LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

a)    The formulation of the work programme of the Commission in relation to improved land and water use in the Region;

b)    the establishment of priorities for the gradual elimination of factors limiting the more efficient use of land and water resources (with particular reference to the farm level of operations);

c)    the formulation of recommendations regarding measures to be adopted by member countries of the Region in the specialized fields of land and water use, both for irrigated and dryland areas;

d)    the formulation of recommendations regarding ways and means in which FAO could assist countries of the Region in the development of land and water use, both in irrigated and dryland areas, as found necessary;

e)    the consideration of problems referred to the Commission by the Director-General, the FAO Conference or Council and the preparation of suitable reports, including relevant recommendations;

f)    when appropriate, the establishment of Working Parties to deal with specific land and water use problems, on the basis of terms of reference to be determined in each case by the Commission;

g)    the compilation of data relating to development and conservation of the land and water resources of the Region and promotion of exchange of information in this field between members of the Commission.

September 1967.

Such Member Nations and Associate Members serviced by the Near East Regional Office, as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present membership is:

Ethiopia, France, Malta, United Kingdom and United States of America attend as observers.

Arabic, English.

General Rules of the Organization.

1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996.

The programme of RNE Soils and Waters was primarily based on the Commission recommendations regarding inventory and assessments of land and water resources in the Region, as well as policies and management of land and water resources. In the former instance, RNE developed activities related to AQUASTAT and SOTER databases. In the latter instance, RNE held two Expert Consultations on National Water Policy Reform, promoted cooperation with concerned regional organizations through IAFT, and implemented several activities to achieve sustainable development of the land and water resource base.

The Session was attended by 11 delegations from Egypt, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen and observers from France, Palestine, ACSAD, AOAD, CEDARE, ESCWA, LAS, UNDP and WHO.

As per the decision of the Hundred and Thirteenth Session of the FAO Council ( CL 113/3-Sup. document), this Commission will be merged with the Near East Regional Commission on Agriculture (NE/COAG) during the forthcoming biennium, and sessions thereof held back-to-back with the Regional Conference for the Near East.

It is proposed that the next Joint Session be held during the year 2000.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 44/63) on the recommendations of the meetings of the FAO Member Nations directly concerned (Teheran, 1962 and Rome, 1963) and of the FAO Desert Locust Committee at its Eighth Session (1963). It came into force on 15 December 1964 and was amended by the Commission at its Twelfth Session (1977), with subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72).

To carry out all possible measures to control plagues of the Desert Locust within their countries and to reduce crop damage by adopting the following essential procedures:

a)    Maintaining permanent locust information and reporting services;

b)    maintaining an adequate permanent locust control service;

c)    holding reserves of insecticides and application equipment;

d)    encouraging and supporting training, survey and research work, including, where appropriate, the maintenance of national research stations for the study of the Desert Locust, considered desirable by the Commission and compatible with the resources of the country;

e)    participating in the implementation of any common policy of locust control or prevention which may be approved by the Commission;

f)    facilitating the storage of any items of anti-locust equipment and insecticides held by the Commission and permitting their duty-free import or export without hindrance, as well as facilitating their free movement within the country;

g)    providing the Commission with any information it may request to implement its functions effectively.

December 1964.

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization in the Region as accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region 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 to contribute to the Commission's budget in accordance with a scale of contributions determined by the Commission.

The present membership is:

English.

General Rules of the Organization.

Annual (except for 1976); biennial since 1981.

A joint ground survey was carried out during the spring in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan and a final report was produced and distributed to donors and countries. Special border meetings were held by India and Pakistan during the summer breeding seasons to exchange information on locust populations and facilitate coordination. Assistance was provided to each Member Nation for locust survey purposes.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Established under Article II of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region which was approved by the Council at its Twenty-third Session (1955) and entered into force on 2 July 1956. The geographic scope of the Agreement was extended on 16 August 1969, following approval by the Council at its Forty-ninth Session (1967, Resolution 2/49) to the amendment of Article I (a). The deletion of the word "Southeast" in the title of the Agreement and the change of the name of the "Plant Protection Committee for Southeast Asia and the Pacific" to read "Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission" was proposed by the Eleventh Session of the Committee (September 1978) and approved by the Council at its Seventy-fifth Session (June 1979). The amended titles entered into force for all Contracting Governments on 16 February 1983. An amendment to paragraph (a), Article I of the Agreement aimed to include the People's Republic of China in the definition of the Region was proposed by the Commission at its Thirteenth Session (April 1983) and approved by the Council at its Eighty-fourth Session (November 1983). The amendment entered into force on 23 May 1990.

