COMMODITIES AND TRADE

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Twenty-third Session (1954), with the decision that it should meet in Washington, D.C., USA.

The Sub-Committee's terms of reference were laid down by the CCP at its Twenty-third Session and restated at its Thirty-first and Forty-fourth Sessions. They require it to keep developments in the disposal of agricultural surpluses under review, and to assist Member Nations in developing suitable means of surplus disposal; to provide a forum for consultations and notifications of food aid transactions of Member Nations including usual marketing requirements, as listed in the catalogue attached to the terms of reference, and any other types of transactions subsequently agreed to by CCP; in essence, to provide a forum for the examination of any difficulty that may arise in light of the Guidelines and Principles of Surplus Disposal as endorsed by the Conference and to promote observance of the principles recommended by FAO.

July 1954.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO.

The present membership is:

English.

Revised rules were adopted at the Sixty-fifth Session (1960). The CCP, at its Thirty-third Session, made amendments to the rules of the Sub-Committee which the latter subsequently adopted.

Approximately ten per year.

The Sub-Committee continued its regular review of notifications of food aid transactions to ensure that this assistance does not adversely affect commercial trade and does not create disincentives to domestic production in the recipient countries. A major accomplishment by the Sub-Committee during 1996-97 was a comprehensive examination of the catalogue of food aid transactions and reporting obligations in the light of the incorporation of the Principles of Surplus Disposal in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. The Sub-Committee’s report with recommendations on improving notification, consultation and reporting procedures, including the replacement of the catalogue of transactions with a new Register of Transactions, were endorsed by the FAO Council in November 1997.

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Twenty-sixth Session (1955). The Intergovernmental Group was originally called the Consultative Sub-Committee on the Economic Aspects of Rice and later the Study Group on Rice.

To provide a forum for consultations on the economic aspects of rice, paying particular attention to any special difficulties which exist or are likely to arise in the international trade in rice.

November 1956.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production, consumption of and trade in rice. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended the Thirty-eighth Session:

Observers: UNCTAD, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO and Warda.

English, French, Spanish.

Revised rules were adopted at the Twenty-fifth Session (April 1982).

Once per biennium.

Sub-Group on Rice Grading and Standardization (ESC-704) (Cat. 1) - last session was held in 1972.

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

Conducted a review of the world rice supply and demand situation and outlook, including the evaluation of rice stocks and the implications for world food security; reviewed the impact of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture on the world rice economy, with particular emphasis on domestic support, export subsidies and market access; assessed the impact of rice production on the environment, in particular the economic costs and benefits associated with the introduction of measures to reduce negative environmental effects in rice production; adopted a set of guidelines on environmental policies; reviewed the follow-up action to the Guidelines for National and International Action on Rice and made some recommendations; reviewed the status report on two project proposals for sponsorship by the Common Fund for Commodities and authorised the Secretariat to facilitate the project approval process.

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems at its Twenty-seventh Session (1956).

To study the production and consumption of, and trade in, cocoa. To review measures designed to promote a steady expansion of production and consumption of cocoa, including any technical questions bearing on these issues and to consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist, or may be expected to arise, and to submit reports and/or recommendations on the subject.

November 1956.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, cocoa. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

English, French, Spanish.

Revised rules were adopted at the Fourth Session.

The last session was held in 1963 when, on the basis of a draft text developed within the FAO group, the Secretary-General of the UN convened a formal Negotiating Conference on an International Cocoa Agreement.

Sub-Group on Cocoa Grading (ESC-708). (No session held since 1969). (1)

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

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems at its Twenty-eighth Session (1957).

To consider matters relating to all grains, other than rice, including review of national grain policies and their international effects. To study the production and consumption of, and trade in, grains. To consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist, or may be expected to arise. The Group gives special emphasis to problems related to coarse grains, to grains as animal feed, and to developing countries. The Group is also designated an ICB for purposes of submitting projects for financing by the Common Fund on grains, cassava, pulses and roots and tubers.

