AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established in 1976, FAO Council having decided at its Sixty-seventh Session (1975, Resolution 1/67) that, subject to approval by the appropriate organs of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), which was later given, the ECE Group of Experts on Mechanization of Agriculture be converted into this joint body. Statutes approved by FAO and ECE in 1979.

To examine and exchange information on all aspects of mechanization through sessions, publications and study tours.

1976

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members in the FAO European Region and to Member States of the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

English, French and Russian.

Use of procedural requirements applicable in FAO and ECE.

1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990.

As per Conference Resolution 13/97, consultations will be held on the future of this Body.

AGRICULTURE

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established by the Director-General in 1949 on the recommendation of a preparatory meeting of representatives of European Member Nations (Paris, 1949) as the "European Committee on Agricultural Technology"; formally recognized as an Article VI-1 Body and its functions defined by the Conference at its Sixth Session (1951, Resolution 87). The title was changed to "European Committee on Agriculture" by decision of the Council at its Fifteenth Session (1952) and in 1956 changed again to the present title. The Commission's terms of reference were broadened by the Conference at its Ninth Session (1957, Resolution 26/57).

To assist Member Governments to undertake joint action and to cooperate in technological agricultural problems, including research, education, extension, review of all nutrition questions, questions relating to agricultural economy not under the purview of the Committee on Commodity Problems, and related activities in or by Member Governments in Europe, as well as to encourage and facilitate cooperation between international governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with agriculture in Europe; and to make recommendations on all matters within its geographical and technical competence.

September 1949.

Open to all Member Nations in the FAO European Region. The Sixth Session (1954) recommended that Member Governments should designate representatives to the Commission who could serve in a continuing capacity.

English, French, Spanish and German (provided by the Federal Republic of Germany).

Adopted at the Fourth Session (1952). Amended at the Sixth (1954), Tenth (1958), Thirteenth (1963), Seventeenth (1970), Twentieth (1976), Twenty-first (1978), Twenty-sixth (1989) and Twenty-eighth (1993) Sessions.

1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997.

Working Party on Women and the Family in Rural Development (REUR-704) (English) (1).

Monitored FAO activities in the European Region, in particular those of the European System of Cooperative Research Networks in Agriculture (ESCORENA), the European Research Networks Advisory Committee (ERNAC) and the Working Party on Women and the Family in Rural Development.

The Thirtieth Session discussed (i) Re-emergence of Pandemic Livestock Diseases in the European Region, in particular reasons for disease spreading, possible counter-measures and responsibilities of the livestock industry and (ii) Agricultural Research: Priorities and Options in Support of Sustainable Agricultural Development in the European Region, including the role of public research institutions, and recommended incorporating research on organic and environment-friendly farming into FAO activities. The Session also endorsed a proposal for a comprehensive review and evaluation of ESCORENA priorities and sustainability and strengthening its catalyst nature and contribution to alleviating problems of food insecurity. It decided that the activities of the Standing Group on European Agricultural Policy should be concluded.

Established by the European Commission on Agriculture at its Fourteenth Session (1965, Resolution ECA 8/65), under the name ECA Working Party on Home Economics. Change to present title approved by the Twelfth FAO Regional Conference for Europe (Athens, 1980).

a)     To encourage the exchange of information and experience with a view to promoting the role of farm women and of the agricultural family in agriculture and rural development;

b)     to encourage and promote, through meetings, studies and action-oriented programmes, policy and other measures that will enhance the professional development of women and the agricultural family in the Member States;

c)     to formulate recommendations on matters pertaining to home economics, education, research, extension, training and other related fields, within its area of technical competence;

d)     to promote cooperation with institutions and agencies striving for the integration of women in the rural development in Member States, specifically in countries in transition.

Working Party on Home Economics (1966)
Working Party on Women and the Agricultural Family in Rural Development (1982).
Working Party on Women and the Family in Rural Development (1997).

Open to all members of the European Commission on Agriculture. The Board of the Working Party, composed of representatives of five Member Nations, expedites follow-up activities and acts as an Advisory Committee between sessions.

English.

Those of the European Commission on Agriculture.

1966, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996.

Organized two international workshops on the preparation and implementation of national action plans for the integration of rural women in development in selected CEE countries, one international summer school on communication techniques and access to information for enhancing rural development, and one international summer school on identification of community leaders and training in leadership skills.

