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337. The Conference had before it four applications for membership in FAO. The first three had been received more than 30 days before the opening of the Session (as prescribed by Rule XIX). The fourth had reached the Director-General, after the expiration of the 30 day period.

338. The applications were received as follows:

339. The application of Laos could not be acted upon unless the Conference decided to suspend Rule XIX by application of Rule XXXIV, paragraph 1. This decision was carried by the required majority of two-thirds of the votes cast.

Elections

340. Article II, paragraph 2 of the Constitution provides that a two-thirds majority of the votes cast is necessary for admitting new Members, provided that a majority of the Members of the Organization are present. Rule XII, paragraph 7 prescribes a secret ballot on each applications.

341. The four nations were admitted to membership on 21 November 1951, the result of the ballots being as follows:

342. In a letter to the Director-General, dated It) October 1951, the Government of San Marino submitted an official request to be represented by a permanent observer at Conference sessions and other meetings of the Organization (See Appendix G).

343. The Conference noted that this application raised a problem of principle. While it is true that the Holy See had been granted the statue of permanent observer at the Fourth Session of the Conference, this action was taken because of the special circumstances characterizing the Holy See, and had no relation to the territorial extent of Vatican City over which it exercised its sovereignty, so that it could not be invoked as a precedent.

344. For the above reason, the suggestion was made by the General Committee that a final decision be deferred until the next regular session of the Conference. In the meantime, the Director-General could study the most appropriate methods by which countries such as San Marino could be associated With the activities of the Organization, and place his recommendations before the Council.

345. The Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 76
Request of San Marino Consultative Status

The Conference

Decides to defer until its Seventh Session consideration of the request of the Government of San Marino for permanent consultative status, and

Requests the Director-General to investigate the possibility of defining appropriate methods for associating countries such as San Marino with the activities of the Organization and to report through the Council to the Conference.

346. The Conference noted that the Republic of San Marino had been invited to be represented by an observer at the Sixth Session of the Conference and agreed that a similar invitation should be issued for its Seventh Session.

Election of Members of the Council

347. The following three groups of Council seats came up for election at the Sixth Session of the Conference:

348. The General Committee reported that the elections had to be carried out by secret ballot in conformity with Rule XII and suggested that the Conference bear in mind the following provisions of Rule XXIII:

"The Conference shall, at each session, fill all vacancies on the Council after considering any recommendations of the General Committee.

"In selecting Members of the Council. due consideration shall be given to the inclusion in its membership of a balanced geographical representation of nations interested in the production, distribution, and consumption of food and agricultural products.

"Member Nations shall be eligible for reelection.

"No Member Nation shall be eligible for election to the Council if it is in arrears in payments of its financial contribution to the Organization in an amount equal to or exceeding the contributions due from it for the two preceding financial years."

349. In order to ensure an equal opportunity to all delegations wishing to submit candidates for the various seats coming up for re-election, the General Committee requested that such nominations be submitted in writing, indicating the seat for which each nomination was presented. The nominations thus submitted were then reported to the Conference by the General Committee, with the recommendation that a secret ballot be taken for each seat until such time as one country had obtained a majority (i.e. more than one-half of the votes cast, Rule XII. paragraphs 1 and 9).

350. The elections took place at the Eighth and Ninth Plenary Meetings on 4 December, and the following Members were elected (the first and highest vote in each case indicating the nation elected)

351. GROUP A
(Term of office expiring at Seventh Session of the Conference in 1953)

352. GROUP B.
(Term of office expiring in 1954)

353. GROUP C
(Term of office beginning 1953, expiring 1955)

Tenure of Office of Council Members

354. The Conference had before it a proposal that Rule XXIII be amended so as to increase the tenure of office of Members of the Council from three to four years. The Conference noted that the decision to set a term of three years had been taken recently, by the Special Session of the Conference in 1950, after full consideration of the issue, and because it was believed that it would ensure more frequent rotation of Council Members. The Conference, therefore, concluded that no advantage could result from a reversal of that decision.

