CL 116/INF/16

Council

Hundred and Sixteenth Session

Rome, 14-19 June 1999

FINAL REPORT
ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 13/97:
REVIEW OF FAO STATUTORY BODIES

1. In September 1998, the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees took note of the first Progress Report on the Implementation of Conference Resolution 13/97 on the Review of FAO Statutory Bodies and Panels of Experts (copy attached for ease of reference) and urged that the Review be completed as soon as possible.

2. The present document provides the Final Report, including actions already reported to the Joint Meeting in September 1998¹. The Final Report includes:

ANNEX A -

Global and Regional Bodies included in Annex A and subsidiary bodies included in Annex B of Conference Resolution 13/97.

ANNEX B -

Actions taken by Parent Bodies that have met since the last Progress Report with regard to their subsidiary bodies. (When these bodies are maintainted by the Parent Body, they have been marked with an asterisk.).

ANNEX C -

Parent Bodies that have not met at the time of printing, dates of their scheduled meetings and expected decisions regarding abolition of subsidiary bodies.

ANNEX D -

Outcome of consultations with Organizations regarding
the proposed abolition of Joint Bodies in Annexes C and D of Resolution 13/97.

ANNEX A

GLOBAL AND REGIONAL BODIES INCLUDED IN ANNEX A AND SUBSIDIARY BODIES INCLUDED IN ANNEX B OF CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 13/97

GLOBAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Commission on Fertilizers (FERT)

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

FAO Olive Production Committee (OP)

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

FAO Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Panel of Experts on Improved Weed Management

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Panel of Experts on Agricultural Engineering

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

FAO Statistics Advisory Committee of Experts (SAC)

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Consultative Group on Tropical Forests Action Programme

Abolished by effect of Resolution 5/97. This body was established by the Council in 1993, but never held a meeting. No further action is therefore required.

FAO Advisory Committee on Forestry Education (ACFE)

Abolished by effect of Resolution 5/97. This Committee held its last meeting in 1996 and one third of the membership holds office until 1999. All members were sent letters on
25 June 1998 informing them of the Conference decision.

Codex Committee on Edible Ices

Abolished by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its Twenty-second session in 1997.

REGIONAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Committe on Forest Development in the Tropics (FDT)

This Committee held its last meeting in 1991. It has de facto been inactive since that date. No action is therefore required.

Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis

The Commission and two associate Panels of Experts were abolished by Resolution 5/97 and have evolved into the Programme on African Animal Trypanosomiasis (PAAT) which was given formal recognition by the Conference in the same Resolution. The first meeting of this Body was convened in Harare, Zimbabwe from 21-23 October 1998.

ACTION TAKEN

Regional Commission on Farm Management for Asia and the Far East

Abolished by effect of Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Regional Commission on Food Security for Asia and the Pacific

Abolished as per Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for South-West Atlantic (CARPAS)

Abolished as per Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Near East Regional Economic and Social Policy Commission (ESPC/NE)

Abolished as per Resolution 13/97. Members have been advised accordingly.

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Introduction of Exotic Species into Europe of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Fishing Gear Selectivity of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Crayfish of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Eel of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Aging of Coarse Fish of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Stocking of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Fishery Resources of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com I: Working Party on Brackish Water Fisheries & Aquaculture of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com. II: Working Party on the Influence of Fisheries Management Practices on Environment of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com II: Working Party on Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com II: Working Party on Fish Diseases & Withdrawal Period for Drugs of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

EXPERT COMMITTEES AND PANELS

ACTION TAKEN

Panel of Experts on Development Aspects of African Tryapanosomiasis Control Programme

Abolished as indicated in entry on Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis above.

Panel of Experts on Ecological/Technical Aspects of Programme for Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Related Development

Abolished as indicated in entry on Commission on African Animal Trypanosomiasis above.

Ad Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Statistics of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main Body, FIAC, was abolished.

Sub-Committee of Ad Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Statistics of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main Body, FIAC, was abolished.