To strengthen international cooperation in plant protection measures in order to prevent the introduction of destructive plant diseases and pests and their spread within the Region.

December 1956, as "Plant Protection Committee for the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region".
April 1983: Thirteenth Session of the Commission was the first with the amended title "Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission".

States situated in the Region which become parties to the Agreement in accordance with Article X thereof.

The present membership is:

English, and also French if a French-speaking Member Nation advises the Director-General of its intention to participate.

General Rules of the Organization.

Every second year (Biennial).

The major events of the Commission in 1996-97 were the Twentieth Session held in Thailand, August 1997, two Executive Committee meetings, and two Expert Consultations.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Council at its Forty-fourth Session (1965, Resolution 6/44), under the authority of the Conference (Eleventh Session, 1961, Resolution 9/61) and on the recommendation of a Special Conference held in Beirut (1965). The Agreement came into force on 21 February 1967 and was amended by the Commission at its Seventh Session (1976), with subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72). The Twentieth Session of the Commission, held in Cairo from 18-20 December 1994, considered renaming the Region "Central Region" and consequently modifying the name of the Commission and the Agreement. It also considered modifying the definition of the Region covered by the Agreement to make it possible for Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia to to become Members of the Commission. This was approved by the Council at its Hundred and Eighth Session (5-14 June 1995).

To carry out all possible measures to control plagues of the Desert Locust within Commission Members' countries and to reduce crop damage by adopting the following procedures:

a)    Maintaining a permanent locust reporting and control service;

b)    holding reserves of insecticides and application equipment;

c)    encouraging and supporting training, survey and research stations, including where appropriate the maintenance of national research stations for the study of the Desert Locust, considered desirable by the Commission and compatible with the resources of the country;

d)    participating in the implementation of any common policy of locust control or prevention which may be approved by the Commission;

e)    facilitating the storage of any items of anti-locust equipment and insecticides held by the Commission and permitting their duty-free import or export without hindrance, as well as their free movement within the country;

f)    providing the Commission with any information it may request to implement its functions effectively.

February 1969.

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization situated in the Region as accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XIV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region 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.

The present membership is:

Arabic.

General Rules of the Organization.

Annual.

The monthly Desert Locust Bulletin and its Updates prepared by the Information and Forecasting Unit of the Locust Group at the FAO Headquarters were translated into Arabic and distributed in the Region. The Commission Secretariat assisted in information gathering and forwarding the reports to the FAO Headquarters.

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

The Agreement for the establishment of the Commission was approved by the Council at its Fifty-fifth Session (1970, Resolution 4/55). It was amended by the Commission at its Sixth Session (1977), with the subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 5/72). The Commission replaced the FAO Northwest African Desert Locust Research and Control Coordination Sub-Committee, which had been a Subsidiary Body of the FAO Desert Locust Control Committee.

To promote national and international research and action with respect to the control of the Desert Locust in Northwest Africa.

March 1972.

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization situated in the Region accepting the Agreement in accordance with Article XIV thereof. Other Nations situated in the Region 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.

The present membership is:

France, OCLALAV (Joint Anti-Locust and Anti-Aviarian Organization) and the League of Arab States attend sessions as observers.

Arabic.

General Rules of the Organization.

Annual until 1983, and biennial thereafter.

During the period under review, the Commission continued its mandate of Desert Locust survey and control and regional coordination. In promoting locust control, it organized many meetings where decisions were taken to strengthen the national control capacity, to consolidate the strategy of preventive control and to enhance regional cooperation. The Commission granted, on an annual basis, US$ 20,000 as a contribution to the operating expenses of the Survey and Control teams (especially in Mauritania)

Two high-level scholarships in the field of locust control were funded. Research projects, especially in preventive control, meteorology in relation to the Desert Locust and the safeguarding of the environment were elaborated, and the Commission proposed that they be implemented under the EMPRES programme.

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established by the Council at its Forty-eighth Session (1967, Resolution 8/48).

To strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in plant quarantine in the Caribbean area in order to prevent the introduction of destructive plant pests and diseases and to preserve the existing plant resources of that area.

