[NOTE: For the extent of coverage afforded the Specialized Agencies in the Current Documents series, see the introductory note under Section I, Part II, American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, pp. 125-126.] THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION 59. ACTIVITIES OF THE FOOD OF THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION DURING 1961 (INCLUDING THE ELEVENTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE, ROME, NOVEMBER 4-24, 1961): Annual Report of the President (Kennedy) to the Congress on U.S. Participation in the U.N., Transmitted August 2, 1962 (Excerpt)1 The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) activities during the past year have been characterized by the development of new initiatives in fields where related programs were already underway. This 1U.S. Participation in the U.N.: Report by the President to the Congress for the Year 1961 (Department of State publication 7413), pp. 233–238. is a reflection of the fact that agricultural development is essentially a continuing process. As the Organization approaches the 20th anniversary of the Hot Springs Conference held at Hot Springs, Va., in 1943 (at which an Interim Commission to plan a permanent international Food and Agriculture Organization was established),2 new methods are being devised and applied for the improvement of agricultural production, distribution, and utilization. 3 5 1961 marked the beginning in the FAO, as well as in the U.N. General Assembly, of a World Food Program. This program was conceived by the U.S. Government as a part of its Food-for-Peace effort.* Also, 1961 marked the completion of the first full year of activities under the FAO's Freedom-From-Hunger Campaign. These and other programs are designed to marshal the world's food resources in the struggle against hunger. All should in turn contribute to the broad U.S. initiative for a Decade of Development through the U.N. system, in which FAO will undoubtedly play a substantial role. 6 Growth in membership and budget kept pace with program development during the period. Starting the year with a membership of 82 nations, the Organization increased to 99 with the return of Syria following its separation from the United Arab Republic, and the election at the 11th Conference in November, of the following 16 new members: Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Léopoldville), Dahomey, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Malagasy Republic, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rumania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Upper Volta. In 1961 British Guiana, Jamaica, Mauritius, and Tanganyika were elected to associate membership in FAO, joining the previous associate member the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Also, by Conference action in 1961, two of the five associate members-Jamaica and Tanganyika-were granted permission to be admitted to FAO upon attainment of independence and adherence to the FAO Constitution. FAO's regular budget increased from $21,536,850 for the 1961-62 biennium to $31,185,000 for 1962-63-an increase of $9,648,150. In addition to its regular program in 1961, FAO carried out projects under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (ETAP) costing $9,649,175, and will probably have a slightly higher allocation in 1962. Also FAO has undertaken to execute 65 U.N. Special Fund projects costing $46,456,800. These projects will be carried out over the next 2 to 4 or more years. See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1943, vol. I, pp. 820-850. 3 See U.N. General Assembly Res. 1496 (XV) of Oct. 27, 1960; text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, pp. 85-87. 'See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, p. 171, and footnote 3 thereto. World Food Program 8 The item attracting the most attention at the last FAO Conference held in November 1961, and probably the one involving the most important innovation by FAO during 1961, related to the setting up. of a multilateral program of assistance to developing countries, based on the utilization of surplus foods. This differs from the FAO Freedom-From-Hunger Campaign which is essentially a food production campaign. The World Food Program which emerged, on an experimental basis for 3 years, is the result of resolutions adopted by the U.N. General Assembly and the FAO Conference. 9 This program, to be undertaken jointly by FAO and the United Nations in cooperation with other organizations as appropriate, will be carried out under the guidance of a 20-country Intergovernmental Committee. Ten members-Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, the United Arab Republic, and the United States-were designated by the FAO Council immediately after the Conference; the balance-Australia, Colombia, Denmark, Morocco, Nigeria, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand, Uruguay, and Yugoslovia-were named by the Economic and Social Council at its December 1961 session. The program will utilize voluntary contributions of food, services (e.g., shipping), and funds, with a target figure of $100 million. The aim is to have one-third of the total in cash. Procedures and arrangements for the program will be developed by the February 1962 session of this Intergovernmental Committee and approved by concurrent sessions of the FAO Council and the U.N. Economic and Social Council in April 1962. Attention will be given to finding means to meet emergency food needs and emergencies inherent in chronic malnutrition. These means could include establishment of food reserves, assisting in preschool and school feeding and implementing pilot projects in which food aid can contribute to economic and social development. The program will be carried out by a joint FAO/UN administrative unit located in Rome. Projects undertaken, in response to requests from recipient countries, will be carried out in accord with the FAO principles of surplus disposal. Following the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee, a pledg ing conference will be convened jointly by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Director General of FAO. Freedom-From-Hunger Campaign The Freedom-From-Hunger Campaign, a 5-year program, launched by FAO in 1960,10 is primarily a food production campaign, with the For the proceedings of, resolutions and other measures adopted by the 11th session of the FAO Conference, see Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the 11th Session of the Conference, 4-24 November 1961. See also Official Report of the United States Delegation to the Eleventh Session of the FAO Conference, Rome, Italy, October 30-November 24, 1961 (mimeographed, Department of Agriculture). • Infra. 