Council Membership

355. The Conference also had before it a suggestion that there should be an increase in the number of Members of the Council, which Article V of the Constitution fixes at 18

356. The Conference noted that this proposal would involve an amendment to the Constitution, which could not be adopted during the current session because of Rule XXII, paragraph 2, requiring 120 days notice. Nevertheless, there was general sympathy with the proposal which would give Member Countries a greater opportunity to participate in the Council's work and would thus maintain interest in the Organization during the periods between regular sessions of the Conference. Several delegates, however, pointed out that the question had been raised without prior notice and that they were without instructions from their governments as to the course they should follow. They held that increasing the size of the Council was a most important step on which the Conference could not decide, even provisionally, in the absence of such instructions.

357. It was also pointed out that even if it were decided in due course to increase the size of the Council a proportion of one-third of the membership of the Organization would mean a Council which would not necessarily be an exact multiple of three and that consequently many procedural difficulties would arise in determining the Members who should retire, and be replaced or re-elected annually. For this reason the proposal was made, and supported by several delegates, that if an increase in the size of the Council were ultimately decided by the Conference, the number might be the highest exact multiple of three within the limits of one third of the membership of the Organization. Under this proposal, with membership of the Organization now at 69, the size of the Council would be 21, and no further increase would occur until membership of the Organization reached 72, when the Council would be increased to 24 Members.

358. On the question as to whether a special session of the Conference should be convened in 1952 to discuss and, if approved, make the necessary changes in the Constitution, it was pointed out that the provision for the holding of a special session of the Conference was intended to meet unforeseen situations and should not lightly be invoked. The desirability of an increase in the size of the Council was not a matter that could not have been foreseen and the Members who proposed it could, without difficulty, have given the necessary notice under Rule XXII-2 before the present Conference, of a proposal to amend Article V of the Constitution. Although recognizing the natural anxiety of Member Countries to participate as fully as possible in Council activities, several Members considered that the subject was not of such urgency that it should be settled hastily. Nor should the question of the cost of a special session of the Conference be overlooked. The estimated cost of 2,000 to 3,000 dollars might appear small, but the budgetary position was strained and pre-estimates of costs were apt to be exceeded in the event. Moreover, apart from the cost to the Organization, account must be taken of the cost to Member Countries, particularly to those without diplomatic representatives in Rome.

359. For these reasons the Conference agreed:

360. It therefore adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 77
Number of Seats in the Council

The Conference

After giving full and careful consideration to the matter,

Believes that there may be e case for increasing the total number of Council Members; and accordingly

Instructs the Council to consider the subject further and to make appropriate recommendations to the next regular session of the Conference or to a special session of the Conference, if for other reasons one should be called before the next regular session is due to take place.

361. The Conference wished to express its deep appreciation for the inspiring leadership of the retiring Chairman of the Council, Lord Bruce of Melbourne, and adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 78
Retirement of Lord Bruce, Chairman of the Council

The Conference

Considering the retirement of Lord Bruce of Melbourne from the post of Chairman of the Council of FAO,

Considering the inestimable benefits FAO has derived from his long and distinguished career of public service in the national and in the international field,

Considering also his invaluable work and perseverance as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission of FAO, which inspired the creation the Council of FAO,

Considering further his constant regard for the true FAO spirit and his unfailing concern for the interests of the small as well as of the large countries that are Members of FAO,

Resolves to express to Lord Bruce of Melbourne its profound gratitude and deep appreciation for his untiring interest, inspiring leadership and understanding, and

To convey to Lord and Lady Bruce of Melbourne its best wishes for their future health and happiness in the many years ahead of them.

362. The Conference then reviewed the conditions and allowances pertaining to the office of the Chairman of the Council, and elected the new Chairman. It adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution No. 79
Allowances of Chairman of the Council

The Conference

Having received recommendations from the General Committee as laid down in Rule XXIV,

Decides that the conditions and allowances pertaining to the office of the Chairman of the Council will be:

Resolution No. 80
Appointment of Chairman of the Council

The Conference

After having proceeded, in accordance with the provision of Rule XII to a secret ballot, the result of which has been in favor of Mr. Josué de Castro,

Declares unanimously that Mr. Josué de Castro is appointed independent Chairman of the Council for a period of two years, until the conclusion of the Seventh Session of the Conference.