July 1968.

Membership shall comprise Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are wholly or partly in the Caribbean Area, that have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present membership is:

English, French, Spanish.

Adopted at the First Session (1968) and amended at the Third (1972) and Fourth (1976) Sessions.

1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993.

Activities of the CPPC have been very limited recently.

Information dissemination by the RPPO has been the major activity over the past year through the issuance of Circular Letters to all CPPC Members informing of new pest outbreaks and updating on important pests of quarantine significance, as well as responding to individual queries from Members.

In addition, the CPPC was represented both at the meeting of the Inter-American Group for Coordination in Plant Protection and the COAG meeting in Rome in April 1997 for discussions on the finalisation of the Revised IPPC. CPPC also continued to be represented on the Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures.

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Established in January 1955 by the Director-General on the recommendation of the Working Party on Desert Locust Control (1954) as an expansion of the previous Coordinating Committee for the Control of the Desert Locust in the Arabian Peninsula. The Conference at its Eighth Session (1955) endorsed the establishment of the Committee and approved its terms of reference.

As amended by the Council at its Fifty-first Session (1968, Resolution 3/51):

a)    To keep the Desert Locust situation under review;

b)    to coordinate the Desert Locust control campaign in the Arabian Peninsula and other affected areas;

c)    to promote the overall coordination of work by various national and regional anti-locust organizations and commissions;

d)    to promote the coordination of national and international policies and preventive measures in Desert Locust control and research;

e)    to provide the Director-General with technical and scientific advice on the Desert Locust situation and on the measures required to keep it under control. For this purpose, whenever there are scientific and technical matters to be discussed at the future sessions of the FAO Desert Locust Control Committee, they should be preceded by meetings of a small number of locust experts to study and report to the Committee on all relevant technical and scientific matters designed to improve and rationalize control of the Desert Locust;

f)    to give general policy guidance and to provide technical advice to the Director-General on, and review of, the work programme financed under the International Desert Locust Trust Fund No. 9161, and to review the annual and financial reports for the work performed under the above-mentioned Trust Fund.

April 1955.

Member Nations and Associate Members affected by the desert locust and other interested Governments.

The present membership is:

Arabic, English, French.

General Rules of the Organization.

Annual to 1982; 1988, 1989. Biennial: 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992.

DLCC Desert Locust Technical Group (AGP-727) (English, French) (1)

• Small number of locust experts of the highest technical standing nominated by DLCC for a two-year period.

The Desert Locust situation and outlook and the existing control potential of Member Nations/regional organizations was reviewed by DLCC when it met in February 1997. The Committee noted that continued improvements were made on the SWARMS GIS for Desert Locust monitoring and forecasting at Headquarters. An award-winning Website was established on the Internet to facilitate current and archived information, including a user-customized map of current infestations. The quality of the monthly bulletin was improved by redesigning its layout and incorporating more maps and by its transmission increasingly by e-mail and Internet technologies.

A standardised Locust Survey and Control Form was developed and approved. Work on updating the FAO Desert Locust Guidelines was undertaken. An atlas of Desert Locust habitats were prepared and disseminated. Studies were carried out on remote-sensing, economics and reporting. Regional workshops were held on survey and economics.

The Committee also noted the good progress being made in establishing the EMPRES (Desert Locust) Programme in the Central Region. The DLCC Technical Group met in June 1996 giving close attention to the activities of EMPRES and of the Pesticide Referee Group. It recommended that environmental side-effects of locust pesticides should be part of the assessed efficacity.

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established as the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources by the Council at its Eighty-Fifth Session (1983, Resolution 1/83 as requested by the Conference (1983, Resolution 9/83). Broadened to cover all components of biodiversity of relevance to food and agriculture by the Conference (1995, Resolution 3/95), under its current name. Statutes adopted by the Council (1995, Resolution 1/110), at the request of the Conference.