10 See footnote 5 above. accompanying goals of improving food distribution, nutrition, and general levels of living. One of the highlights of the Campaign will be the World Food Congress planned for 1963, probably to be held in the United States. Progress of the Campaign was discussed at the 11th session of the FAO Conference. Two problems were brought out: (1) the continued lack of active support among developing countries in creating structures that would develop useful projects and get them into the program; and (2) the lack of "hard core" financing to provide strength in headquarters leadership and broader publicity. The Conference, keeping in mind the current financial possibilities, budgeted $800,000 for the biennium 1962-63. Of this amount, $100,000 was to be allocated for the World Food Congress, leaving $350,000 per annum for actual campaign costs. Freedom-From-Hunger activities are being carried out in the United States by the Freedom-From-Hunger Committee established within the American Food for Peace Council.11 The committee has set up an "American Freedom From Hunger Foundation." This Foundation will give overall leadership within the United States in support of the Campaign. It will be legally empowered to carry out a wide variety of activities in the private sector on behalf of the campaign. World Seed Campaign When the World Seed Campaign began in 1957, the year 1961 was designated by FAO as the "World Seed Year." 12 However, since many countries in the developing regions of the world were not able to make as much progress as was needed for the permanent improvement of their present seed industry, and, since the tentative plans to hold a World Seed Congress in 1961 did not materialize, it was decided to conclude the World Seed Campaign early in 1962 with a Technical Meeting on Seed Production, Control and Distribution. The United States is taking an active part in the World Seed Campaign. A National Committee, under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture, worked in close cooperation with private seed research and trade groups. Another U.S. contribution was the USDA Yearbook for 1961, entitled Seeds. During the 11th FAO Conference the U.S. delegate presented to each of the other delegates, with an appropriate letter of transmittal, a copy of Seeds. Also a copy of this Yearbook was presented to one member of each delegation that participated in the Technical Committee on Agriculture. Fertilizers FAO published a study in 1961 which pointed up the role which fertilizers might play in the future development of critical food problem areas in Asia and the Far East. Questionnaires previously submitted to nine members in that area revealed that food needs would "For the establishment of the Council, see the White House announcement of May 6, 1961; text in the Department of State Bulletin, May 29, 1961, p. 829. See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, p. 176. increase three-fold over a 3-year period. The Conference requested the FAO Director General to study this problem and suggest actions which the Organization might take as a part of the Freedom-FromHunger Campaign to promote fertilizer production and increase imports under special arrangements, including grants, soft currencies, or easier terms. Fish Protein Certain programs were initiated by fishery technologists and economists for testing and promoting the use of fish protein concentrates; including fish meal and fish flour by humans. Under the umbrella of the Freedom-From-Hunger Campaign, FAO is seeking the active participation of WHO and UNICEF in these activities. FAO African Survey The Director General's report to the Conference on the FAO African Survey 13 highlighted the need for further information on African conditions as prerequisite for undertaking operations in the newly emerging countries of that continent. The African Survey was essentially a factfinding operation, calling for cooperation with the United Nations, the International Labor Organization, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the Economic Commission for Africa, in an integrated approach to improve rural living standards and agricultural production. The Conference resolution which evolved in recognition of the role to be played by other U.N. agencies invited FAO to assist in the coordination of technical assistance.14 Technical Assistance Activities The substance of FAO's technical assistance program falls in three areas: land and water use; plant production and protection; and animal production and disease control. Problems related to conservation and the improvement of the fertility of soil under cultivation in the less developed countries have received particular attention. FAO projects are also concerned with marketing and processing of agricultural products ranging from dates to rice and from fibers to meats, hides, and skins. Through 1961 FAO had been designated executing agency for 65 Special Fund projects, or more than a third of all projects initiated to date. When completed these projects will involve total Special Fund allocations of $46 million. A large percentage of the earlier projects approved either had their origin in or were directly related to activities carried out by FAO under ETAP. These projects, 38 of which were already underway at the end of 1961, will be carried out over the next 2 to 5 years. Other than short-term advisory services provided from time to time by its technical staff or by consultants at the request of governments, FAO has not in the past pursued technical assistance activities as 13 FAO doc. C 61/15. "FAO Conference Res. 6/61. |