CL 124/9 |
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Session |
Rome, 23-28 June 2003 |
REPORT OF THE SEVENTEENTH SESSION OF |
Rome, 31 March – 4 April 2003 |
II. REVIEW OF FAO'S PROGRAMME OF WORK IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR
III. FAO’S STRATEGY TOWARDS A FOOD CHAIN APPROACH FOR FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY
IV. A FRAMEWORK FOR GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
V. ENHANCING SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOODS
VI. AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION AND DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
APPENDIXES
A – Agenda
B – List of Documents
C – Countries and Organizations Represented at the Session
D – Statement by the Deputy Director-General
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1. The Seventeenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) (Rome, 31 March – 4 April 2003) was attended by representatives of 113 Members of the Committee, and by observers from four other Member Nations of FAO. Also participating were observers from one United Nations Member State, the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta, representatives of six United Nations specialized agencies and observers from six intergovernmental and 39 international non-governmental organizations having status with FAO, and from two institutes of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. The countries and organizations represented at the session are shown in Appendix C.
2. Mr David A. Harcharik, Deputy Director-General, made a statement on behalf of the Director-General, which is attached as Appendix D.
3. In accordance with Rule I of its Rules of Procedure, the Committee elected Mr Costa Ricky Mahalu of Tanzania as the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Hedwig Wögerbauer of Austria as the First Vice-Chairperson and Mr Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Ali Harbi of Sudan as the Second Vice-Chairperson.
4. The Committee also appointed the following members to the Drafting Committee: Australia, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Japan, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Turkey and the United States. Ms Lucy Tamlyn of the United States was appointed Chairperson of the Drafting Committee.
5. The Committee noted that several side events had been organized outside the plenary to inform delegates on activities and initiatives in food and agriculture. The Committee agreed to hear brief oral reports on all of the side events, under Item 10 - Other Business. With this modification, the Agenda and Timetable were adopted.
6. The Committee welcomed and gave its general approval to the document, which highlighted the main achievements of FAO programmes during the period under review. The Committee focussed its review on the programmes within its mandate, noting the important role of the food and agriculture sector in reducing food insecurity.
7. The Committee looked forward to improved future reporting within the context of the new results-based programming model, particularly with respect to impact and outcomes. This would better enable Members to assess FAO’s performance, and understand the linkages between FAO’s activities and achievements, and identified programme priorities.
8. Suggestions to improve the Programme Implementation Report in future included that the report take a longer-term perspective in reporting on achievements and outcomes, that there be a detailed analysis of which areas had greatest impact, that details on collaboration with NGOs and regional and country offices be included, and that the document cover difficulties encountered, lessons learned and actions needed, in order to facilitate prioritization of future activities.
9. The Committee expressed appreciation that work in the 2000-2001 biennium had focussed on Members’ priority issues. Particular reference was made to the important achievements of the international standard-setting bodies recognized by the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement): the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) and Codex Alimentarius. Members also expressed appreciation for work done on food safety issues, capacity building for World Trade Organization (WTO) trade negotiations, the completion of negotiations for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and continued work on the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS).
10. Other areas mentioned were the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), rural finance and micro banking initiatives, nutrition, statistics, research – including technical support to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) – and initiatives to implement research at the field level, and the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS).
11. The Committee supported the main thrusts of the Medium Term Plan 2004-09 (MTP) and welcomed the preliminary proposals on the Programme of Work and Budget 2004-05. The results-oriented approach was considered an improvement, while the inclusion of extra-budgetary resources in the budget tables provided for greater transparency. The Committee noted the increasing demands for FAO’s services, and the policy of budget restraint of many countries, hence the need for prioritization of programmes. The Committee called for a more active role by the Secretariat in guiding the membership in setting priorities. In this context, the Secretariat’s announcement that it would provide two budget scenarios for the Programme of Work and Budget 2004-05 was appreciated. It emphasized that the Strategic Framework and its linkage to the MTP were considered essential in providing a sound basis for priority setting. In an effort to assist in prioritization, some Members offered suggestions for low-priority activities, including the Ethics Programme. One country did not agree with this suggested low-priority.
12. The Committee stressed the importance of sustainable agricultural and rural development in contributing to reduction of hunger and the sustainable use of natural resources. Members also noted the formidable challenges now being faced, such as natural disasters and conflicts, HIV/AIDS, participation in international trade negotiations, difficulties in penetrating export markets, and climate change. They stressed that, while the responsibility for addressing these challenges lay with national governments, international collaboration and partnerships with other agencies, institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, are essential.