363. The Conference had before it a unanimous proposal of the Council that the appointment of the present Director-General, the Honorable Norris E. Dodd, be renewed for two years.

364. In conformity with Rule XII, paragraph 7 of the Rules of Procedure, the Conference took a secret vote and adopts d unanimously the following resolution:

Resolution No. 81
Appointment of Director-General

The Conference

Noting that the appointment of the Director-General is on the agenda of the present Session of the Conference, and that the Council, in conformity with the instructions received from the Special Session held in November 1950, has unanimously nominated the Honorable Norris E. Dodd to serve for a further period of two years,

Having been informed that the present Director-General is willing to continue in Office for another two years,

Decides to re-appoint the Honorable Norris E Dodd until the end of the next regular session of the Conference to be held in 1953,

Conveys to him its appreciation of the outstanding manner in which he has served the Organization, and

Resolves that the terms and conditions of his appointment shall remain the same.

365. At its Special Session held in Washington in November 1950, the Conference expressed the view that since the Constitution had been officially formulated in English only, consideration should be given to a constitutional amendment to make the texts of the Constitution in other official languages equally authentic.

366. Since the adoption of such an amendment would require approval by the Conference of the French and Spanish texts of the Constitution, the Director-General circulated to all Member Governments draft translations in these two languages (C 51/30 and C 51/31).

367. After detailed consideration of these texts, the Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 82
Authentic Texts of the Constitution The Conference

The Conference

Formally adopts as the authentic French and Spanish versions of the Constitution:

Resolves to insert the following additional article in the Constitution:

Article XXI. The English, French, and Spanish texts of this Constitution shall be equally authoritative.

Co-ordination of activities with the United Nations and the specialized agencies
Co-ordinating committee

Co-ordination of activities with the United Nations and the specialized agencies

368. The Conference had before it a report of the Thirteenth Session of the Council regarding the additions to the Rules of Procedure suggested by the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination in pursuance of the request of the Economic and Social Council.

369. The proposal for the insertion of the additional clauses arises out of the necessity of ensuring co-ordination amongst agencies with respect to their activities, since in the past some agencies have placed on their agenda matters of interest to other agencies, without prior consultation with the latter, with the result that there has been some duplication and overlapping of activities and that certain organizations were committed, at least morally, by action taken by other organizations.

370. After having examined the amendments proposed by the Council, the Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 83
Co-ordination of Activities with the United Nations and the Specialized Agencies

The Conference

Having considered the additions to the Rules of Procedure recommended by the Council in order to ensure co-ordination of the activities of FAO with those of the United Nations and other Specialized Agencies,

Resolves to amend as follows the Rules of Procedure of the Organization:

Paragraph 8

Where an item proposed for the agenda of a session of the Conference in conformity with these Rules contains a proposal for new activities to be undertaken by the Organization, relating to matters which are of direct concern to the United Nations, one or more of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations or other inter-governmental organizations with which FAO has an Agreement of Relationship, the Director-General shall enter into consultation with the organizations concerned and report to the Conference on the means of achieving coordinated use of the resources of the respective organizations. Where a proposal put forward in the course of a meeting for new activities to be undertaken by the Organization relates to matters which are of direct concern to the United Nations or one or more of the other organizations referred to above, the Director-General shall after such consultation as may be possible with the representative of the other organization or organizations concerned attending the meeting, draw the attention of the Conference to the interest which the other organization or organizations may have in the proposal. Before deciding on such proposals, the Conference shall either satisfy itself that adequate consultations have taken place with the organizations concerned or arrange for such consultation.

Paragraph 1

To secure proper consultation pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article XI V of the Constitution, the Director-General shall notify the Member Nations of any proposal for a convention or agreement under paragraph I of Article XIV not later than the time when the agenda of the session of the Conference at which the matter is to be considered is dispatched by the Director-General. Such notification shall be accompanied by:

The Director-General shall, at the same time as he is requesting governments for their comments on the proposed convention, consult the United Nations and other Specialized Agencies in respect of any provision of the proposed convention which affects the activities of such organization or organizations, and the comments of such organization or organizations shall be brought before the Conference c together with the comments received from governments.

