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| February 1998
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| February 1998
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1. Official Ceremony
2. Election of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Appointment of Rapporteur: for decision
3. Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable: for decision (ERC/98/1 and ERC/98/INF/2)
4. Statement by the Director-General (ERC/98/INF/4)
5. Country Statements and General Debate on the Food and Agriculture Situation in the Region
6. Follow-up to the World Food Summit: for discussion and/or information (ERC/98/3)
The countries of the Region may wish to report on measures taken or envisaged in their respective national plans of action to give effect to the World Food Summit Plan of Action. Particular attention will be given to the situation of Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs) in the Region and special initiatives such as the Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS) and the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES).
7. Changes in Food and Agricultural Commodity Consumption patterns in the
Region:
the Role of the Consumer vis-à-vis the Producer - Towards a Common
Approach to Quality: for discussion (ERC/98/4) The main issues arising from
changing consumer patterns in the Region would be discussed along with resulting
challenges for producers. The debate would focus on the role of the consumer and
analysis for scientific and ethical aspects of quality and production of food
and agricultural commodities.
8. The Uses and Benefits of Soil Information : for discussion (ERC/98/5)
The soil is a natural resource, not renewable in the short term and very expensive to reclaim or improve once it is physically degraded or chemically depleted. There is wide-spread evidence that soil losses from degradation undermine significantly the productive function of the soil and pose a threat to food security in the Region. Poorly managed high-input farming practices may cause a second generation of environmental problems. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, inadequate nutrient and animal waste containment and uncontrolled industrial development result in pollution of soil and water resources, not only causing health hazards, but also leading to loss of biodiversity and contamination of surface waters. FAO has embarked, in cooperation with the EU European Soils Bureau and other European institutes and research centres, in the implementation of a project data harmonization on land vulnerability to degradation and soil pollution, which when completed would allow a systematic approach towards successfully facing land degradation problems in the Region.
9. Report on FAO Activities in the Region 1996-97: for discussion (ERC/98/2)
The document on this item will comprise a detailed report on FAO activities in the Region, particularly in the LIFDCs, and on the related role of the regional and sub-regional offices. The document will provide information on the activities of the Statutory Bodies concerning directly the European Region.
10. Representation of the Region on the CGIAR : for decision (ERC/98/6)
11. Presentation of WAICENT Services with Special Focus on Plant and Animal Genetic Resources in the European Region : for information.
12. Date, Place and Main Theme of the Twenty-second FAO Regional Conference for Europe (The Standard Memorandum of Responsibilities will be provided to Member Nations expressing the wish to host the Regional Conference)
13. Any other business
14. Adoption of the Report
15. Closure of the Conference