13. Members highlighted the need for capacity building at national and local levels in the application of, and compliance with, standards, to take advantage of opportunities presented for the development and use of modern technology, and in multilateral trade negotiations. They also emphasized capacity building in cross-cutting areas such as biotechnology and genetic resources, biodiversity, water, desertification, monitoring hunger, and access to information.
14. The Committee endorsed the priorities of the Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production and Support Systems. It strongly emphasized the importance of the work of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and its need for increased funding. It also emphasized the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedures. Concern was expressed that the preliminary budget proposals would be insufficient to support the business plan of the Bureau of IPPC and it was urged that this priority area be fully funded.
15. The Committee supported programmes to enhance small farmer livelihoods, rural finance, mechanization, investment support and marketing services, and agribusiness development, including strengthening handling, processing and marketing. In particular, it stressed that post harvest operations and access to markets were of high importance to many developing countries. The Committee highlighted the importance of food safety, while several Members also highlighted food quality in the context of food safety.
16. The Committee stressed the importance and centrality of water management and land and water quality improvement, and the need to give equal emphasis to soil and land resources in agricultural production. The importance of continued and enhanced efforts for the monitoring and progressive control of infectious animal diseases through the EMPRES - Livestock programme, in collaboration with OIE, was underlined. The Committee indicated the importance of work on transboundary animal diseases and the significant role being played by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division in this context. It was suggested that work on isotopes, for example to improve breeds, had not received the attention it deserved.
17. Some Members recognized that Regular Programme funding had not been allocated in the preliminary Programme of Work and Budget for the International Year of Rice (IYR) and appealed for extra-budgetary resources to support this event.
18. Concern was also raised that there was insufficient Regular Programme funding for the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture acting as the Interim Committee for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the Committee appealed for extra-budgetary resources to support this work.
19. Some Members indicated the importance of work on biotechnology and FAO’s role to be in the forefront of the international public debate on the benefits and risks of modern biotechnology. The Committee requested that FAO give science-based advice and guidance.
20. The Committee noted the important role of Major Programme 2.2 – Food and Agriculture Policy and Development in analysing the reasons for insufficient progress towards the World Food Summit targets. It stressed the need for greater participation of developing countries in the formulation of a rules-based food and agricultural trading system, and contributions to the goal of ensuring access of all to safe and nutritious food.
21. The Committee noted that the Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of Codex Alimentarius and other FAO and WHO Work on Food Standards had been reviewed by an extraordinary session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in February 2003, and strongly urged that FAO provide its share of the additional resources required for the recommendations to be implemented in full. It was suggested that a Second Global Forum of Food Regulators be convened in 2004 in a developing country, noting that such fora complement the standard-setting work of Codex.
22. The Committee emphasized the importance of capacity building in developing countries for WTO agricultural trade negotiations and called for extra-budgetary resources in support of those activities. The Committee called on the Secretariat to continue to provide policy and legal advice to Members regarding the relevant WTO agreements, and for the integration of developing countries into international markets, and so contribute to poverty reduction and improved food security.
23. The Committee reaffirmed that priority should be given to capacity building for strengthening national statistical systems and reaffirmed the continued importance of the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS).
24. The Committee supported the work on the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) and the information management tools for making information available, not only at national levels, but also to farmers directly, as appropriate.
25. The Committee noted the important role of the Organization in responding to emergency situations and called upon the Secretariat to examine closely the linkages between rehabilitation and development and, in collaboration with the World Food Programme, to improve the methodology for the assessment of food aid needs. Some Members stressed that these assessments should be proportionate and not harm local production and markets.
26. While the need to prepare for the mandated mid-term review of progress towards World Food Summit Targets in 2006 was noted, some Members indicated that there was limited capacity in developing countries to collect the necessary information, and emphasized the need for capacity building in this regard.
27. The Committee indicated the priorities of Major Programme 2.5: Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts, specifically FAO’s work on HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a leading factor in declining agricultural productivity in some developing countries, particularly having impact on women. The Committee stressed the need for FAO to continue to keep the HIV/AIDS pandemic in its Work Programme, realizing that it may require a different approach to agricultural development in affected countries.