The Eighth Session discussed women’s involvement in the environmental concept for rural development. The Session also highlighted women’s involvement in sustainable rural development using four countries as case studies. It advocated the integration of the sustainable rural development concept into overall national development strategies and its adoption into existing policy measures/instruments, not only in agriculture, but in all sectors important for sustainable development. The Session also called for development of methods to promote women’s involvement in sustainable rural development.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

The Conference, at its Fourth Session (1948), approved the establishment of the Commission and instructed the Director-General to proceed with its organization as soon as the required number of Member Governments had accepted the IRC Constitution formulated by the International Rice Meeting in Baguio (Philippines) in March 1948. The Constitution of the Commission came into force on 4 January 1949 and was amended in 1953, 1955, 1961, 1973 and 1982.

To promote cooperative action by Member Nations in matters relating to the production, conservation, distribution and consumption of rice (excluding matters relating to international trade).

March 1949.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that accept the IRC Constitution in accordance with provisions of Article VIII therof.

The present membership is:

English, French, Spanish.

Adopted at the First Session (1949). Amended at the Third (1952), Fourth (1954), Seventh (1960), the Special (1973) and Fifteenth (1982) Sessions.

Biennial up to 1968 (Second to Eleventh Sessions), and every three to five years from Twelfth Session (1972) onwards. Special Session (1973) recommended that the Secretariat organize Ad Hoc Meetings, Technical Conferences or Expert Consultations on rice problems of particular importance or urgency for a given region or subregion in accordance with regional priorities between regular sessions; Fourteenth Session (1977); Fifteenth Session (1982); Sixteenth Session (1985); Seventeenth Session (1990).

The Commission continued to promote wider adoption of hybrid rice technology outside China. In 1996, India and Viet Nam grew about 80,000 ha and 102,000 ha of hybrid rice, respectively, with technical support from FAO and in collaboration with IRRI in the Philippines and the National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Centre in China. Bangladesh and Myanmar also received FAO’s technical assistance on hybrid rice in the context of the Technical Cooperation Programme. Two regional workshops on Hybrid Rice Development and Use were organized: the former in Ibague, Colombia for the Latin America and Caribbean Region in 1996 and the latter in Hanoi, Viet Nam for the Asia and the Pacific Region in 1997.

Particular efforts were made to support the FAO Inter-Regional Collaborative Research Network on Rice in the Mediterranean Region in organizing workshops on rice improvement programmes; integrated crop management; and rice technology improvement. In collaboration with the Land and Water Division and the Regional Office for Africa, the Commission provided technical assistance to the two regional workshops on swamp rice development and use in West Africa and on Dambo swamp use in East Africa, aimed at strengthening the exploitation of swamps and hydromorphic lands for rice and other food crops production as an alternative to the upland rice shifting cultivation systems which have caused soil and fertility degradation and deforestation.

The Commission’s Steering Committee met once in 1996 and twice in 1997 to review its Members’ activities and to prepare the Nineteenth Session to be held in Cairo, Egypt from 7 to 9 September 1998. The first issue of the FAO Rice Information and two IRC Newsletters, volumes 45 and 46, were published in 1996 and 1997. In addition, the System for Management of Rice Information was reinforced with 9 databases and 100 country profiles.

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established by the Council at its Eighty-third Session (1983, Resolution 4/83), upon the recommendations of the Sixteenth FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (October 1982), designed to rationalize and to render more effective the work of the Statutory Bodies established for the Near East Region.

(a) To conduct periodic reviews and appraisals of important problems in the Region relating to agriculture;

(b) to promote the formulation and implementation of regional and national policies and programmes regarding:

(i) development and management of natural resources;

(ii) crop management, crop protection, seed production and development, and grassland, forage and feed resources;

(iii) animal health and animal genetic resources, dairy and meat development, and livestock production;

(iv) agricultural services, including marketing and credit, food and agricultural industries, agricultural engineering and prevention of food losses;

(v) agricultural research systems, including technology assessment and transfer, environment planning and management, and energy policies and planning for sustainable rural development;

(c) to strengthen regional technical cooperation in the exchange of scientific and technical information and experience;

(d) to provide guidance on training and manpower development programmes.

March-April 1985.

Open to all Member Nations of the Organization whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Near East Region as defined by the Organization and which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present membership is:

Arabic, English.

General Rules of the Organization.

Biennial. Last Session was the Sixth Session (Ankara, Turkey, 25-29 June 1995).

During its Sixth Session in 1995, the Commission discussed five main documents on (a) Date Palm Pest Problems; (b) Camel Production (c) Post Harvest Operations; (d) Mediterranean Fruit Fly Control; and (e) Sustainable Range-Dependent Small Ruminant Production Systems, and issued appropriate recommendations addressed to Member Governments and FAO.