Paragraph 2

The Council shall consider regulations or supplementary agreements in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article XIV of the Constitution only when the following conditions are satisfied:

Decides that the present paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 of Rule 11 are to be renumbered 9, 10 and 11, and

Confirms the restrictive interpretation given by the Council with respect to the right to make "representations" mentioned in Rule XXI 2 (b) and (c)

Co-ordinating committee

371. Pine Report of the Working Party on the Long-term Program and Associated Problems provides renewed evidence on the useful functions which small groups of experts with a wide range of knowledge, selected on account of their personal qualifications, can perform in advising the Director-General about FAO's program and working methods. The Conference felt that this function could usefully be entrusted in future to the Coordinating Committee, provided for in Article V-5 of FAO's Constitution. It decided, therefore, to confirm the mandate of the Coordinating Committee as contained in the Constitution and to change the rules regarding its composition and assignment as stated in the following resolution:

Resolution No. 84
Co-ordinating Committee

The Conference

Expressing its agreement with the conclusions and the recommendations contained in paragraphs 56-65 of the Report of the Working Party on the Long-term Program and Associated Problems, with regard to future procedures for examining FAO's program of work,

Decides to entrust this task to the Coordinating Committee, provided for in Article V-5 of the Constitution, and

Resolves to amend Rule XXVI, paragraph 3 as follows:

3. The Co-ordinating Committee, established by the Council pursuant to paragraph 5 of Article V of the Constitution, shall be composed of [the Chairmen of the Council, the Standing Advisory Committees, and the Committee on Financial Control,] seven Members selected by the Council in a personal capacity; on the basis of their wide practical experience of FAO's work and responsibilities. Each member of the Committee shall be a national of a different Member Country

Requests the Director-General to adjust the budgets for 1952 and 1953 in accordance with the financial implications of this decision.

372. The revision of the International Plant Protection Convention of 1929 was recommended by the Conference at its Fifth Session in 1949 A revised draft was examined at several meetings convened for the purpose and was modified in accordance with the suggestions of Member Govern meets. The present form was adopted by the delegates at a technical meeting held in Rome in September 1951,

373. The Conference considered this draft text (Document C 51/10). There was general agreement on the urgent need for this Convention in order to strengthen and coordinate international efforts to prevent the spread and facilitate the control of plant diseases and pests. Several Member Governments expressed the wish that the Convention should enter into operation without further delay. However, some Member Governments indicated they were not yet in a position to sign it.

374. The Conference accepted the Convention in its present form as a satisfactory instrument for achieving its objectives, recognizing, however, that amendments might be needed as a result of experience in its operation. It was noted that provision was made in the Convention for amendments as required. The Conference recommended that the funds necessary to implement the Convention, estimated at $ 12,000 for 1952, be made available. The Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 85
International Plant Protection Convention

The Conference

Having studied the draft revision of the International Plant Protection Convention as adopted by the technical meeting convened at Rome, 25-27 September 1951,

Recognizing its importance in strengthening international co-operation for the prevention of spread and the control of plant diseases and pests,

Approves the Convention in its present form (See Appendix H),

Decides that it be open for signature forthwith, and

Recommends Member Governments to sign at the earliest possible date, and not later than I May 1952.

375. The Conference stressed the importance of the livestock industry in all countries and the need to protect livestock from disease. It was considered that improved control of livestock diseases was necessary if the livestock industry was to develop on a sound economic basis and provide the livestock products required for the maintenance of sound nutrition in all countries.

376. Delegates expressed their appreciation of the work of the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) in providing for Member States a very necessary advisory service on the control of epizootics and keeping them informed on the incidence of animal diseases.

377. It was pointed out, however, that several Member Countries of FAO were not members of OIE. It was, therefore, necessary that OIE and FAO should reach some understanding whereby the full technical knowledge available in the world could be placed at the disposal of both Organizations in order to further the programs of animal disease control and to make certain that these programs were fully coordinated.