28. Support was also given to FAO’s work on gender and development and to agricultural research, with particular reference to FAO’s collaboration with CGIAR.
29. The Committee also supported FAO’s activities in environmental and natural resource data-collection and dissemination, and activities related to the impact of climate change on agriculture and biodiversity.
30. The Committee considered the draft strategy document, which was intended to be a basis to initiate a discussion towards the elaboration of a framework for an FAO strategy outlining actions to be taken that would enable countries to ensure access to safe and nutritious food.
31. The Committee generally acknowledged the importance of a food chain approach to food safety. In this context, some Members recognized the important role and responsibility of the agrofood sector in ensuring the safety of food. However, different views were expressed on the scope of a food chain approach and the draft strategy.
32. Members agreed that a food chain approach should include key elements such as the use of science-based risk assessment and cost-effective measures for hazard prevention. Some Members emphasized that any framework should include the precautionary principle and ethical aspects. Other Members expressed opposition to this during the debate and concern about the introduction of a prudent approach. Members considered that any framework should also emphasize capacity building and technical assistance, especially for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, which were not sufficiently addressed and assessed in the present document. Members advised that any framework should focus on food safety. Several Members emphasized that any framework should not include quality aspects.
33. Members acknowledged the work done by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in developing food safety standards and guidelines. They stressed that any framework document should not duplicate Codex work, but rather be based on, and complement, Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations. They further requested that the terms and concepts used in the framework document be further clarified and made fully consistent with the consensus reached in Codex.
34. Several Members expressed concern that the need for implementing a food chain approach to food safety, as presented in the present document, could imply additional costs and needs for adjustment, which could constitute barriers to integrating their food and agricultural sectors and, in particular, their small producers, into domestic and international markets. The Committee emphasized that any framework must take into consideration the specific conditions of, and cost implications for, developing countries, where small-scale economic activities predominate. A step-by-step and sequential approach to implementation in developing countries and countries with economies in transition should be adopted as part of any framework. The Committee stressed the need for technical assistance and capacity building in those groups of countries, including assistance in the development of relevant guidelines and recommendations.
35. The Committee generally supported FAO’s endeavour to address a food chain approach to food safety. However, many Members found that document COAG/2003/5 did not fully and adequately address the request of the 28th Session of the Committee on World Food Security. The Committee requested that the draft framework document be revised and further improved in line with the guidance provided and be resubmitted for consideration at the Eighteenth Session of COAG. In light of this guidance, a few Members felt that proposed budget allocations for this work would need to be reviewed.
36. The Committee welcomed the document, which builds on the existing activities in this area by governments, civil society, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and international partners. The Committee appreciated that a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) approach was relevant for capturing and sharing lessons learned on sustainable agriculture systems, through a multi-stakeholder process. The Committee acknowledged that a GAP approach may be a way to address goals of sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) through technical, voluntary, and non-regulatory practices. The Committee emphasized that a GAP approach should not create new barriers to trade and thus undermine poverty alleviation efforts, but be consistent with the existing regulatory instruments, such as Codex, IPPC and OIE.
37. The Committee noted that a GAP approach would need to take into consideration different commodities, production systems, agro-ecosystems, and the scale and resources of farmers as well, as no one solution fits all producers and agricultural enterprises. Concerns were raised that local application of GAP should not place undue financial demands on resource-poor producers and consumers.
38. Some members expressed support that a GAP approach should address social, cultural and economic demands of society. Others expressed reservation about the relevance and inclusion of social, cultural and landscape demands of society, as part of a GAP approach. Some Members recognized that the organic agriculture approach, among others, is an important part of the wider spectrum of GAP. The Committee also noted that cooperation among diverse stakeholders, at local and national levels, should be encouraged for effective policy and programme design, and its implementation.
39. The Committee recommended that FAO continue its initial work on a GAP approach, within existing programmes, specifically the Programme Area for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIA) on Integrated Production Systems, noting that the components identified in the Annex, "Good Agricultural Practices for Selected Agricultural Components" needed further refinement. Possible elements in this work might include awareness-raising, information exchange, economic analysis, pilot projects, technical assistance and capacity building, with a special focus on the needs of developing countries.
40. The Committee observed with approval that FAO had engaged in promoting dialogue among the diverse stakeholders (governments, private sector, civil society, producer organizations and NGOs) to ensure mutual benefits for all elements of society and achieve SARD goals. It encouraged FAO to continue this process.
