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| Identifier: | 02ROME3093 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 02ROME3093 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Rome |
| Created: | 2002-06-24 15:18:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED |
| Tags: | AORC EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 003093
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, EAID, EAGR, FAO AORC, FAO AORC, FAO AORC, FAO AORC, FAO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
28TH SESSION
1. SUMMARY. THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION'S
COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (CFS) MET JUNE 6-9 AND
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03093 01 OF 05 241459Z
CONCLUDED NEGOTIATIONS ON THE DECLARATION FOR THE WORLD
FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER MEETING. THE UNITED STATES
ANNOUNCED IT WOULD ENTER A RESERVATION ON OPERATIVE PARA
10 OF THE DECLARATION WHICH CALLS FOR NEGOTIATION OF
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD. USDEL WAS
SUCCESSFUL IN ENSURING THAT THE FINAL DECLARATION
LANGUAGE CONTAINS STRONG REFERENCES TO INCREASING
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND SUPPORTING BIOTECHNOLOGY.
TRADE WAS A PARTICULARLY NEURALGIC ISSUE AT THE CFS, WITH
CRITICISMS OF THE U.S. FARM BILL HEARD FROM ALL REGIONS
AND THE EU SHOWING INCREASING INFLEXIBILITY ON NEGOTIATED
REFERENCES TO AGRICULTURAL TRADE. IN OTHER CFS BUSINESS,
MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE UN AND THE OECD SHOULD USE THE
SAME SET OF INDICATORS FOR THE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT
GOALS. THE CFS'S LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE IS UNLIKELY TO BE
IMPROVED BY ITS EXPECTED NEW RESPONSIBILITY TO OVERSEE
NEGOTIATIONS ON VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO
FOOD. END SUMMARY.
U.S. DELEGATION
---------------
2. ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 6-8, 2002, THE FAO'S
COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY (CFS) STARTED INFORMAL
DISCUSSIONS OF THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
(WFS5YL) DECLARATION ON JUNE 4 AND ONLY CONCLUDED ITS
WORK LATE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 9, LESS THAN HALF A DAY BEFORE
THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF THE WFS5YL. THE U.S. DELEGATION
WAS LED BY MARY CHAMBLISS, ACTING GENERAL SALES MANAGER,
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE, USDA. CAROLEE HEILEMAN,
ACTING PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, U.S. MISSION TO THE UN
AGENCIES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (FODAG) SERVED AS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03093 01 OF 05 241459Z
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE. ALSO ON THE DELEGATION WERE
FRANCESCA BRAVO AND RICHARD HUGHES, FAS; SETH WINNICK,
ROSE BERSTEIN, AND SARAH MORRISON, STATE/IO; RALPH
CUMMINGS, USAID; CHERYL CHRISTENSEN, USDA ECONOMIC
RESEARCH SERVICE; AND DAVID LAMBERT AND LUCY TAMLYN,
FODAG. THE DELEGATION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A PRIVATE
SECTOR ADVISOR, CHRISTINE VLADMIROFF, CO-CHAIR OF THE
FOOD SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL
INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON FOOD SECURITY.
CFS BUREAU
----------
3. MR. ADISAK SREESUNPAGIT (THAILAND) WAS ELECTED AS
CHAIR, WITH MR. NEHAD ABDEL LATIF (EGYPT); MR. MICHEL
THIBIER (FRANCE); MR. KYEONG KYU KIM (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
AND MR. MASIOHULA MBONOWA (SOUTH AFRICA) AS VICE-CHAIRS
FOR THE 2002-2003 BIENNIUM. CANADA REPRESENTED NORTH
AMERICA ON THE CFS DRAFTING COMMITTEE.
FS5YL PREPARATORY WORK
-----------------------
4. AS THE PREPARATORY BODY FOR THE WFS5YL, THE CFS
CONSIDERED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE WFS5YL ADOPT THE
DRAFT RULES OF PROCEDURE PROPOSED BY FAO AND THE DRAFT
WFS5YL DECLARATION NEGOTIATED IN PARALLEL SESSION BY AN
OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY OUTGOING CFS CHAIR
AIDAN O'DRISCOLL (IRELAND) AND AMBASSADOR MARY MUCHADA
(ZIMBABWE).
