advantage of dividing the Food and Horticultural Crops Branch into two sections, one for field food crops and the other for fruit and vegetable crops. Some delegates stressed the desirability of forming a separate branch for horticultural crops and proposed that this matter be considered by Commission II.

The Committee having noted the importance of fruit and vegetable production in the economy of many member countries, as well as their nutritional value to improve the unbalanced diet of many people of the world and having realized the increasing responsibilities of the Plant Production and Protection Division of FAO in this field, recommended that the Director-General make adequate provision in the program of the 1964-65 biennium to permit expansion of activities in horticultural crops improvement, and to create a Fruit and Vegetable Crops Branch.

98. The Committee took note that adequate provision would be made to ensure that matters of interest to the Division as a whole, such as seed activities, plant introduction and ecology would be dealt with through co-operation among the branches.

99. Several delegates approving the assistance given in the field of seed production, control and distribution, suggested the expansion of the program of seed exchange. They commented on technical aspects of the World Seed Campaign and referred to the beneficial impact it already has had on the improvement of agricultural production in their respective countries.

100. The Committee discussed document C 61/AG/2 concerning the maintenance of an international register for agricultural " cultivars " (varieties), and agreed that it would be difficult for FAO to act at the present time as an international registration authority for agricultural varieties. Some delegates expressed the view that FAO should assist ID the co-ordination of efforts toward protection of plant breeders' rights.

101. The need for providing a regional officer to serve as secretary to the Pan American Seed Seminars was stressed by one of the delegates.

102. The Committee agreed that problems of general agronomy would be dealt with by the co-ordination of activities both within and among Divisions.

Food and horticultural crops

103. As regards food crops in general, several delegations pointed out the need for the expansion of the work on some staple foods for the humid tropics, such as sweet potato, yam, cassava, taro and plantain.

104. Many delegations expressed satisfaction with the valuable efforts which had been made in research on technical problems of rice, particularly through the International Rice Commission's Working Party on Rice Production and Protection, and suggested that new countries interested in rice production should join this FAO Commission.

105. The Committee noted with particular satisfaction the proposed expansion of the wheat and barley improvement project in the Near East by means of contributions received through the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, with a program designed for a five-year period including training facilities through fellowships and courses.

106. The Committee noted with approval the increasing attention to be paid to sorghum, millets and grain legumes. It suggested that research on these crops should be directed to obtaining better-adapted varieties and improving methods of cultivation. Several delegations from Africa and the Far East supported the promotion of research on the improvement of maize varieties for the tropics.

107. The Committee welcomed the emphasis given to problems of fruit and vegetable production. It stressed the need for more work on tropical horticulture and requested that more attention be paid to horticultural crops in semiarid and arid regions. In this respect the Committee noted with particular satisfaction that increasing attention would be given to the improvement of vegetable production in Africa and Latin America, as well as to vegetable seed production in the Near East. The Committee requested that the Division take adequate steps to continue the work being done on cereals other than rice and on other tropical food and horticultural crops in close liaison with national institutions dealing with such questions.

108. The Committee commended FAO for the work done on citrus, olive, date palm and banana in various countries stressed the importance of these crops, both for local markets and exports, and suggested that high priority should be given to improvement and research in these crops.

109. The Committee took note of the contribution made by this Division to school garden projects in co-operation with UNICEF, as a part of its program of Expanded Aid to Maternal and Child Welfare.

Industrial crops

110. The Committee noted with interest the work done on problems related to industrial crops and supported the proposed program of activities in this field. The Committee also noted that, in response to requests made by governments, much assistance had been given in the field of cotton production and felt that it would be desirable to extend this work also to other fiber crops such as jute, sisal, kenaf and Urena lubata.

111. The Committee acknowledged the work done toward the organization of an FAO Working Party on Cocoa Production and expressed the hope that it might give the needed guidance and assistance toward the implementation of the recommendations made by FAO's First Technical Meeting on Cocoa Production, held in Accra, Ghana in 1959. It expressed its interest in the proposed establishment of an international quarantine station to assist in the interchange of cocoa germ plasm.

112. The Committee welcomed the plans for the publication of the revised text of the World coffee survey in 1962. It also supported the suggestions for the establishment of a Technical Working Party on Coffee Production which would give guidance for the implementation of the recommendations of FAO's first Technical Meeting on Coffee Production and Protection, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1960.