Ad Hoc Working Party on Fertilizer Marketing and Credit of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main Body, FIAC, was abolished.

Technical Sub-Committee of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main Body, FIAC, was abolished.

Sub-Com III: Working Party on the Prevention & Control of Bird Predation of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com III: Working Party on Fish-Farm Effluents of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Sub-Com III: Working Party on Effects of Physical Modifications of Aquatic Habitat on Fish Population of the European Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC)

Abolished by EIFAC during its Twentieth Session (Algarve, Portugal, 22 June - 1 July 1998).

Working Party on Fisheries Statistics of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main body, CARPAS was abolished.

Ad Hoc Working Party on Fishery Economic Development in South-West Atlantic of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main body, CARPAS was abolished.

Working Party on Biological Research & Evaluation of Fisheries Resources of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for the Southwest Atlantic (CARPAS)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main body, CARPAS was abolished.

ACMRR/CARPAS Joint Working Party on Scientific Evaluation of State of Stocks in Southwest Atlantic

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main body, CARPAS was abolished.

ACTION TAKEN

Ad Hoc Working Party on Economics of Fertilizer Use of the FAO/Fertilizer Industry Advisory Committee of Experts (FIAC)

Abolished by Resolution 13/97, as the main Body, FIAC, was abolished.

Group on Registration Requirements of the Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements, Application Standards and Joint FAO/UNEP Group of Experts on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

Abolished through the Parent Body. The Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements and Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC) will continue.

Group on Pesticides Specifications of the Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements, Application Standards and Joint FAO/UNEP Group of Experts on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

Abolished through the Parent Body. The Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements and Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC) will continue.

Group on Application Standards of the Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements, Application Standards and Joint FAO/UNEP Group of Experts on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

Abolished through the Parent Body. The Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements and Application Standards and Prior Informed Consent (PIC) will continue.

IMO/FAO/Unesco - IOC/WMO/WHO/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP)

As this is an inter-agency consultative body, it is to be delisted as a Statutory Body.

Working Group on Impacts of Coastal Aquaculture (GESAMP)

This Working Group has been abolished.

Task Force on Integrated Coastal Area Development (GESAMP)

This Task Force has been abolished.

ANNEX B

ACTIONS TAKEN BY PARENT BODIES THAT HAVE MET SINCE THE LAST PROGRESS REPORT WITH REGARD TO THEIR SUBSIDIARY BODIES ²

GLOBAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Sub-Group on Rice Grading and Standardization of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:R)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Oilseeds, Oils and Fats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:OF)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Inter-governmental Group on Cocoa of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CC)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group on Cocoa Grading of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CC)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Advisory Working Party on Hard Fibre Research of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:HF)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Bananas of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:BA)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group of Exporters of Inter-governmental Group on Bananas of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:BA)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Steering Sub-Group of Inter-governmental Group on Citrus Fruit of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:CI)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Inter-governmental Group on Wine and Vine Products of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:WI)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group of Exporters of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group on Promotion of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

Sub-Group on Statistics of Inter-governmental Group on Tea of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP:TE)

Abolished by the Sixty-second Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (Rome, 12-15 January 1999).

REGIONAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Working Party on Aquaculture of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)

CIFA abolished this Working Party at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997).

Working Party on Stock Assessment of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)

CIFA abolished this Working Party at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997).

Working Party on Floodplain Fisheries of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)

CIFA abolished this Working Party at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997).

Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries of Lake Victoria (CIFA)

CIFA abolished this Working Party at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997).

Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries of Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)

CIFA abolished this Working Party at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997).

Sub-Committee for Protection and Development of Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone (CIFA) *

CIFA wished to retain this Sub-Committee
at its Tenth Session (Akosombo, Ghana,
24-27 November 1997). It agreed that members would provide financial and technical support to the budget and work of the Committee from national budgets.