OVERVIEW OF THE WFS5YL DECLARATION
----------------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03093 01 OF 05 241459Z
5. THE DECLARATION RECOMMITS MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE ORIGINAL WORLD FOOD SUMMIT DECLARATION AND PLAN OF
ACTION. IT MAKES STRONG REFERENCES TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT;
THE NEED TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY; THE
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND SCIENCE-BASED
STANDARDS IN TRADE; THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL FEEDING
PROGRAMS; GENERATING RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT ACCORDING
TO THE MONTERREY CONSENSUS APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT; AND
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING
BIOTECHNOLOGY. IT ALSO REQUESTS THE FAO COUNCIL TO
ESTABLISH A TWO-YEAR INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO
ELABORATE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT MEMBER STATES'
EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE
RIGHT TO FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY,
AND REPORT TO THE CFS. NEGOTIATION OF THE DECLARATION
REQUIRED RESOLUTION OF A NUMBER OF CONTENTIOUS ISSUES.
THESE ARE DISCUSSED BELOW.
INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER
--------------------------------------------- -----------
6. THE G-77 SOUGHT TO TITLE THE DECLARATION
"INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER" AND GIVE THE FAO
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ6402
PAGE 01 ROME 03093 02 OF 05 241459Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 UTED-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 G-00 SAS-00
/006W
------------------C1ABE9 241459Z /38
R 241518Z JUN 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4415
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 003093
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
28TH SESSION
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE "FOCAL POINT" FOR THE
ALLIANCE. IT WAS AGREED TO TITLE THE DECLARATION
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03093 02 OF 05 241459Z
"INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER" BUT THE OPERATIVE
TEXT IN THE DECLARATION MAKES CLEAR THAT THE FAO IS NOT
BEING ASSIGNED NEW RESPONSIBILITIES OTHER THAN THOSE
ALREADY ASSIGNED TO THE CFS AS THE WFS PLAN OF ACTION
MONITORING BODY.
ODA LEVELS FOR AGRICULTURE
--------------------------
7. THE G-77 INITIALLY SOUGHT TO STIPULATE A FIXED
PERCENTAGE (20 PERCENT) TO BE ALLOCATED TO AGRICULTURE
FROM ODA. THE AGREED OUTCOME SUPPORTS ONLY AN "ADEQUATE
SHARE" TO BE GIVEN TO AGRICULTURE.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
-------------
8. THE EU AND NORWAY INITIALLY RESISTED U.S.-PROPOSED
LANGUAGE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY WHICH URGED THE FAO TO ADVANCE
RESEARCH INTO NEW TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING BIOTECHNOLOGY.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT NEGOTIATED WORDING (DRAWN LARGELY
FROM THE 2001 G-8 SUMMIT) FINALLY MET WITH BROAD
ACCEPTANCE, NORWAY ATTEMPTED AT THE LAST MINUTE TO INSERT
A REFERENCE TO THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE UNLESS THE
UNITED STATES WOULD ACCEPT THE RIGHT TO FOOD CODE OF
CONDUCT. THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE CHAIR, THE EU
(WHICH DID NOT SUPPORT A CODE) AND THE U.S. PREVAILED
OVER NORWAY AND THE BIOTECHNOLOGY LANGUAGE WENT FORWARD
WITHOUT A REFERENCE TO THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE.
CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD
------------------------------------
9. THE MAJOR NEGOTIATION IN THE DECLARATION HAD TO DO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03093 02 OF 05 241459Z
WITH THREE PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FOOD. THE
EU PROPOSED "VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES" TO BE NEGOTIATED UNDER
THE AUSPICES OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE NORWEGIANS PROPOSED NEGOTIATION OF A "CODE OF
CONDUCT" AT THE SAME VENUE. THE LATIN AMERICAN GROUP
SUPPORTED NEGOTIATION OF A "CODE OF CONDUCT," BUT UNDER
FAO AUSPICES. THE U.S. QUESTIONED WHETHER THE PROPOSED
PRODUCT - BE IT A CODE OF CONDUCT OR VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES
-- WAS A MEANINGFUL WAY TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY AND
REITERATED ITS POSITION THAT THE RIGHT TO FOOD SHOULD BE
UNDERSTOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RIGHT TO A STANDARD OF
LIVING ADEQUATE TO HEALTH AND WELL BEING, AS SET FORTH IN
THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
10. THE CODE ISSUE WAS THE LAST ONE TO BE RESOLVED, AND
CONSENSUS WAS ONLY REACHED (AFTER THREATS BY VENEZUELA
AND NORWAY TO TAKE THE MATTER TO THE WFS5YL PLENARY) LATE
IN THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 9. THE FINAL DECLARATION
REQUESTS THE FAO COUNCIL TO CREATE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL
GROUP TO "ELABORATE, IN A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, A SET OF
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT MEMBER STATES' EFFORTS TO
ACHIEVE THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO
ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY."
IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTITUTION OF VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES
FOR CODE OF CONDUCT, THE FOCUS OF THE GUIDELINES WILL
APPROPRIATELY BE ON NATIONAL (RATHER THAN INTERNATIONAL)
ACTION. IN ADDITION, USDEL WAS ALSO SUCCESSFUL IN WALKING
BACK THE PREAMBULAR LANGUAGE ON RIGHT TO FOOD TO READ
"RIGHT TO ACCESS TO FOOD." THE U.S. ANNOUNCED AT THE
CONCLUDING CFS PLENARY SESSION THAT IT WOULD SUBMIT A
RESERVATION TO THE DECLARATION IN CONNECTION WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03093 02 OF 05 241459Z
OPERATIVE PARA 10 ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD AND STATED THAT
THE UNITED STATES DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ELABORATION
OF SUCH GUIDELINES WOULD BE USEFUL IN REDUCING THE NUMBER
OF HUNGRY OR IMPOVERISHED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
TRADE
-----
11. TRADE LANGUAGE. THE EU (FRANCE IN PARTICULAR) AND
JAPAN STRONGLY OBJECTED TO ANY REFERENCE TO "AGRICULTURAL
TRADE" IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ROLE OF TRADE IN PROMOTING
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ALLEVIATING POVERTY. THESE
COUNTRIES SOUGHT INSTEAD A REFERENCE TO "TRADE" WITHOUT
ANY QUALIFIER. THE CAIRNS GROUP (PRIMARILY AUSTRALIA)
TOOK THE LEAD ON THIS ISSUE; U.S.-BROKERED LANGUAGE WAS
FINALLY AGREED THAT READ "INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
TRADE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, ALLEVIATING POVERTY AND ACHIEVING THE
OBJECTIVES OF THE WFS, IN PARTICULAR IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES."
MARINE MAMMALS
---------------
12. BRAZIL, THE U.S. AND NEW ZEALAND STRONGLY OBJECTED
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ6403
PAGE 01 ROME 03093 03 OF 05 241459Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 UTED-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 G-00 SAS-00
/006W
------------------C1ABF9 241459Z /38
R 241518Z JUN 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4416
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 003093
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
28TH SESSION
TO PROPOSED JAPANESE LANGUAGE ON WHALES ("SUSTAINABLE USE
OF MARINE LIVING RESOURCES BASED ON SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03093 03 OF 05 241459Z
BY RELEVANT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, PAYING DUE ATTENTION TO
RATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM AND PREVENTION OF
MARINE POLLUTION."). A CONSENSUS WAS FINALLY REACHED ON
USING LANGUAGE ON "SUSTAINABLE USE AND CONSERVATION OF
AQUATIC LIVING RESOURCES" WHICH IS LANGUAGE AGREED AT
FROM THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED FOURTH WSSD BALI PREPCONM IN
BALI.
REGULAR WORK OF THE CFS
-------------------------
13. THE CFS CONSIDERED AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT
OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY SITUATION AND A BIANNUAL
PROGRESS REPORT ON 1996 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT (WFS) FOLLOW-
UP, INCLUDING PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE DEVELOPMENT-
CENTERED COMMITMENTS OF THE WFS PLAN OF ACTION:
COMMITMENT THREE- SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT; COMMITMENT FOUR - TRADE; COMMITMENT SIX -
INVESTMENT AND COMMITMENT SEVEN - MONITORING AND FOLLOW-
UP. LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE 120 CFS MEMBER COUNTRIES
REPORTED BACK ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WFS COMMITMENTS.