May 1957.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, grains. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council. At its Forty-eighth Session (1967), the Council approved the participation of the USSR in the Group, the seat of which was later taken by the Russian Federation.

Member Nations having attended the Twenty-seventh Session:

English, French, Spanish.

Revised rules were adopted at the Twenty-first Session. Revised terms of reference adopted at the Twenty-first and Twenty-sixth Sessions and amended in 1997 (see below).

Normally once per biennium.

Conducted a review of developments in world grain production, utilization, trade, stocks and prices in 1995-96 and examined the short-term outlook for 1996-97; discussed the transmission of high international market prices in 1995-96 on consumer prices in importing developing countries and on producer prices in exporting countries; analysed the steep price rise in 1995-96 followed by an equally sharp fall in the first half of 1996-97 with a view to establish whether these events were of a short-term nature; reviewed FAO’s benchmark cereal stocks-to-utilization ratio; endorsed five new Common Fund project proposals; set up a Sub-Group so as to speed up project preparation for consideration by the Common Fund; agreed to extend the Group’s terms of reference to include roots, tubers and pulses exclusively for purposes of sponsoring projects on these commodities to the Common Fund; endorsed a commodity development strategy for cassava.

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-second Session (1959) for a period of two years. Following an extension, the period was indefinitely extended by the CCP at its Thirty-eighth Session (1965).

To study problems affecting the long-term equilibrium of production and consumption of citrus products and the economic aspects of problems arising from the perishable nature of citrus fruit. To consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise.

May 1960.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, citrus fruit and citrus products. Interested non-Member Nations of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council. Member Nations having attended the Eleventh Session:

English, French, Spanish.

Revised rules were adopted at the Second Session (1961), and at the Seventh Session (1986).

1960, 1961, 1963, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996.

Steering Sub-Group (ESC-711) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Member Nations appointed on a permanent basis by the Group.

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

Undertook an analysis of current market developments and short term prospects for citrus fruits. Reviewed and analysed demand prospects for citrus juices in non-traditional markets. Continued work to evaluate options for viable generic promotion activities which might be considered in future meetings of the Group. Reviewed policy and regulatory measures, including those related to the Uruguay Round, NAFTA and environmental issues in citrus production. Continued, in its role as the International Commodity Body (ICB), to develop projects for submission to the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-sixth Session (1963).

To provide a forum for consultations on, and studies of, the economic aspects of production, marketing, trade and consumption of jute, kenaf and allied fibres. To study marketing practices and their improvement; to consider the causes of disequilibrium between production and consumption; to develop suitable measures to deal with special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise.

September 1964.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, jute, kenaf and allied fibres. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended Thirty-first Session:

Observers: Russian Federation

English, French, Spanish.

Revised rules were adopted at the Seventeenth Session (December 1981).

Biannual to 1976, then normally annually until 1995 and then once in two years.

Evaluated market developments and short-term outlook for jute, kenaf and allied fibres including competition from synthetics and established indicative prices for jute; assessed long-term prospects for jute, kenaf and allied fibres to the year 2005; reviewed beneficial effects of shifting of jute spinning industry from Western Europe to jute-producing countries; launched the collection of information on research on diversified uses of jute, kenaf and allied fibres and promoted the use of electronic systems to disseminate information under the FAO Jute Information System.

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-eighth Session (1965). This body was formerly the Group on Coconut and Coconut Products, whose terms of reference were widened to cover all oilseeds, oils and fats.

To provide a forum for studies and consultations on the economic aspects of production, processing, consumption, trade and marketing of oilseeds, oils, fats, oilcakes and meals, with particular attention to the problems of developing countries; to identify specific problems calling for short-term action, and to consider all measures which could contribute to the solution of medium- and long-term problems and to submit practical proposals for intergovernmental arrangements.