378. It was generally agreed that while the note of understanding between FAO and OIE (1947) had been of value, the situation had changed materially as a result of the development of the work of FAO in this field, which had increased With the expansion of the Technical Assistance Program. It was, therefore necessary to make some new arrangement. The Conference considered that the solution to this problem should be worked out very carefully, because of the possibility that the procedure adopted in this case might form the basis for agreements with other international technical bodies whose co operation would be of material value to FAO in the execution of its program of work.

379. It was agreed that a committee composed of representatives fully briefed by their governments, should investigate the problem, using as a basis the draft Constitution submitted by the committee which had been set up by FAO and OIE at the request of the Fourth Session of the FAO Conference. It was understood that any arrangement made between OIE and FAO would not exclude non-member countries of FAO. The Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 86
Relationship with International Office of Epizootics

The Conference

Being of the opinion that a Commission organized on the same lines as the International Rice Commission should be available to ad vise governments on the control of the health and diseases of livestock throughout the world and to concern itself with veterinary matters in general.

Recommends that a committee of representatives of ten countries and representatives of OIE and the Director-General of FAO be convened by the Director-General to suggest to the next Conference the means whereby this might be accomplished and, in particular, to consider the draft Constitution contained in Appendix II to Document C 51/11-2, with a view to recommending such modifications as may be acceptable to Member Governments.

380. the European Committee on Agricultural Technology which has been in existence for some years, requested at its Third Meeting in Rome, June 1951, to be formally recognized by the Conference as coming within the framework of FAO.

381. the Conference, considering that the Committee had rendered very useful services in the past and may be expected to do so in the future agreed to give it formal status.

382. During the discussion on a resolution to this effect, it became clear that the term "Technology, " covering in fact all fields of applied science in agricultural production and research, had a more limited meaning when translated into French and German. The Conference decided, therefore, that the Committee at its next meeting should consider this question and attempt to find a more satisfactory term. The Conference c adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 87
European Committee on Agricultural Technology

The Conference

Recognizing the value of full co-operation between Member Govern meets and between all competent agencies in the application of improved technical methods in agriculture,

Being conscious of the achievements and potentialities of the European Committee on Agricultural Technology in fostering such cooperation between European countries, and thereby reducing duplication of efforts,

Noting that this European Committee, at its Second and Third Meetings, expressed the wish that its functions and status should be formally defined,

Resolves that a European Standing Committee on Agricultural Technology open to all European Member Governments, be now established in conformity with Article VI, paragraph 1 of the Constitution of FAO, and be assigned the following functions:

383. It was understood that the Committee would itself. settle the question of its rules of procedure.

384. Upon invitation by FAO, issued pursuant to recommendations of the Third Session of the Conference, representatives of interested governments met in Lima, Peru, 17-22 September 1951 and drafted an agreement to establish a Latin American Fisheries Council. After discussion of this proposal, during which the Secretariat was authorized to make certain changes in the French and English texts to bring them in line with the official Spanish text, the Conference adopted by more than a two-thirds majority of the votes cast the following resolution:

Resolution No. 88
Latin American Fisheries Council

The Conference

Noting the recommendations made at its Third Session that FAO should take action to initiate the formation of regional fisheries councils in parts of the world not now actively serviced by similar bodies and that the boundaries of the areas in which the councils are to operate, and the constitution of the councils, should be left open for discussion and determination by the nations concerned,

Taking cognizance of the action of the Second Latin American Regional Meeting on Food and Agricultural Programs and Outlook held in Montevideo, Uruguay, December 1950, in requesting the Director-General to convene a meeting of Member Governments of FAO in Latin America for the purpose of drafting an agreement for the establishment of a Latin American Fisheries Council,

Approves the substantive provisions of the draft agreement formulated in Lima, Peru, on 22 September 1951 by some Member Governments of FAO, and

Recommends this draft agreement for favorable consideration by all interested Member Governments of FAO, with a view to the establishment of such a Latin American Fisheries Council (See Appendix 1).

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