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Report

presented on 1 December 2003

by Mrs Jeanne Dambendzet
Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Promotion of Women
of the Republic of Congo

Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the pleasure to report to you on the Ministerial Round Table that was held yesterday evening and that permitted an exchange of views on the role of investment in water and infrastructure to achieve the objectives of food security, and on ways of rendering such investment attractive and sustainable in both the public and the private sector.

Delegations from 49 countries attended the meeting and 25 took the floor. The Round Table was chaired by the Austrian Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forests, Environment and Water Management, and by myself.

The speakers reported on the efforts that their countries had made for the sustainable development and management of their water resources, within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals. They commended the document prepared by the Secretariat and thanked FAO for the opportunity to discuss this topic.

The participants confirmed the basic role of water for human life and notably for agriculture, food security and social and economic development, and thus the need for its integrated management. It was also important to use water efficiently by modernizing infrastructure and adopting water-saving techniques permiting multiple cropping cycles.

Lack of water was a fundamental problem. Water shortages in many regions were at the root of the growing competition between sectors that were affecting agriculture and, by extension, rural employment and development. Water availability could be increased through water treatment and recycling, which also helped to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity.

Several speakers emphasized the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors. It was recognized that the public sector should continue to play a role in mobilizing water resources and major structural works, but that real opportunities existed for the private sector and civil society in all its forms to contribute significantly to the management of water for agriculture. An appropriate enabling policy framework and sound legislation were essential in this regard. The need for closer linkage with the market through related investment was also highlighted.

Several delegations stressed the basic role of education, training and local capacity- building for sound water management. Research also played an important role, especially for the development of appropriate technology, preferably simple and inexpensive technology.

Many speakers underlined the need to promote solidarity at both international and regional level. At the international level, financial assistance to the most disadvantaged countries was needed to enable them to develop their basic infrastructure and to ensure that their water resources were well managed. At the regional level, and in particular in developing countries, solidarity needed to be expressed through programmes of cooperation and sharing of water resources among riparian states.

The participants welcomed the announcement by the Representative of the Netherlands that an International Conference on Water for Agriculture and Ecosystems would be jointly organized with FAO and other partners for the end of 2004, and would deal with matters relating to the integrated management, efficient use and quality of water resources.

In conclusion, the participants recognized the value of being able to exchange views on a topic as important as that of water. We agreed in particular on the need for investment in the sound management of water, which through irrigation played a vital role in the intensification of agricultural production. Irrigation and small water-control works brought prosperity and wealth to the rural world.

Thank you.

Conclusions

presented on 2 December 2003

by Giovanni Alemanno
Minister for Agricultural and Forestry Policies of the Italian Republic
and
Jaime Campos Quiroga
Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Chile

The Round Table was attended by 59 Ministers or representatives of Member Nations, of which 31 took the floor, expressing a wide variety of views. The following were the main conclusions drawn by the co-Chairs:

1. There was general disappointment at the failure of the WTO Cancun Ministerial Conference to achieve a concrete outcome. All delegations stressed the need to resume the negotiations and reach an agreement as soon as possible.
    
2. In this context, several delegations expressed the view that the text of the Chairman of the WTO Cancun Ministerial Conference could be a basis for the resumption of the negotiations.
    
3. Delegations stressed the importance of the 1996 World Food Summit commitment to strive to ensure that food, agricultural trade, and overall trade policies were conducive to fostering food security for all through a fair and market-oriented trade system.
    
4. Delegations reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the Doha Development Agenda mandate in agriculture, that is, the promotion of substantial improvements in market access, reduction of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies, and substantial reduction in trade-distorting domestic support measures.
    
5. The crucial role of open and fair trade for food security was stressed by many. Nevertheless, it was felt that trade alone was not sufficient to ensure food security.
    
6. Some delegations expressed the need to maintain the multilateral nature of trade agreements and not to resort to bilateralism.
    
7. All delegations stressed the importance of flexibility in the negotiations. Some delegations pointed out the need to strike a balance between the interests of countries to increase access to markets and the need to maintain a viable agricultural sector.
    
8. Some delegations proposed the granting of tariff and quota-free access by all developed countries to products of least developed countries, as already done by some countries.
    