September 1966.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, oilseeds, oils and fats or their products. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council. The Council, at its Forty-eighth Session (1967), approved the participation of the USSR in the Group.

Member Nations having attended Twenty-eighth Session:

English, French, Spanish.

Revised Rules were adopted at the Sixteenth Session (March 1982).

Once per biennium.

Sub-Group on Statistics (ESC-715) (English, French, Spanish) (Cat. 1)

- Open to all Members of the Group (last met in 1984).

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

The Group provided the only permanent specialized international forum dealing with the economic aspects of the oilseeds, oils and protein meals sector worldwide. At its last session, the Group
(a) reviewed the current market situation for oilseeds, oils and fats, (b) made specific recommendations regarding the objectives of international cooperation and national policies, (c) examined developments concerning the Common Fund for Commodities, (d) discussed environmental issues, biotechnology developments and sanitary and phytosanitary measures affecting the sector, and (e) identified areas of particular interest to the Group on which the Secretariat should concentrate future work.

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-eighth Session (1965).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultation on and studies of the economic aspects of production, marketing, trade and consumption of bananas, with special reference to the relations between consumption and prices, income, trade barriers and distribution systems, and the possibilities of increasing world consumption. To study the efficiency and social aspects of the banana industry with particular emphasis on the improvement of living standards of those engaged in said industry. To study the economic problems of the banana industry and make recommendations for marketing high-quality bananas at prices that are fair to both producers and consumers.

First Session

March/April 1966.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, bananas. Interested non-Member Nations of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended the Fifteenth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session, revised at the Eighth Session, and again at the Eleventh Session.

Pattern of Sessions

1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997.

Sub-Group on Statistics (ESC-717) (1)

- Open to all Members of the Group.

Sub-Group of Exporters (ESC-718) (1)

- Open to all banana-exporting Member Nations of the Group.

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

Continued to be the main forum for in-depth discussions on issues related to the world banana economy, its problems and their appropriate remedial measures; monitored developments in the EC Banana Regime, including developments related to the dispute on EC banana imports in the World Trade Organization and the impact of Uruguay Round commitments on demand; undertook analysis of supply, demand, exports and imports to the year 2000; analyzed the issue of diversification among banana-producing developing nations; provided supervision of the Banana Improvement Project being financed by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) with the World Bank as the Project Executing Agency; approved four new project outlines for submission to the CFC for possible financing.

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Fortieth Session (1966).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultation on and studies of the economic aspects of production, local processing, marketing, trade and consumption of abaca, sisal, henequen and other hard fibres, individually, and as a group. To study marketing practices and their improvement; to consider the causes of disequilibrium between production and consumption, including competition with synthetics and the development of new uses; to consider, implement and monitor measures to deal with special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise. Coir has since been added to the list of hard fibres falling within these terms of reference.

September 1966.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, hard fibres. Interested non-Member Nations of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended Twenty-ninth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session.

Pattern of Sessions

1966, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1973 (twice), 1974, 1975 (twice), 1976 (twice), 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996.

Subsidiary Bodies

Advisory Working Party on Hard Fibre Research (AGS-704) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Open to all Member Nations of the Group.

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

Sub-Group of Sisal and Henequen Producing Countries (ESC-731) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Member Nations producing sisal and henequen.

Continued to be the principal intergovernmental forum assisting countries interested in the production, trade and manufacture of hard fibres in finding solutions to the problems facing this group of commodities, especially those affected by the increased threat of synthetics, including environmental implications; reviewed market prospects for hard fibres and products and established indicative prices for abaca and sisal fibres and for sisal harvest twines; assessed the market prospects for selected non-traditional fibre products; as an International Commodity Body in relation to the Common Fund for Commodities, developed project proposals for sponsoring and financing by the Second Account of the Fund and supervised the execution of projects which had been approved.