41. The Committee recommended that a review on development of GAP activities, based on the guidance provided, be considered at the Eighteenth Session of COAG, as an element of the standing agenda item on SARD.
42. The Committee welcomed the paper as a basis for continuing work on issues affecting rural livelihoods. It recognized the need to strengthen the livelihoods of the rural poor and the importance of practical measures to achieve this effectively.
43. The Committee encouraged FAO to support capacity building of rural people and grassroots organizations to enhance their self-reliance, represent communities’ aspirations in policy fora, and mobilize local resources so they have ownership of their own development. The Committee also welcomed assistance in rural institution-building, particularly with regard to decentralized services.
44. The Committee recognized that agriculture played a key role in any strategy for rural livelihoods, emphasizing the crucial need to stimulate farm and non-farm rural employment strategies to promote economic growth and social development, especially for women. Attention should be given to improving the entrepreneurial skills of farmers, promoting small businesses, developing rural infrastructure, strengthening the capacities and functions of local organizations and increasing value-added through agro-processing, storage and marketing. Emphasis was also given to improving extension services closely linked to agricultural research and involving the active participation of farmers’ organizations. It was stressed that land access and secure land titles - especially for indigenous people and women - and migration should be addressed. It recognized the role of trade in promoting food security and sustainable rural livelihoods.
45. The Committee agreed that FAO should continue to support the development of sustainable rural livelihoods by concentrating on areas of FAO’s comparative advantage, including policy advice, capacity building and technical assistance complementing the work of other organizations. It suggested that FAO should foster partnerships between the public and private sectors and civil society at the international level as well as within regions and countries. Members stressed the importance of increased collaboration with NGOs and CSOs.
46. The Committee requested FAO to identify and document specific examples where applications of the rural livelihoods approach had led to success in reducing rural poverty.
47. Several Members expressed appreciation of the SPFS and called for greater integration of livelihoods approaches and ownership by rural people, and greater focus on household food security, in the SPFS, in line with the conclusions of the recent independent evaluation. They also called for a closer integration between the SPFS and national agricultural and rural development policies and strategies.
48. The Committee appreciated the comprehensive document on FAO’s long-standing involvement in developing and using agri-environmental information systems and decision-support tools. The Committee noted the large number of analytical tools and database products that had been produced for a wide variety of purposes aimed at sustainable agriculture.
49. The Committee recognized the essential requirement that agri-environmental data be useful at local level and that, in many cases, such data were also relevant for assessments at the regional and global levels in order to understand biodiversity conservation and climate change issues.
50. The Committee agreed that FAO should continue to provide a forum for national measurement methodologies without creating international protocols or standards. The promotion and use of common metadata standards was considered to be an important component of information systems and decision-support tools. The Committee called for continued capacity building in the developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in order to more fully exploit the benefits of agri-environmental information technology; this should continue to be closely linked with ongoing field projects and activities.
51. The Committee endorsed the proposal that the Secretariat intensify its efforts, within existing resources, to transfer agri-environmental information systems and decision-support tools to developing countries, to work toward formalizing its cooperation with other regional and global data institutions, and to strengthen partnerships between data providers and data users at the national and international levels.
52. The Committee took note of the document which contained the report on the consultation process on the issues of Biosecurity in food and agriculture and the conclusions of a Technical Consultation held in Bangkok in January 2003.
53. The Committee noted that, during the consultation process that had taken place since its last session, the concept of Biosecurity in food and agriculture had been used to cover sanitary, zoosanitary and phytosanitary regulatory issues as they relate to protection of food safety and animal and plant life and health. It noted, however, that the term needed further definition to clarify the concept.
54. The Committee agreed that no change in the international regulatory frameworks was warranted, and reaffirmed the role of Codex Alimentarius, IPPC, and OIE, as the primary international standard setting bodies for food and agriculture. It emphasized that cooperation among these standard setting bodies should be promoted, and recognized that these bodies were responsible for such cooperation.
55. The Committee recognized FAO's important role in capacity building in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It recognized the need for a common approach to capacity building among various sectors involved in Biosecurity at national level to ensure that optimal use was made of synergies among sectors, without providing a single blueprint for what infrastructural arrangements governments might wish to make. Such capacity building should be based on the work of the relevant standard setting bodies, and the Committee encouraged FAO to strengthen cooperation with them and other relevant organizations, in support of capacity building.