9. Several delegations stressed the need to address in the negotiations the need to eliminate market distortions for products of particular interest to developing countries, such as cotton.
    
10. Some delegations stressed the importance of non-trade concerns and the multifunctional role of agriculture in their economies.
     
11. Many delegations expressed appreciation for FAO’s trade capacity-building activities, and called for strengthening the role of FAO in areas such as:

• capacity building for trade
• agricultural policy advice
• impact analyses of various policies
• providing a useful forum to facilitate exchange on the relationship between trade and world food security.

Presented on 3 December 2003

by Franc But
Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Slovenia
and
Magzoub Al-Khalifa Ahmed
Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Sudan

The Round Table noted that worrying levels of food insecurity persisted in many parts of the world, and that food safety concerns were receiving ever- increasing global attention.

Delegates recalled that access to safe food was a component of food security, as defined by the World Food Summit. They highlighted the fact that food-borne illnesses contributed to decreased worker productivity, disability, and even early death, thus lowering incomes and access to food. Practices aimed at improving food safety reduced food losses and increased food availability. In addition, countries that were able to ensure safe food could take advantage of international trade opportunities, thereby increasing income levels.

The Round Table also recognized that the application of food safety standards involved costs which could have negative implications for other aspects of food security, at least in the short run. It noted that adherence to food safety regulations required investments in food production and processing, as well as in human resources. This reduced the availability of resources for other purposes, including food security, and could result in higher food prices, thus decreasing access to food. Food safety standards could also make market access more difficult for less efficient poor producers and could act as barriers to export markets.

Delegates recognized that effective food safety and food security policies would seek to capitalize on the positive impacts and minimise the unwanted effects of these policies.

The Round Table agreed that international harmonization of science-based standards was desirable in order to reduce the cost of national regulations and equalize trading opportunities. While delegates agreed that convergence of international and national standards was therefore desirable, they noted that poor countries faced difficulties when internationally-agreed standards were established at levels which mainly satisfied consumers in high-income countries with little consideration for the compliance cost for poor producers and processors. The Round Table concurred that, in the long run, “dual safety standards” for exported and domestically-consumed products, respectively, were not desirable, although it was noted that they were likely to persist for some time.

The need for increased transparency in standard-setting and communication of any changes in these standards at the national and international level was highlighted. The Round Table called on FAO and other relevant Agencies to facilitate full access of all trading partners to the whole range of national and international food safety regulations. Governments were asked to cooperate in such an endeavour.

Several delegates expressed concern that some importing countries were using non-science based standards as unjustified technical barriers to trade.

Serious concern was expressed regarding the difficulties of adherence to standards established on the basis of a “zero-risk” approach. This approach to exercising precaution in standard-setting could impose prohibitive compliance costs for suppliers. In this context, some delegates noted that, due to environmental factors, zero levels of certain contaminants (e.g. aflatoxins in products grown in tropical areas) could be practically unattainable. Regulators were requested to take this into account in standard-setting.

The Round Table noted that although the adoption of more rigorous food safety standards could imply short-term costs, these could assist in inducing long-term positive effects on the agricultural and food processing sector.

The Round Table also emphasized that donated food must comply with the food standards of the recipient country.

A number of delegates emphasized the difficulties faced by developing countries in effectively participating in Codex standard-setting work, as well as in WTO-related activities. Delegates called upon FAO and the international donor community to assist them in this regard as well as in building capacity for scientific evaluations. Delegates referred to the FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund as a potentially important initiative for providing such support and called for it to be made operational as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the Round Table noted the importance of coordinated, sustainable
capacity- building within developing countries in areas such as food legislation, laboratory infrastructure and staff training. The importance of involving representatives of consumer groups, farmers, producers and the private sector in food safety issues, including standard-setting, was emphasized.

The Round Table concluded that the trend towards increasingly rigorous and comprehensive food safety standards, which was meant to satisfy the needs of all people, rich and poor alike, should be made compatible with the short-term needs of the food insecure.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations hereinafter referred to as FAO and the Office International des Épizooties (World Organisation for Animal Health), hereinafter referred to as the OIE, wishing to coordinate their efforts in the control of animal diseases and safety of food within the framework of their respective mandates, agree to the following:

Article I

1.1 FAO and OIE agree to cooperate closely in matters of common interest pertaining to their respective fields of competence.