a)    to keep under continuous review all matters relating to the policy, programmes and activities of FAO in the area of genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, including their conservation and sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilization, and to advise the Director-General and the Council and, as appropriate, its technical committees, including in particular the Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on such matters;

b)    to recommend such measures as may be necessary or desirable to ensure the development, as appropriate, of a comprehensive global system or systems on genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture and to monitor the operation of its/their components, in harmony, where applicable, with the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant international instruments;

c)    to provide an intergovernmental forum for negotiations and to oversee the development, upon the request of the FAO Governing Bodies, of other international agreements, undertakings, codes of conduct or other instruments relating to genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, and to monitor the operation of such instruments;

d)    to facilitate and oversee cooperation between FAO and other international governmental and non-governmental bodies dealing with the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, in particular with the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, and to seek to develop appropriate mechanisms for cooperation and coordination in consultation with such bodies;

e)    subject to approval by the Governing Bodies of FAO, as appropriate, to respond to requests from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the specific area of genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture, including the provision of information and other services to the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, especially in the areas of early warning systems, global assessment and clearing-house facilities, in particular, and as appropriate, through the Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

11-15 March 1985 (as the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources).

Open to all Members and Associate Members of the Organization, and composed of those Members or Associate Members that notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered Members.

The present membership is:

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish

May adapt and amend its own rules of procedures, in conformity with the Constitution and General Rules of the Organization and with the statement of principles governing Commissions and Committees adopted by the Conference.

Normally one regular session each biennium, held in Rome. Extraordinary sessions may be convened, if necessary.

The Commission may establish Intergovernmental Sectorial Working Groups, with appropriate geographical balance, in the areas of plant, animal, forestry and fisheries genetic resources.The Commission may establish such other Subsidiary Bodies as it deems necessary. There are currently two Sectoral Working Groups, one on Plant Genetic Resources and another on Animal Genetic Resources. As per Conference Resolution 13/97, consultations are being held on the future of
AGP-803 - Working Group of the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources.

During the biennium, the Commission held four sessions, and focused on the continuation of the negotiating process for the revision of the International Undertaking in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity (Conference Resolution 7/93), including regulation of access and sharing benefits, and the realization of Farmers’ Rights; and the preparation of, and follow-up to, the Fourth International Technical Conference (Leipzig, Germany, June 1996).

The second Extraordinary Session (April 1996) reviewed the first report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources, and negotiated the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the Fourth International Technical Conference held in June 1996 in Leipzig (Germany). It also prepared the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking.

At the Third Extraordinary Session (December 1996), Member Nations continued the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking.

At the Seventh Regular Session (May 1997), the Commission reviewed FAO’s policy, programmes and activities in the area of genetic resources for food and agriculture, and made appropriate recommendations. It also received reports from international organizations dealing with genetic resources for food and agriculture and agricultural biodiversity in general including from the Convention on Biological Diversity, and made recommendations to facilitate cooperation and coordination. The Commission also followed up on the Leipzig International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, and made recommendations on the implementation and monitoring of the Global Plan of Action adopted there. It also agreed that the agreements between FAO and twelve International Agricultural Research Centres, whereby the Centres put designated germplasm under the auspices of FAO, due to expire in October 1999, be extended pending the finalization of the revision of the International Undertaking. Countries utilized part of the Session to continue their negotiations for the revision of the Undertaking.

The Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Commission (December 1997) was solely dedicated to the continuation of the negotiations of the revision of the International Undertaking, and considerable progress was made.

(Article VI-4 of the Constitution)

Established by the Twenty-seventh Session of the Conference in 1993.

The CEPM provides support to the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in the programme for the international harmonization of phytosanitary measures. It serves as a review and advisory body, making recommendations on the development and acceptability of proposals at various stages in development and, where appropriate, recommends acceptance by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures. In cooperation with Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs), the CEPM makes recommendations on the priorities for standards and guidelines for global harmonization, and assists in the initiation of their development.

May 1994.

Approximately 14 experts nominated by RPPOs and a number of experts from Members not covered by RPPOs. All experts are appointed by the Director-General of FAO.

English.

Sessions held in Rome each year in May, except the 1997 session which was held in October. The Fifth Session was held from 11 to 14 May 1998.

General Rules of the Organization.

The work programme of CEPM included eight draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures and various points of business related to phytosanitary definitions and developmental work in the framework for standard elaboration, particularly changes with respect to the New Revised Text of the IPPC. Four Standards were reviewed, revised, and approved for circulation to countries for consultation.

(Article VI-4 of the Constitution)

Established by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Conference in 1997.

The Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures is a precursor to a permanent Commission on Phytosanitary Measures becoming reality upon the coming into force of the New Revised Text of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), following acceptance or adherence by two thirds of its Members. The ComPM is to function in the promotion of the full implementation of the objectives of the IPPC. It replaces the FAO Governing Bodies as the mechanism for the approval of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures and it provides direction to the Secretariat of the IPPC, as well as a forum for communication and global coordination on phytosanitary issues.