56. The Committee endorsed the concept and further work on the International Portal on Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health, in cooperation with the relevant international organizations. The Committee expressed its understanding that the Portal would include science-based information and data and/or decisions and guidelines of an intergovernmental nature, as well as any national official data and information. It urged the Secretariat to make full use of synergies among organizations and information systems in order to avoid overlapping and duplication. It requested that the Secretariat report on use, resource needs, costs and usefulness of the Portal at its next session.
57. The Committee noted with appreciation the seven side events that had been presented in conjunction with the Session. The events were: International NGO/CSO Planning Committee Forum on Agroecology; Status of the First Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources; SARD Initiative Stakeholder Design Consultation; Outcome of the 3rd World Water Forum; Bridging the Rural Digital Divide – information and communication in support of rural livelihoods; International Assessment of the Role of Agricultural Science and Technology in Reducing Hunger; and, FAO and Biotechnology.
58. The Committee noted that such side events, which had involved Members of FAO and of other organizations and non-governmental groups, as well as FAO staff, provided a welcome opportunity for delegates and stakeholders to discuss in a less formal setting a number of important topics and initiatives. It heard with appreciation oral reports on the outcome of the side events, and thanked their organizers. It encouraged the Organization to continue to provide a platform for such side events in conjunction with future meetings of COAG, while considering possible improvements in their scheduling.
59. Many Members and Observers commented on document COAG/2003/Inf.3. The importance of the topic, the role of improved diet in the prevention of chronic diseases, was acknowledged. The significance of recommendations based on sound science was stressed. Some Members expressed concern that some of the recommendations could have adverse impacts on small producers and the agricultural economies of developing countries. Also, some Members and some observers questioned the recommended levels of free sugar intake. It was agreed that Members of the Committee would meet as soon as possible, to review the Report of the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. The Committee noted that Members would be kept informed of the future actions taken by FAO on the matter.
60. Some Members requested that the Organization examine the possibility of combining the COAG and CCP meetings, in order to achieve efficiency savings and improved participation. The Committee asked the Secretariat to prepare a note on alternative arrangements for consideration at the Programme and Finance Committees, and at Council.
61. The Committee noted that its Eighteenth Session would be held at FAO Headquarters in Rome in approximately two years’ time, tentatively during early April 2005. The Director-General, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Committee, would determine the exact date, taking into account the overall meeting schedules of the Organization and other Rome-based agencies.
Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen
Adoption of Agenda and Timetable for the Session
REVIEW OF FAO’s PROGRAMME OF WORK IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Programme Implementation Report 2000-01
Planned Activities over the Period 2004-09 and Preliminary Information on the Programme of Work and Budget Proposals for 2004-05
SELECTED DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
FAO's Strategy Towards a Food Chain Approach for Food Safety and Quality
A Framework for Good Agricultural Practices
Enhancing Support for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods
Agri-Environmental Information and Decision Support Tools for Sustainable Development
Biosecurity in Food and Agriculture
OTHER MATTERS
Other Business
Date and Place of Next Session
REPORT
Adoption of the Report
COAG/2003/1 |
Provisional Annotated Agenda |
COAG/2003/2 |
Proposed Timetable |
COAG/2003/3 |
Programme Implementation Report 2000-01 |
COAG/2003/4a |
Medium Term Plan 2004-2009 |
COAG/2003/4b |
Preliminary Information on Programme of Work Proposals 2004-05 |
COAG/2003/4b-Corr.1 (English only) |
Preliminary Information on Programme of Work Proposals 2004-05 |
COAG/2003/5 |
FAO's Strategy for a Food Chain Approach to Food Safety and Quality: A framework document for the development of future strategic direction |
COAG/2003/6 |
Development of a Framework for Good Agricultural Practices |
COAG/2003/7 |
Enhancing Support for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods |
COAG/2003/8 |
Agri-Environmental Information and Decision Support Tools for Sustainable Development |
COAG/2003/9 |
Biosecurity in Food and Agriculture |
COAG/2003/INF/Series |
|
COAG/2003/Inf.1 |
Gender and Development Plan of Action |
COAG/2003/Inf.2 |
Follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) |
COAG/2003/Inf.3 |
Information Note on a Joint WHO/FAO Expert |
COAG/2003/Inf.4 |
Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Biotechnology |
COAG/2003/Inf.5 |
Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Food for the Cities |
COAG/2003/Inf.6 |