Working Party on Wildlife Management and National Parks of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) *

The Twelfth Session of the Working Party (Dakar, Senegal, 9-11 April 1998) recommended (a) strengthening the wildlife and protected area conservation aspects of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission programme; (b) maintaining the Working Party while: (i) revising its mandate to include protected areas and the entire problem of conserving biological diversity within ecosystems; (ii) changing its name to Working Party on Wildlife and Protected Area Management; and (iii) promoting fund-raising to further exchange information and research activities between sessions. The Eleventh Session of AFWC (Dakar, Senegal,
14-17 April 1998) adopted the recommendations formulated by the Working Party.

Joint Working Party on Fish Technology and Marketing of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)

Abolished by APFIC at its Twenty-sixth Session (Beijing, China, 28-30 September 1998).

Working Party on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)

Abolished by APFIC at its Twenty-sixth Session (Beijing, China, 28-30 September 1998).

ACTION TAKEN

Working Party on Marine Fisheries of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)

Abolished by APFIC at its Twenty-sixth Session (Beijing, China, 28-30 September 1998).

Joint Working Party on Fishery Statistics and Economics of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)

Abolished by APFIC at its Twenty-sixth Session (Beijing, China, 28-30 November 1998).

Working Party on Fishery Resources of the Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL)

Abolished by the Eighth Session of COPESCAL
(Belem, Brazil, 11-14 August 1998).

Working Party on Fishery Technology of the Commission for Inland Fisheries for Latin America (COPESCAL)

Abolished by the Eighth Session of COPESCAL
(Belem, Brazil, 11-14 August 1998).

Working Party on Aquaculture of the Commission for Inland Fisheries for Latin America (COPESCAL)

Abolished by the Eighth Session of COPESCAL
(Belem, Brazil, 11-14 August 1998).

Committee on Forestry Research of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC)

Abolished by the Twelfth Session of LAFC (Havana, Cuba, 10-14 September 1998).

Working Party on Management of Mountain Watersheds of the European Forestry Commission (EFC) *

The Twenty-ninth Session of EFC (Lathi, Finland, 19-23 October 1998) decided to maintain the Working Party, and requested the Executive Committee to prepare proposals to review and update the Working party's mandate, and to ensure cooperation and synergies with others to avoid duplication of work.

Working Party on Fisheries Economics & Statistics of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Abolished by the Twenty-second Session of GFCM (October 1997).

Working Party on Artificial Reefs & Mariculture of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Abolished by the Twenty-second Session of GFCM (October 1997).

Working Party on Assessment of Marine Fishery Resources of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) *

The Seventh Session of this Working Party (Belize, December 1997) recommended that WECAFC consider altering its status at its next meeting (Ninth Session, St. Lucia, West Indies, July 1999) from an Article VI Body to an Article XIV Body to allow for more ad hoc financial and administrative support.

ACTION TAKEN

Working Party on Fishery Economics & Planning of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) *

The Second Session of this Working Party (Belize, December 1997) recommended that WECAFC consider altering its status at its next meeting (Ninth Session, St. Lucia, West Indies, July 1999) from an Article VI Body to an Article XIV Body to allow for more ad hoc financial and administrative support.

Sub-Committee on Management of Resources within Limits of National Jurisdiction of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)

Abolished by the Fourteenth Session
of CECAF (Nouakchott, Mauritania,
6-9 September 1998).

Sub-Committee on Fishery Development of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)

Abolished by the Fourteenth Session of CECAF (Nouakchott, Mauritania,
6-9 September 1998).

Working Party on Resources Evaluation of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)

Abolished by the Fourteenth Session of CECAF (Nouakchott, Mauritania,
6-9 September 1998).

Working Party on Fishery Statistics of the Fishery Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)

Abolished by the Fourteenth Session of CECAF (Nouakchott, Mauritania,
6-9 September 1998).

Research Group on the Standing Technical Committee of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD) *

EUFMD, fully funded by its 33 Members with its own operational budget of US $320,000, wishes to retain the Research Group that has provided technical guidance to the Commission since the mid-1950s. This is an active Commission carrying no financial implications for FAO with recommendations and information from its reports being very pertinent to FAO's work.

