1. The TAC Chair, Dr. Donald Winkelmann, opened the meeting by welcoming the 11 TAC Members present and recognizing the five new ones, Drs. Usha Barwale Zehr (India), Alain de Janvry (France), Elias Fereres (Spain), Michael Cernea (Romania), and Maria Antonia Fernandez-Martinez (Cuba). Apology was conveyed on behalf of Dr. Cyrus Ndiritu. He also appreciated the presence of the Centre Directors General, Dr. Timothy Reeves, CIMMYT, Dr. Shawki Barghouti, ICRISAT, Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen, IFPRI, Dr. David Seckler, IIMI, Dr. Hank Fitzhugh, ILRI, Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin, IPGRI, Dr. Robert Havener, a.i., IRRI, and Dr. Stein Bie, ISNAR; Centre Board Chairs, Dr. Wally Falcon, CIMMYT and Dr. Roelof Rabbinge, IRRI; EPMR Panel Chairs, Dr. Graham Jenkins, CIMMYT, Dr. Samuel Paul. IFPRI, Dr. Bernard Tinker, IRRI, Mr. Timothy Roberts, Panel Chair, CGIAR Panel on Proprietary Science and Technology, and Dr. Sam Dryden, Chair, Private Sector Committee representing Dr. Richard Flavell, Panel Chair, CGIAR Panel on General Issues in Biotechnology; observers from France, Germany, South Africa, The Netherlands, USA, and staff of the TAC and CGIAR Secretariats.
2. Dr. Shawki Barghouti, Director General, ICRISAT, extended a warm welcome to the participants on behalf of the Centre hosting the meeting. He was pleased to note that TAC 74 would provide participants with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the state of the art of research at the Centre and the latest developments in response to the recommendations of the fourth EPMR conducted in 1997.
3. The TAC Chair stressed the importance of the meeting in view of the forthcoming MTM'98 in Brazil at which the two reports of the CGIAR panels in Biotechnology would be discussed. Accordingly, presentation of the two reports on biotechnology were scheduled in such a way as to enable all participants to make their contributions prior to departure.
4. The report of TAC 73 was adopted without amendments.
5. There were no matters arising from the TAC 73 report.
6. The agenda for TAC 74 was adopted without amendments.
7. The Executive Secretary of the CGIAR, Mr. Alexander von der Osten, reported on major developments in the CGIAR since ICW'97. Portugal had joined the System, increasing the number of Members to 57. Other positive developments included a 40% increase in Norway's contribution and confirmation that Italy will make a three-year financial contribution to the CGIAR. Mr. von der Osten reaffirmed the continuing importance of the CGIAR's membership campaign with a view to improving the System's financial status and thereby facilitating investment in agricultural, forestry, and fisheries research.
8. On partnership, the Executive Secretary elaborated on continuing collaboration with the NGO and Private Sector Committees. The latter had held a meeting at FAO in Rome, 9-11 March 1998, involving interaction with FAO and IPGRI. The five Regional FAO Conferences had provided useful occasions to develop stronger relationships with NARS especially in Africa, Central Asia, and the WANA region. During the Conferences, the CGIAR Regional Representatives were elected except for Europe.
9. Mr. von der Osten also briefed the meeting on the System's financial prospects. The funding trend was generally positive, with a consolidated budget for the CGIAR of US$ 320 million in 1997. During the 1998 and 1999 biennium the funding forecasts indicated that the CGIAR resource targets would be met, with resources of US$ 345 million in 1998 and an estimated US$ 367 million for 1999.
10. The Executive Secretary provided an overview of the agenda for MTM'98, Brasilia. TAC had three major roles to play with respect to the discussion of three EPMRs, the Research Agenda, and the positioning of biotechnology in the CGIAR. Issues of genetic resources continued to be publicized in the media. The recent release of protected plant varieties obtained directly from Centres, i.e., ICARDA and ICRISAT, as reported by RAFI, required that the CGIAR formulate a common position on genetic resources and intellectual property rights. Hence, the two TAC-commissioned reports on biotechnology were timely and would receive central attention at MTM'98. Mr. von der Osten appreciated both the technical and legal complexity of the issue. He appealed to TAC for its guidance and vision on where the CGIAR should position itself in the areas of biotechnology and intellectual property rights.