113. The Committee noted with satisfaction the assistance given to coconut-producing countries in the Far East and South Pacific regions and expressed interest in the subjects to be discussed at the first Meeting of the FAO Working Party on Coconut Production, Protection and Processing to be held in Trivandrum, India, in November 1961.

114. In connection with rubber, some delegates expressed interest in the establishment of an international center for the study and testing of Hevea clones for resistance to the South American leaf blight disease caused by Dothidela ulei.

115. Some delegates observed that besides work on coconut and oil palm, attention should be given to other oil crops such as groundnut and castor bean. They also suggested that work on sugar producing crops should be included in the program of the Division.

116. Several delegates stressed the desirability of taking full advantage of the valuable experience accumulated by institutions devoted to the problems of the main industrial crops.

117. Some delegates suggested that new crops should be studied in order to diversify traditional agriculture and stimulate exports. The introduction and improvement of stimulant crops, such as tea, kola, medicinal plants and spices was proposed as a means of furthering these objectives.

Pasture and fodder crops

118. The Committee recognized the importance of the ecological studies carried out by the Branch for land-use planning, development programs and definition of natural regions in terms of significant crop production characteristics. It suggested that FAO take the lead for the development of a world program on agroclimatology in collaboration with other international or national organizations.

119. The Committee agreed on the continuing importance of plant exploration and introduction. It noted with satisfaction the efforts of Turkey to establish a Center for Plant Exploration and Introduction, and agreed that FAO should, within its means, help in the development of this project.

120. Several delegations expressed the view that more attention should be given to the study of natural grasslands because their production potential is at present not sufficiently realized. and because very substantial improvement could be made through relatively simple means. The Committee stressed the need for finding and applying methods to help secure a better balance between forage supply and animal needs in order to maintain or improve the grasslands. and to improve the efficiency of animal production on these lands.

121. In view of the importance of semiarid grassland areas as pointed out by several delegates, it was suggested that a publication be prepared on their management and improvement. The Committee agreed that emphasis should be placed on tropical grasslands because they are as yet insufficiently known for improvement.

122. The Committee recognized that in many areas it is important to introduce pasture and forage crops into rotation with cultivated crops in order to promote animal production, maintain soil fertility, increase crop yields and stabilize land use.

123. While reaffirming the usefulness of working parties, the Committee attached special importance to the implementation of their recommendations in order to maximize the benefits.

124. The Committee agreed that more emphasis should be given to training in different forms, including the use of fellowships, counterparts, training centers and in-service training. It suggested that more attention be given to the training of younger people in research and that an effort be made to associate these younger scientists with senior officers, preferably in their home countries. The role that United Nations Special Fund research projects and projects of other established institutions, could play to this end was pointed out by several delegates. The Committee felt the program should be strengthened in the Far East by a training center which might be held in the Philippines. The Committee also noted the offer by the Syrian delegation to make available the facilities of that country's Desert Research Centre for regional training purposes and took notice of the request for the assistance of FAO for further improvement of that Centre.

125. Unanimous support was given by the Committee to the close cooperation between the Pasture and Fodder Crops Branch and Animal Production Branch of Animal Production and Health Division. It stressed the need for maximum utilization of the specialists available and suggested that close liaison between FAO and national institutions working in this field would contribute to this end.

126. The Committee felt that in view of the importance and size of the program of the Branch, the number of staff members and the budget were rather low for achievement of its objectives.

Crop protection

127. The Committee noted with satisfaction the steps taken by the Director-General to expand activities in the field of crop protection in the 1962-63 biennium. The Committee felt, however, that in order to provide adequate assistance required by Member Governments, the staff of the Crop Protection Branch should be further strengthened during 1964-65 with the addition of a weed control specialist and a nematologist.

128. The Committee drew attention to the need for strengthening intergovernmental co-operation, especially in plant quarantine and in pest control. The Committee reaffirmed the value of the International Plant Protection Convention, regarded the recent meeting in the Near East as a useful step toward this direction and suggested that such actions should be extended to other areas where regional collaboration in plant protection was still inadequate. It recommended that the Director-General establish a Plant Protection Committee for the Near East to co-ordinate national efforts in this field, and that the first meeting of the Committee be convened in 1962. The Committee also recommended that three regional plant protection experts be appointed for the Near East, to be located in suitable places, as determined by the requirements of governments.