1.2 For the purposes of the present Agreement:

- “animal” includes livestock, birds, wild fauna, bees, companion animals, fish and other aquatic animals;

- “agriculture” includes crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry.

Article II

2.1 The OIE is primarily responsible for the:

1. Establishment of standards, guidelines and recommendations relevant to animal diseases and zoonoses in accordance with its Statutes and as defined in the WTO-SPS Agreement.
2. Development and updating of international science-based reference standards and validation of diagnostic tests published in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Aquatic Animal Health Code, Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals and Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals;

2.2 FAO is primarily responsible for the:

1. Establishment of guidelines and recommendations on good agricultural practices relevant to the management of animal diseases and zoonoses;
2. Development of programmes and coordination of activities with other relevant organizations for the effective prevention and progressive control of important animal diseases, including promotion of the collection and analysis of information on the national distribution and impact of these diseases, and provision of relevant technical assistance, particularly in developing countries;
3. Establishment of international food safety standards, guidelines and other recommendations through the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission in accordance with its Statutes and as defined in the WTO-SPS agreement;

2.3 The following activities are object of joint action:

1. Development and maintenance of an appropriate early warning and surveillance system for major animal diseases, and using official OIE sanitary and scientific information as well as other relevant sources of disease information, through a permanent coordinated approach by the major partners of a Global Early Warning and Early Response System;
2. Joint development of international standards relating to those aspects in animal production which impact on food safety, in collaboration with other relevant international agencies.
3. International promotion and co-ordination of veterinary and other related research activities on animal diseases and zoonoses and those aspects in animal production which impact on food safety;
4. Elaboration of regional and international strategies and assist in the negotiation of agreements for the effective prevention and progressive control of animal diseases and zoonoses;
5. Internet portal implemented by FAO on international regulations regarding biosecurity related to animal diseases and zoonoses;
6. Provide expert advice on matters covered by this agreement;
7. Organising strategic meetings, conferences, committees, working groups and task forces on those aspects in animal production which impact on food safety control policies and programmes of both a regional and global scope;
8. Assisting, on request, countries in developing their veterinary education, veterinary services (or other competent authorities) and extension services;
9. Dissemination by publication and other means of technical information related to research, control methods, and those aspects in animal production which impact on food safety.

Article III

FAO and the OIE jointly collaborate, in particular, by the following means:

1. Reciprocal exchange of reports, publications and information including incidence of animal diseases and zoonoses. Special arrangements may be made by the Director General of FAO and the Director General of the OIE for the collection and analysis of relevant information from any Member Nation and distribution of this information to governments of those countries which are not members of one or the other party;
2. Participation of each party in the relevant meetings and conferences of the other, with the right to take part in the discussions on a consultative basis. The two parties agree to avoid holding of meetings and conferences dealing with matters of mutual interest without prior consultation of the other party.
3. Each party may submit to the other proposals for technical consultation or specific action related to subjects of common interest;
4. Continuous consultation and concerted effort by the Director-General of FAO and the Director General of the OIE to reach the same or closely connected objectives and to avoid duplication.
5. Mutual consultation by the Director-General of FAO and the Director General of the OIE on matters of common interest, with a view to promoting arrangements for joint action in specific fields;
6. Adoption by the Director General of FAO and the Director-General of the OIE of appropriate administrative arrangements necessary to implement these policies, including exchange of experts, and cross-training of personnel.

Article IV

To promote efficiency and avoid duplication, FAO and the OIE shall, in the course of the preparation of their respective programmes of activity, in so far as they pertain to the present Agreement, submit to each other their draft programmes for comment and coordination, and each party shall take into account to the extent possible the recommendations of the other. Additionally, FAO and the OIE shall convene one annual coordination meeting of high level officials of each party.

Article V

Both parties may request that the present Agreement be amended. Any such amendment shall be adopted by mutual consent. An exchange of letters will detail the implementation of this agreement.

Article VI

The present Agreement supersedes the Agreement concluded previously between FAO and the OIE.