MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE JOINT MEETING

At its Sixty second Session in 1999 the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) considered the mandate and operational procedures of its Intergovernmental Commodity Groups. The relevant paragraphs of the CCP report (CL116/6) are appended to this document. Among the conclusions of the CCP Session which may be of direct interest to the present Joint Meeting are:

• in paragraph 20 of the CCP report, the requirement that the work programmes of the IGGs should be developed taking account of the World Food Summit Plan of Action. A preliminary assessment on the food security implications of jute production in Bangladesh was considered by the Joint Meeting of these two IGGs in 1998. Further work which has since been undertaken on the relationship between fibre production and food security, has been reviewed in the Natural Fibres Forum prior to the Joint Meeting. The Meeting may wish to review the thrust of this work, and make recommendations relating to the groups' future work programmes.
  
  
• in paragraph 24, the endorsement of the convening of joint meetings and the holding of ad hoc conferences. The Meeting may wish to reflect on the experience of its own conference and joint meeting;
  
  
• in paragraph 25, the endorsement of cost-saving operational procedures, including the adoption of task-oriented methods of work and, on a trial basis, the preparation of the Meeting's report by the Secretariat. The Meeting may wish to report its experience in this regard to the next session of the CCP.

APPENDIX

EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE SIXTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY PROBLEMS (CCP)

Rome, 12-15 January 1999

b) Mandate and operational procedures of the Intergovernmental Commodity Groups

18. In line with the recommendations of its 61st Session and taking into account the conclusions and guidelines of the Council and Conference regarding the review of all statutory bodies, the Committee examined the role and functioning of its IGG system. Document CCP 99/10 was provided to assist the Committee in this task.

19. As called for by the 29th Conference, the Committee abolished its statutory bodies listed in Annex B of Conference Resolution 97/13 (as specified in paragraphs 53 and 54 of document CCP 99/10).

20. In reviewing the mandate and operational procedures of the IGGs, the Committee generally agreed that the IGGs fulfilled a useful role in a flexible and cost effective manner, particularly in recent years following the implementation of measures to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Many delegations underlined that the work programs of the IGGs should be developed taking full account of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, giving priority to economic and trade issues, policy advice as well as measures aimed at poverty alleviation, enhancing productivity, encouraging sustainable use of technology and promoting food security. Some delegates expressed reservations about whether the system of IGGs was the most effective mechanism for undertaking the current functions of the Groups as they had evolved over time, and stressed that a more analytical review was needed to determine their value under changing international trading conditions and disciplines.

21. The Committee noted that the IGGs covered commodities which accounted for a large proportion of the value of world agricultural trade, but that the share had slightly decreased over the past decades. With a view to enhancing the relevance of IGG activities, many delegates supported the extension of the mandate of selected IGGs to include important related commodities, value-added products as well as commodities of importance for food security considerations in the case where no other international forum existed to deal with these items. As regards specific commodities for which coverage was considered desirable, particular mention was made of the importance for food security and poverty alleviation such that cassava, yams and sweet potatoes could constitute a Sub-Group and plantains could be attached to the Sub-Group on Bananas. Reference was also made to the importance in international trade of dairy products. The Committee considered that any suggestions made by individual IGGs for the extension of their mandates would be considered, in accordance with normal procedures by the CCP, along with information regarding any resource implications of such actions. One delegate further opposed any proposals to extend the mandate of the IGGs until such a review was carried out.

22. The Committee noted the request of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) that a number of "orphan" commodities, including dairy products, cut flowers and cashew nuts, be adopted by the IGGs to the degree possible in order to allow commodity development work to be undertaken in accordance with the Fund's procedures. The Committee requested its IGGs to examine this request taking into account certain criteria. These include trade value and/or the contribution of these commodities to food security particularly for least developed countries as well as their relationship to the other commodities covered by the Group. The IGGs were requested to report the next session of the CCP on this matter. The question of the role of the CCP as a possible International Commodity Body (ICB) was raised, but the Committee considered that more background work was required before this issue could be considered. The Committee was informed that the Sub-Group on Tropical Fruits had been given ICB status by the CFC.

23. In reviewing possible overlap of the IGGs with the work of other organizations, the Committee expressed satisfaction that little or no duplication existed, even in the case where parallel commodity bodies existed, for example in the case of the IGG on Grains and of the IGG on Rice. The Committee stressed the need to continue to rationalize arrangements to deal with commodity issues in the light of evolving institutional conditions.

24. In considering the functions of the IGGs, various suggestions were made to enhance this work through direct and closer collaboration with member countries, which could include meetings away from headquarters on a selective basis and strengthening the participation of the private sector. The Committee endorsed the convening of joint meetings of related IGGs to deal with thematic issues of common concern. It also requested that efforts be made to organize on a trial basis one or more ad hoc conferences dealing with related commodities of importance in world agricultural production and trade, bearing in mind that such conferences would be in lieu of the regular IGG sessions scheduled for a biennium.

25. The Committee expressed its satisfaction as the savings which had been achieved in the budgets of IGG sessions and requested that operational procedures which had led to these savings be maintained. With a view to achieving further economies, the Committee endorsed the proposals contained in paragraphs 60 to 64 of document CCP 99/10.¹

26. The Committee agreed to review at its next session the functioning of its IGGs, including the adaptation of their work programs to the World Food Summit Plan of Action, their role under changing international trading conditions and disciplines, and modifications in their operational procedures and commodity coverage.

27. The Committee adopted the Terms of Reference of the IGG on Bananas and on Tropical Fruits as contained in document CCP 99/22 with some amendments. (Annex D). The Committee expressed appreciation of the offer of the Government of Australia to host the First Session of the Intergovernmental Group in cooperation with the Australian Banana Growers' Council in May 1999.

_______________________

¹ 60. To avoid a chronological pattern of meetings with an unnecessary proliferation of routine sessions, all IGGs should carefully consider the timing of their future sessions so as to suspend activities when there is no pressure of events to meet.

61. In the case of suspension of activities, or extensions of the periods between sessions, those IGGs which have certain decisional responsibilities (for example, as International Commodity Bodies vis-�-vis the Common Fund), should ensure that adequate arrangements are in place to allow them to carry out the necessary functions. Such arrangements could involve decision-making by the bureau of the IGG, in consultation where necessary with other members.

62. All IGGs should to the extent possible and bearing in mind the market situation of individual commodities, adopt task-oriented methods of work. In particular, they should focus on substantive and technical issues, while situation and outlook materials should be tabled for information purposes and also given the widest possible dissemination, including electronically.

63. On a trial basis and for selected IGGs to be determined in consultation with their Chairpersons, the final report of the session recording recommendations and major conclusions will be prepared by the Secretariat or a Rapporteur and despatched to participants within two weeks. The Secretariat should report on the results of this trial to the 63^rd Session of the CCP.

64. All cost-reduction measures which have been implemented should be continued, both as regards direct meeting costs and documentation.