129. Having noted the progress in the promotion of investigations in sunn pest control, the Committee felt that in order to develop further this co-operative project, a body of broader scope should be formed to replace the Working Party established by the Ninth Session of the Conference in 1957. The Committee therefore recommended that the Director-General establish a Committee on the Control of the Sunn Pest of Cereals to replace the existing Working Party on this subject.

130. In view of the urgent need for promoting collaborative approach in problems relating to the use of pesticides on a worldwide scale especially problems concerning consumers' safety, insect resistance and regulatory aspects, the Committee urged FAO to provide leadership in achieving international understanding on the controversial aspects of these problems and in furnishing competent guidance to interested governments. The problems which needed immediate study included pesticide residues, hazards to farm workers, operators and factory workers, insect resistance to insecticides and marketing requirements (such as registration and labelling). In studying the first two problems, the collaboration of WHO and also ILO should be obtained.

The Committee recommended that the Director-General establish immediately a Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture to deal with technical and relevant problems in this field and four groups of experts under the Committee to examine the specific problems mentioned above. The Committee should consist of a small number of permanent members to maintain the continuity and temporary members chosen in accordance with their competence in the various specific problems. This Committee together with one or two groups of experts should meet annually. The Committee also recommended that the Director-General be requested to convene, if possible in 1962, a conference to formulate a plan for future action in this field. This conference should be attended by the permanent members of the proposed Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture, and representatives of interested governments and international agencies.

131. The Committee regarded the prompt exchange of accurate information on scientific advances and regulatory development in connection with pesticides as of basic importance to all interested countries and that the progress and international understanding on pesticide problems had been greatly handicapped by the lack of a central information clearing house. It felt that work in this connection should be assigned high priority in the program of work. The Committee recommended that the Director-General explore the possibility of establishing immediately a post to assume full-time responsibilities for the assembling and dissemination of information on pesticides.

132. In relation to expanding work of the Locust Control Office, the Committee expressed its satisfaction at the steps being taken by the Director-General to stimulate regional and international action for the control of the desert locust through the inter-regional project of the expanded Technical Assistance Programs and the United Nations Special Fund Desert Locust Project. It was noted that at the Third Session of the FAO Eastern African Desert Locust Control Subcommittee, the delegates had expressed unanimous desire to establish a regional antilocust service in Eastern Africa to supplement national efforts. Whereas it had been considered that this service should be established outside the framework of FAO, the Subcommittee had been of the view that very close links should be maintained between the envisaged service and FAO. The Committee also noted that the Director-General had been requested to assist the countries of the region by convening an early meeting of the countries concerned, aimed at concluding a regional convention and that the Eastern African countries had agreed that any expenditure incurred by FAO in this respect might be met from the Eastern African Desert Locust Trust Fund. In view of its urgency, the Committee recommended that the Director-General initiate such action as soon as possible. In connection with the Special Fund Desert Locust Project, the Committee stressed the importance of the Ecological Survey and recommended that its activities should be expanded by greater utilization of the services of specialists from the different countries. The Committee also recommended that FAO should strengthen the regional antilocust program in the Near East, possibly with assistance from the Special Fund, for the particular purpose of ensuring the exchange of technical information and the details of antilocust measures taken by the countries of the region.

133. In view of their widespread occurrence and destructiveness, the Committee suggested that in the activities of the Branch attention be given to plant-parasitic nematodes and termites.

134. The Committee reviewed the serious situation caused by noxious weeds, of which hyacinth is one of the most important. It suggested that the FAO Agricultural Study entitled Methods of weed control should be brought up-to-date and that effective steps be taken to promote international measures for the control of water hyacinth in collaboration with CCTA and other interested intergovernmental agencies.

135. The Committee drew attention again to the damage caused by grain-eating birds in tropical Africa and urged FAO to initiate as an early possibility a regional project for investigation and control of these pests under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance or other provisions, in liaison with other agencies interested.

136. In the review of the program in crop storage, the Committee expressed its continuing interest in the development of effective crop-storage systems and stressed the importance of the reduction of losses in stored crops in general, and particularly as a factor in the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. The Committee stressed the further need for training of technical personnel, and for the dissemination of information on effective methods for prevention of losses.

137. The Committee felt that research on biological control of insects and weeds should be encouraged on an international scale.

138. The Committee recognized that the future program in crop protection depended much upon the availability of personnel with adequate training. While FAO had provided a considerable number of fellowships in this field, local training would also be of greater practical value. It recommended that training centers on plant quarantine and pest control be organized for the Far East and the Near East during 1962-1963 under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance or other provisions.

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