Report of the Priority Area for Inter-disciplinary Action on Organic Agriculture |
COAG/2003/Inf.7 |
Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate Change |
COAG/2003/Inf.8 |
Independent External Evaluation of the Special Programme for Food Security |
COAG/2003/Inf.9 |
Evaluation of the Animal Health Component of Programme 2.1.3 |
COAG/2003/Inf.10 |
Programme Evaluation of the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES): Desert Locust |
COAG/2003/Inf.11 |
Thematic Evaluation of Strategy A.3: Preparedness for, and effective and sustainable response to, Food and Agricultural Emergencies |
COAG/2003/Inf.12 |
List of Members of the Committee |
COAG/2003/Inf.13 |
Provisional List of Delegates and Observers |
COAG/2003/Inf.14 |
Statements of Competence and Voting Rights Submitted by the European Community (EC) and its Member States |
COAG/2003/Inf.15 |
Provisional List of Documents |
COAG/2003/Inf.16 |
Report on the Status of Signatures and Ratifications of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
COAG/2003/Inf.17 |
The International Year of Rice |
COAG/2003/Inf.18 |
Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of Codex Alimentarius and Other FAO and WHO Work on Food Standards |
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Afghanistan Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bangladesh Belgium Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Chile China Colombia Congo, Republic of Costa Rica Côte d’Ivoire Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic People’s
Democratic Republic
Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia |
European Community Finland France Gabon Germany Ghana Greece Guatemala Guinea Haiti Honduras Hungary India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. of Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kenya Korea, Republic of Kuwait Lebanon Lesotho Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Lithuania Madagascar Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Netherlands |
New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Tanzania, United Thailand The Former Yugoslav Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay Venezuela Viet Nam Zimbabwe |
OBSERVERS FROM FAO MEMBER NATIONS NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE | ||
Liberia |
San Marino |
United Arab Emirates |
Paraguay |
||
OBSERVERS FROM UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES | ||
Russian Federation |
Holy See |
Sovereign Order of Malta |
REPRESENTATIVES OF UNITED NATIONS SPECIALIZED AGENCIES | ||
International Atomic Energy Agency |
International Labour Organization |
United Nations Industrial |
International Fund for Agricultural Development |
Pan American Health Organization |
United Nations Secretariat |
OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
African Union |
Economic Community of Central African States |
League of Arab States |
Arab Organization for Agricultural Development |
International Office of Epizootics |
West Africa Economic and Monetary Union |
OBSERVERS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
Agriculture Paysannes et Modernisation |
International Catholic Rural Association |
International Union of Food, |
Associated Country Women of the World |
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage |
Liaison Committee of Development |
Caritas Internationalis |
International Committee for Animal Recording |
Movimiento Agroecológico de America Latina y Caribe |
International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies |
International Cooperative Alliance |
Pesticide Action Network |
Compassion in World Farming |
International Council of Women |
Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles de l' Afrique de l' Ouest |
Consorcio Latinoamericano Sobre Agroecología y Desarrollo |
International Federation of Agricultural Producers |
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative |
Crop Life International Federation |
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements |
Soroptimist International |
European Association for Animal Production |
International Fertilizer Industry Association |
The World Association for |
Genetic Resources Action International |
International Indian Treaty Council |
Third World Network |
Greenpeace International |
International Partners for Sustainable Agriculture - Humane Society of the United States |
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |
Industry Council for Development Services |
International Raiffeisen Union |
World Federation of Trade Unions |
Intermediate Technology Development Group |
International Society of Plant |
World Sugar Research Organisation |
International Association of Agricultural Economists |
International Union of Food Science and Technology |
World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations |
INSTITUTES OF THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH | ||
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research | ||
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute |
Chairperson, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to this Seventeenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG). Thank you for coming, especially those of you who have travelled great distances. No doubt some of you hesitated before committing to travel in these difficult times. I believe, though, that your presence here, and that of all participants, is a measure of your concern for the more than 800 million people who fight a daily war against hunger.