November 1998.

Open to all FAO Members.

Official languages of the Organization.

Sessions to be held each year beginning November, 1998.

General Rules of the Organization

Not applicable.

STATISTICS

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

The Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961) approved the creation of the Commission and requested the Director-General to establish and adequately service a permanent regional agricultural statistical commission for Africa.

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region and advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistics within the general framework of FAO's work in statistics, and to convene study groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts for this purpose.

October 1962.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Region. Membership comprises such Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present membership is:

The United Kingdom and the United States of America attend sessions as observers.

English, French.

General Rules of the Organization.

1962, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997.

Enhanced the adoption of improved procedures and methodologies for obtaining livestock statistics in the Nations of the Region.

Clarified identification operations for integrating gender concerns into existing national agricultural data collection exercises.

Catalyzed the development of a framework for implementing the statistical aspects of FIVIMS.

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established by the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 41/63) on the recommendation of the Sixth FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Far East (1962). The Commission title was changed from "Asia and Far East" to "Asia and Pacific" by the Eighty-second Session of the Council in 1982.

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region and advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistics within the general framework of FAO's work in the field, and to convene working parties or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

September/October 1966.

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Asia and Pacific Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Regions (see Report of Forty-seventh Council Session, Paragraph 191). Membership shall comprise such eligible Nations as have notified the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present membership is:

English and also French if a French-speaking Member Nation advises of its intention to participate.

General Rules of the Organization.

1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996.

The main activities of the Commission were the Sixteenth Session of APCAS in Japan, October 1996; the preparation of a Trust Fund regional project on agricultural statistics to support APCAS developing Member Nations; the contributions to the Programme for the World Census of Agriculture 2000, including the development of a Supplement on Aquaculture and the conduct of two sub-regional training sessions; and a sub-regional Workshop on Data for Food Security in an Integrated System of Agricultural Statistics, (Cambodia, July 1996).

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Established as a Study Group on Problems of Methodology and Definitions in Agricultural Statistics in Eastern and Western Countries, following the recommendations of the ECE Committee on Agricultural Problems at its Eleventh Session (1959) and the suggestion of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) at its Seventh Session. The title was changed to that above by CES at its Twelfth Session (1964). The activities of the Group are carried out jointly by the Agricultural Division of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the Secretariat of CES and the Statistics Division of FAO, with the latter providing the main technical secretariat.

To review the state of food and agriculture statistics in Europe, to advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistical services, and to convene expert groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

May 1960.

Member Nations of UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and of the FAO European Region.

English, French, Russian.

General Rules of the Organization.

1960, 1962, 1963, 1965 (twice), 1966, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995.

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

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Established as Sub-Committee of COINS on Agricultural Statistics by the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Statistical Institute (IASI) at its Twenty-fourth Session (1964) and formally approved by the Committee on Improvement of National Statistics (COINS) at its Eighth Session (1964). The title was changed to that above by the Conferencia de Estad�sticos Gubernamentales de las Americas (CEGA) at its First Session (1983), CEGA being the organization which replaced COINS since 1981. In 1995, IASI withdrew from the Working Group and was replaced by the Organization of American States (OEA) and the Inter-American Institute for Aquaculture (IICA).

To review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region, to advise Member Nations on the development and standardization of agricultural statistical services and to convene study groups or other Subsidiary Bodies of national experts required for this purpose.

November 1964.

The membership is not permanent as Members are usually selected for one session. Membership consists of three representatives from American countries nominated jointly by FAO/OEA/IICA. In addition, representatives of FAO/OEA/IICA are ex-officio Members of the Working Group. The number of Members may be increased depending on the specific subject matter under discussion. Observers: National Statistical Officers, ECLA, CAIS, Inter-American Committee for Agricultural Development (CIDA), Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Science, Pan American Union (PAU). The Secretariat of this Working Group is Joint FAO/OEA/IICA. The reports of the Working Group are joint FAO/OEA/IICA publications.

English, Spanish.

General Rules of the Organization.

1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1993, 1995.

The Working Group organized the first national demonstration centre on agricultural surveys based on multiple-frame sampling methods in Costa Rica in October 1996.