In light of the low attendance by Member Nations, FAO was requested to undertake a study to evaluate the Commission’s performance and usefulness to them, and propose alternative solutions/formula to ensure their participation and active involvement.

As per Council decision (CL 113/2-Sup.1) this Commission (NE/COAG) was merged with the other Near East Commission on Land and Water Use (NE/LWUC). It is proposed that the next joint session be held during the year 2000.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Established upon approval by the Conference at its Seventh Session (1953, Resolution 33) of the Commission's Constitution, which came into force on 12 June 1954. Constitution amended at the Ninth (1962), Twentieth (1973), Twenty-second (1977), Twenty-eighth (1989) and Thirty-second Sessions of the Commission and subsequently approved by the Thirty-ninth (1962, Resolution 3/39), Sixty-first (1973, Resolution 5/61), Seventy-second (1977, Resolution 5/72), and Ninety-sixth (1989, Resolution 2/96) and Hundred and Thirteenth (1997) Sessions of the Council, respectively.

To promote and coordinate national and international action for the prevention and control of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe.

July 1954.

Open to such European Member Nations of FAO and to such European Members of the International Office of Epizootics that are Members of the United Nations as accept the Constitution of the Commission in accordance with Article XV thereof. Other European States that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership. Membership entails the obligation of contributing to the Commission's budget in accordance with a scale of contributions determined by the Commission.

The present membership is:

The European Community attends as observer.

English, French.

Adopted at the Second Session (1955); amended at the Ninth (1962), Eleventh (1964), Twentieth (1973), Twenty-eighth (1989) and Thirty-second (1997) Sessions.

Annual up to and including 1973, then biennial (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997).

Research Group of the Standing Technical Committee (AGA-705) (English) (3)

- Individuals appointed in their personal capacity as determined by the Commission.

As per Conference Resolution 13/97, consultations will be held on the future of this Body.

The Commission continued to monitor the FMD situation in Europe. The Thirty-second Session considered and made recommendations on quality assurance in FMD laboratories, availability of vaccines for emergency situations, risk assessments for FMD, trading guarantees and certification.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Established under Article XXIII of the Agreement for the Establishment of a Regional Animal Production and Health Commission for Asia, the Far East and the Southwest Pacific which was approved by the Council at its Sixtieth Session (1973, Resolution 1/60). The Agreement came into force on 29 December 1975 and was amended in 1977 and 1979 (Resolutions 2/74 and 1/76 of the Seventy-fourth and Seventy-sixth Sessions of the Council) and again in 1986 (Resolution 3/90 of the Ninetieth Session of the Council) to bring the title of the Commission into line with decisions taken by the Conference at its Twentieth Session (1979).

To promote livestock development in general, national and international research and action with respect to animal health and husbandry problems in Asia, the Far East and the Southwest Pacific.

June 1976.

Open to Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization situated wholly or partly within, or responsible for the international relations of any territory situated wholly or partly within, the area bounded by latitudes 500 North, 500 South and longitudes 600 East and 1300 West that become parties to the Agreement by the deposit of an instrument of acceptance.

The present membership is:

Working Language

English.

Adopted at the First Session (1976).

Proposed to be annual until 1995. Biennial during 1995-96, then back to annual from 1997.

The Twenty-first General Session of the Commission took place in Nepal, March 1997 and two Executive Committee Meetings were held in 1996 and 1997 in Bangkok and Kathmandu, respectively. The Commission dealt with livestock information exchange, disease information, training, EMPRES-APHCA FMD and contingency animal disease control.

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established by the Council at its Ninety-second Session (1987, Resolution 1/92).

To recommend animal production and health policies for the Members of the Commission; to plan and promote action for the improvement of animal production; to plan and promote action for the survey and control of animal diseases and recommend common standards and practices for this purpose; to plan and promote action for the transfer and adaptation of biotechnology in livestock development; to plan and promote action to establish research and educational programmes to meet the needs of the animal industry; to determine, in consultation with Members concerned, the nature and extent of assistance needed by such Members in order to implement their national livestock development programmes, as well as to support regional programmes; to appraise progress reports on the implementation and development of the programme.

September 1988.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization in Latin America and the Caribbean. Membership shall comprise those Member Nations or Associate Members which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

English, Spanish.

General Rules of the Organization.

Biennial.

The Commission at its Fifth Session in August 1996 passed a number of important recommendations with regard to addressing non-tariff trade barriers in livestock products trade from a health control, information, animal production and policy point of view. This will greatly strengthen the capacity of countries to comply with the SPS agreement of WTO and will give new direction to FAO’s work in facilitating fair and safe transboundary trade through communication, networking, technical and policy advice.