Mr. Chairperson, we have prepared an agenda for your meeting that will help you implement the commitments made at the many important international conferences that have taken place since you last met two years ago, in particular the World Food Summit: five years later and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Commitments alone, though, are not enough. You have a substantial challenge to accelerate progress to meet the target of halving, by 2015, the number of hungry and poor people, who primarily live in rural areas and depend almost entirely on agriculture and rural development for their livelihood. Concrete actions are needed, actions to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and the production of safe food - the challenge is to put all of our commitments and good intentions to work.
One of COAG’s main tasks is to review and provide advice on FAO’s programme of work in food and agriculture, which is designed to help meet the commitments and challenges in this sector. We attach great importance to your guidance on our programmes for agricultural production and support systems, food and agricultural policy development, and contributions to sustainable development. While the demand for FAO’s expertise and services in these areas is growing, the resources put at our disposal are not – a situation we have had to live with for a decade. The need, therefore, to set priorities is paramount, and we seek your advice on what our priorities in the food and agriculture sector should be over the coming two years and in the medium term. I would also hope that you would consider what you can do to ensure that this Organization has sufficient financial resources to meet its responsibilities in food and agriculture, as well as the other sectors in which we are active, such as fisheries and forestry.
I would like to draw your attention to the increasingly inter-disciplinary approach of our programme, which builds on your past recommendations in such areas as biotechnology, biodiversity, integrated production systems, organic agriculture, food for the cities, climate change and the role of gender in development. At this session, you will discuss how we can enhance our work in three emerging areas that can contribute to safe and sustainable food production and the attainment of food security.
As requested by the 28th Session of the Committee on World Food Security in June of last year, we have placed before you a draft framework document for the strategic development of a food chain approach to food safety and safety-related quality issues. The adoption of such an approach can provide the mechanism to address food safety - through prevention at source and the monitoring of food products as they enter and move through the food chain – as well as environmental sustainability through good agricultural practices. This responds in part to world-wide consumer concern over the safety and sustainability of agricultural practices and products throughout the food chain – from farm to table. The development of a food chain approach has important implications for agricultural production and post-production practices, especially for small-scale farmers, and we seek your views on the best strategy for actions at national and international levels.
This session of COAG will continue the dialogue initiated in 2001 on biosecurity in food and agriculture - a strategic and integrated approach to risk analysis and management in food safety, animal and plant life and health, and the environment. FAO has recognised the growing importance of biosecurity, and the difficulties countries face in meeting new measures and requirements. A broad technical consultation held in January this year enumerated many recommendations, in particular on how to help countries make best use of existing services. We look forward to your consideration of these recommendations on this important topic and your views on FAO’s future role.
A safe and healthy food chain cannot exist without viable, resilient and food secure rural communities. The international view regarding solutions to the plight of rural communities has changed - and that change is being reflected within FAO. We know it is not just about increasing financial flows, but also about building the capacity of rural people to be self-reliant and to be active partners in the development process. A participatory approach to problem solving and policy making is one that includes many players and representatives of a range of sectors. The livelihoods approach, currently being used in much of FAO’s work including the SPFS, is geared to fostering equalities, reducing vulnerabilities, and building self-reliance of local communities. We ask your guidance on the way forward in implementing policies and programmes that enhance sustainable livelihoods.
Mr. Chairperson, before closing I should like to extend a special welcome to participants of Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations and recall their active participation in both the WFS:fyl and WSSD and their great dedication to combating world hunger.
The NGO/CSO Forum, coordinated by the International NGO/CSO Planning Committee and held in parallel with the WFS:fyl, addressed four major priority areas where governments and civil society can work more closely and effectively together to achieve food security. Proposed follow-up activities on one of these, family-based agroecological approaches to food production, will be presented at a lunchtime side event today.
And at WSSD, FAO launched, in partnership with civil society and participating governments, the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Initiative. This is a multi-stakeholder umbrella framework to support the transition to SARD and to strengthen participation in programme and policy development. You will have the opportunity to learn about progress on this initiative at a lunchtime side event on Tuesday.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, in concluding, let me recall why we are here: to help find ways to make good on the commitments to reduce the number of poor and hungry people – commitments to develop policies and take action on food and agricultural practices that can make a difference. I believe that progress on the issues before you this week can make a difference.
On this note, I wish you a constructive and successful meeting.
Thank you.
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1 COAG/2003/3; C 2003/8
2 COAG/2003/4a; CL 123/7; COAG/2003/4b
3 COAG/2003/5
4 COAG/2003/6
5 COAG/2003/7
6 COAG/2003/8
7 COAG/2003/9