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Forty-third Session (1968).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on, and studies of, all problems connected with wine and vine products with special reference to the relations between consumption and prices, income, trade barriers and distribution systems, and the possibilities of increasing trade and world consumption. To consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise and to submit reports and recommendations to improve international trade and to increase the viability of the vine economies in producing countries.

First Session

September 1969.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, these commodities. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended the Fifth Session during 1994-95 biennium:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session; revised terms of reference and rules of procedure were adopted at the Fourth Session (1983).

Pattern of Sessions

1969, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1992, 1994.

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

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Forty-fourth Session (1969) as the Consultative Committee on Tea, following a series of ad hoc intergovernmental consultations under FAO auspices beginning in 1965 and an emergency meeting of tea-exporting countries in 1969 which agreed on an informal export quota arrangement for 1970. The title of this Body was changed in 1971 to that above.

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultation on, and studies of, all problems connected with tea. In particular, to conduct a continuing review of short- and long-term developments in tea production, consumption, trade and prices, to study market structure and the promotion of tea consumption, and to consider international action and prepare proposals for subcommission to Governments.

First Session

December 1969.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, tea. Interested non-Member Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended the Twelfth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised and adopted at the Sixth Session of the Group (1985).

Pattern of Sessions

1969, 1970, 1974 (Special Session), 1976, 1977 (twice), 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997.

Subsidiary Bodies

Sub-Group of Exporters (ESC-724) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Open to all net-exporting countries. Other producing countries should also be invited.

Sub-Group on Promotion (ESC-725) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Open to all members of the Intergovernmental Group on Tea.

Sub-Group on Statistics (ESC-730) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- Open to all Member Nations of FAO that are substantially interested in the production and consumption of tea, and international trade in this commodity.

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

Continued to provide a global forum for monitoring market and policy developments for tea, pursued work to analyse the world tea economy; evaluated the contribution of export earnings from tea on smallholder food security; carried out a quantitative analysis of the world tea market using the FAO global tea model; provided a forum for developing project proposals for submission to the Common Fund for Commodities; continued the successful implementation of the project on generic promotion of black tea.

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Forty-fifth Session (1970). Originally called the Study Group on Meat.

To provide a forum for consultations on and studies of international trade, production and consumption of meat, with emphasis on the problems involved in livestock development and meat marketing. To analyse programmes related to the expansion of meat production and their influence on trade; analyse short-, medium- and long-term production, consumption and market prospects for meat and meat products; to exchange information on up-to-date techniques to improve productivity of the livestock sector in developing countries, while adhering to strict meat hygiene and veterinary and sanitary regulations; to identify problem areas in world trade and to inform the competent bodies of their scope and magnitude.

First Session

June 1971.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, meat and meat products. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended the Sixteenth Session:

Observers: Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), International Meat Secretariat.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session and revised at the Tenth Session (1983).

Pattern of Sessions

Once per biennium.

Subsidiary Body

Sub-Group on Hides and Skins (ESC-706) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

- All Members of the Group.

The Group reviewed the current world meat market situation; examined livestock and meat policies of governments and progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Guidelines for International Cooperation in the Livestock and Meat Sector; considered possible revisions to these Guidelines; analysed the possible impacts of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy on the world meat economy; reviewed the current pattern of trade in meat and live animals and the growth potential of the sector in the southern Africa region; examined the technical barriers faced by developing exporting countries in accessing developed country markets and the progress in their reduction under the provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements; identified the basic interactions between livestock and the environment in different livestock production systems; reviewed developments regarding the Common Fund for Commodities that have a bearing on livestock and meat projects.

The Sub-Group at its Fifth Session (May 1996) reviewed the market situation and outlook for production, consumption and trade in the light of the Uruguay Round Agreements; assessed constraints to the expansion of exports of African hides, skins, leather and leather products, and recommended ways to enhance these exports; promoted improvement of statistical intelligence; provided a forum for developing project proposals for submission to the Common Fund for Commodities; reviewed and endorsed progress towards the development of an international ecolabelling system for leather and leather products.