EXPERT COMMITTEES AND PANELS

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition (FAO/WHO/NU) *

While there have not been any formal meetings for some time, the Organization and WHO would prefer to retain this Committee on the list. There are continuing meetings of FAO/WHO Expert Groups on various topics, and the Expert Committee on Nutrition could still be used as a mechanism for formal discussions about joint work from time to time.

ANNEX C

PARENT BODIES THAT HAVE NOT MET AT THE TIME OF PRINTING, DATES OF THEIR SCHEDULED MEETINGS AND EXPECTED DECISIONS REGARDING ABOLITION OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES

GLOBAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Working Group of FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGFRA)

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture will discuss this question at its Eighth Session (Rome, 19-23 April 1999).

Sub-Committee on Programmes to Assist Developing Coastal States in Managing and Developing Fisheries in their Economic Zones (COFI:EEZ)

COFI will be requested to formally abolish this Body, which last met in 1976, at its Twenty-third Session (Rome, 15-19 February 1999).

COFI Sub-Committee on Fishery Education and Training (FET)

COFI will be requested to formally abolish this Body, which last met in 1973, at its Twenty-third Session (Rome, 15-19 February 1999).

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Sugars

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Processed Fruit and Vegetables

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Soups and Broths

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

Codex Committee on Vegetables Proteins

The Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 28 June -
3 July 1999) will take up this matter.

REGIONAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Commission for Management of Indian Ocean Tuna of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC)

The Fourteenth Session of IOFC (Rome,
17 February 1999) is expected to abolish this Body. With the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, this Body is now obsolete.

ANNEX D

OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS REGARDING
THE PROPOSED ABOLITION OF JOINT BODIES IN ANNEXES C AND D OF RESOLUTION 13/97

GLOBAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION TAKEN

Joint ECE(UN)/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of Quick Frozen Food

Abolished by the Forty-fifth Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (3-5 June 1998), subject to Confirmation by the Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1999.

Joint ECE(UN)/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of Fruit Juices

Abolished by the Forty-fifth Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (3-5 June 1998), subject to Confirmation by the Twenty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1999.

REGIONAL BODIES

COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Joint FAO/WHO/OAU Regional Food and Nutrition Commission for Africa (FAO/WHO/FNAC)

OAU and WHO have agreed to terminate this Body.

FAO/ECE Working Party on Economics of the Agri-Food Sector & Farm Management (ECA)

UN/ECE has agreed to terminate this Body.

FAO/ECE Working Party on Relations Between Agriculture & Environment (ECA)

UN/ECE has agreed to terminate this Body.

FAO/ECE/CES Study Group on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Europe *

The Organization, in consultation with UN/ECE and CES feels that this Study Group plays an important role in the development of food and agricultural statistics in Europe. The involvement of the CES in organizing the work of the Study Group keeps costs to FAO low and limited to its participation to the meetings and the preparation of background papers which would have to be prepared anyway. This is the most economic way for FAO to obtain reliable and commonly accepted agricultural statistical data in the European Region, and it would be advisable to maintain this mechanism with further economies sought in connection with FAO participation in its meetings.

EXPERT COMMITTEES AND PANELS

ACTION TAKEN

FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Integrated Pest Control

UNEP has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

Joint FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management

UNEP has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Nuclear Techniques in Soil Fertility, Irrigation and Crop Production Studies

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Radiation Preservation of Food

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Use of Isotope and Irradiation in Entomology and Related Fields

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Application of Mutations and Tracers in Modern Genetics for Plant Breeding

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on the Application of Nuclear Techniques in Animal Science

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/IAEA Panel of Experts on Isotope-aided Studies of Agrochemicals and Residues

IAEA has been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain its concurrence.

