1. As the Secretariat did not receive a report on this network, it drafted this note from information on network activities compiled since the last session in Larnaca and from the proceedings of the informal meeting of the research networks’ coordinators held in Cairo (Egypt, 25-27/12/96). The Secretariat usually organizes such meetings every second year, in between regular sessions of the Committee to review activities, examine solutions to problems and find ways and means of boosting research activities for the future. Unfortunately, Prof. Ciancio, Coordinator of the Silva Mediterranea research network on "Silviculture of species: Pinus pinea" was not able to attend the meeting in Cairo.

2. The stone pine (Pinus pinea) is important in Mediterranean agroforestry and its main product, the seed, is largely used in Mediterranean pastry and cooking and plays an important economic role. The programme of the research network "Silviculture of species: Pinus pinea.", which was approved by the Committee at its fifteenth session (Faro, Portugal, 1992), includes a series of research topics such as taxonomy, genetics, silviculture, wood and cone production, management, etc. At its last session (sixteenth session, 13-17 June 1994 in Larnaca, Cyprus) the Committee pointed out that the research network had completed the first phase of its work programme: surveys and review of documentation, and that the second phase should involve field activities. However, very few coordinated activities (if any) have been implemented within the framework of this network. Apart from country activities, the Secretariat is aware only of ad hoc international cooperation activities such as exchange of seeds and planting material, coordinated by Mr. Bruno Fady (INRA, France). Also to be mentioned is the important genetic selection and improvement trials presently conducted in Spain with the aim of enlarging the area devoted to stone pine seed production, improvement of harvesting methods and the quality of the seed.

3. A first attempt to produce this monograph was the important annotated bibliography which was distributed to the Committee at its fifteenth Session (Faro, Portugal, 1992). This work was developed further and included in a Pinus pinea monograph, the first draft of which was distributed to the Committee at its sixteenth Session (Larnaca, Cyprus, 1994). The final edition and publication of this important document should have taken place soon after, but the large number of comments and inputs received by the authors (the network Coordinator and his research assistant) led them to practically re-write this monograph. It was then translated into French (the original language being Italian) and FAO contracted a senior forester for the final editing. The Pinus pinea monograph should be published and distributed very soon.

4. Prof. Ciancio has actively managed the network until now. He has indicated that, due to his increased work load, he could not take on this task any longer. The Silva Mediterranea Scientific Advisor who represented Prof. Ciancio at the informal meeting of the research networks’ coordinators held in Cairo (Egypt, 25-27/12/96) suggested considering the possibility of entrusting the coordination of this network to Mr. Gabriel Catalan Bachiller, Director of the Forest Investigation Centre of Spain (INIA). Mr. Catalan Bachiller is the Silva Mediterranea National Coordinator for Spain and the Coordinator of the research sub-network on Pinus pinea nut improvement within the framework of the Inter-regional (REU/RNE) Cooperative research network on Nuts. This would offer an opportunity of strengthening the links between the two networks on Pinus pinea. Mr. Catalan Bachiller has already shown an interest in enhancing collaboration between the two networks.

5. In the framework of his research sub-network on Pinus pinea nut, Mr. Catalan Bachiller has already prepared a monograph on the "piñon" nut and is very knowledgeable on the subject. This monograph is now ready to be published; it deals mainly with seed production and genetic improvement regarding this aspect and will complete the Silva Mediterranea Pinus pinea monograph, which covers broader aspects of this species use and silviculture.

6. The Committee is invited to consider the above proposal in order to reactivate this network, include a specific programme and field activities. In doing this, it should be borne in mind that the Silva Mediterranea Pinus pinea research network has a much broader scope and integrates the research sub-network on Pinus pinea nut improvement. There will be no overlapping, but complementarity and synergy.