FAO/Unesco/ILO Joint Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education, Science and Training

Unesco and ILO have been contacted about this proposed abolition to obtain their concurrence.

RESOLUTION 13/97
"REVIEW OF FAO STATUTORY BODIES"
ADOPTED BY THE FAO CONFERENCE
ON 18 NOVEMBER 1997

RESOLUTION 13/97 ³

Review of FAO Statutory Bodies

THE CONFERENCE,

Conscious of the continuing need to enhance the efficiency of the Organization and its governance in a time of financial challenge, to eliminate Statutory Bodies that are obsolete, to ensure more flexible task-oriented and time-bound working arrangements for those that remain and to limit the creation of new Bodies to those that are strictly necessary,

Recognising the importance of moving towards increased self-financing for Statutory Bodies that have regional focus, and of enhancing the responsiveness of those bodies to the needs of their Members:

1. Decides to abolish the Bodies listed in Annex A to this Resolution;

2. Recommends to the parent Bodies concerned that their Subsidiary Bodies listed in Annex B be abolished and calls on those parent Bodies to take the necessary action unless they consider, taking into account the financial and programme implications, that there are overriding reasons for retaining any such Bodies in existence and to report to the Council through the Programme and Finance Committees on the actions taken and, where appropriate, on the reasons for retaining any of the Subsidiary Bodies recommended for abolition;

3. Requests the Director-General to consult with the organizations listed in Annex C with a view to securing alternative arrangements for, or the abolition of, the joint Bodies listed in that Annex as deemed appropriate and authorises their abolition, as appropriate;

4. Recommends to the Codex Alimentarius Commission that it continue its review of the usefulness of its Subsidiary Bodies set out in Annex D;

5. Encourages regional commissions established under Article VI of the Constitution to seek more extra-budgetary resources to supplement the resources made available to them under the FAO Regular Programme Budget, taking into account the economic capacity of the regions concerned and of their Members;

6. Calls on the Contracting Parties to Conventions and Agreements establishing regional bodies under Article XIV of the Constitution to seek where appropriate, increasingly to provide such Bodies with their own financial resources, whether through cooperative programmes or other voluntary contributions, or through the establishment of autonomous budgets financed from mandatory contributions;

7. Decides that in future, Statutory Bodies should be established only where strictly necessary and where the work to be undertaken cannot be carried out by ad hoc groups, and that the Terms of Reference of all new Bodies created should provide for a periodic review of their usefulness;

8. Further decides that, to this end, the following factors should be taken into account in establishing new technical Bodies and in the establishment of new Subsidiary Bodies:

Centrality to the FAO mandate and the Organization's current priorities as expressed by FAO Members and reflected in planning documents;
Clarity of the definition of the task, which should normally be of limited duration;
Positive impact of the Body's work at the level of FAO Members;
FAO's comparative advantage, thereby avoiding overlap and creating synergy with the work of other Bodies;
Proportion of the FAO Membership to which the work of the proposed body is of importance with due regard to the economic capacity of less-advantaged members, including least developed countries and small-island developing states;
Willingness of their Members to contribute financially and through non-monetary inputs to the work of the Body, especially where the Body will serve a more limited number of countries, with due regard to the economic capacity of their less advantaged members and the availability of other financial support;

9. Requests all Statutory Bodies to examine how their Rules of Procedure and working methods could be streamlined to facilitate positive inter-action among participants at meetings, to promote a task-orientation and to strengthen the involvement of civil-society partners;

10. Further requests the Secretariat to prepare information notes to facilitate review by the Council, following discussion in the Programme and Finance Committees, of (a) possibilities for streamlining procedures and avoiding repetitious discussion in Bodies at various levels, taking full account of the experience of other international organizations; and (b) modalities for greater civil society involvement;

11. Decides that, in general, Executive Committees should cease to be listed as formal Statutory Bodies in the Directory of FAO Statutory Bodies, except for the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

(Adopted on 18 November 1997)

ANNEX A

GLOBAL BODIES