THE CFS WILL REPORT THE GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF ITS 28TH SESSION TO THE FAO COUNCIL.
U.S. STATEMENT TO CFS
---------------------
14. THE UNITED STATES DELIVERED STATEMENTS ADDRESSING THE
TECHNICAL MERITS OF PAPERS PREPARED BY FAO AND PREVIEWING
U.S. PRIORITIES FOR CUTTING HUNGER TO BE INTRODUCED AT
THE WFS5YL: INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, ENDING
FAMINE, AND IMPROVING NUTRITION. THE U.S. STATEMENT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03093 03 OF 05 241459Z
EMPHASIZED U.S.COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING
RENEWED COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE AND TO FOOD SECURITY;
EXPANDED FUNDING FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND
BIOTECHNOLOGY; TRADE CAPACITY-BUILDING; DEBT RELIEF;
HIV/AIDS ASSISTANCE; PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE WOMEN'S STATUS
AND MAINSTREAM GENDER IN NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, POLICIES,
AND BUDGETS; INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING THE
GLOBAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION PILOT SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM;
AND THE MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT.
15. THE U.S. STATEMENT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED U.S. DOMESTIC
ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY, INCLUDING
CONTINUING TO INVEST IN A STRONG SAFETY NET, WORKING WITH
CHARITIES, BUSINESSES, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE UNITED
STATES SHARED HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE U.S. NATIONAL FOOD
SECURITY PROGRESS REPORT AND NOTED THAT THE U.S. IS ON
TRACK TO MEET ITS 2010 DOMESTIC FOOD SECURITY TARGET WITH
REDUCTIONS IN THE PREVALENCE OF BOTH FOOD INSECURITY AND
HUNGER AMONG AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS.
REPORT OF THE CFS - MILLENIUM SUMMIT GOAL INDICATORS
--------------------------------------------- --------
16. DUE TO THE PRESS OF TIME AND COMPETING NEGOTIATIONS,
DISCUSSION WAS TRUNCATED AT THE CFS AND THE NORMAL
THEMATIC DEBATE AND THE STANDING ITEM ON NUTRITION WERE
POSTPONED UNTIL THE 2003 SESSION. THE SECRETARIAT-
DRAFTED REPORT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE
AND ENDORSED BY MEMBERS, ALTHOUGH SOME PET ISSUES WERE
ADDED FROM THE FLOOR IN THE FINAL PLENARY SESSION.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03093 03 OF 05 241459Z
CFS REPORT: ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD FOOD SECURITY
SITUATION
--------------------------------------------- ----
17. THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE SLOW RATE OF DECLINE IN
THE NUMBER OF UNDERNOURISHED, PARTICULARLY IN AFRICA.
SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE PRECARIOUS FOOD
SITUATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. NEPAD RECEIVED SPECIAL
MENTION AS A PROGRAM ELABORATED BY AFRICAN COUNTRIES
THEMSELVES.
CFS REPORT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOVERNMENTS
-------------------------------
18. GOVERNMENTS WERE URGED TO: IMPROVE MONITORING OF
FOOD INSECURITY AND USE THE INFORMATION TO TARGET
VULNERABLE GROUPS; RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF WOMEN
IN FOOD SECURITY; COOPERATE IN COMBATING CROSS BORDER
ANIMAL AND PLANT DISEASE,; DEVELOP RELEVANT NATIONAL
POLICIES; RESPECT THE PRINCIPLE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO FOOD (COMMENT: AS
USDEL WAS NOT REPRESENTED ON THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE, THE
RIGHT TO FOOD LANGUAGE SHOWED UP IN THE FINAL REPORT.
AT U.S. REQUEST, CANADIAN REP SOUGHT TO REMOVE THE
REFERENCE TO RIGHT TO FOOD ON THE PLENARY FLOOR. WHEN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ6404
PAGE 01 ROME 03093 04 OF 05 241500Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 UTED-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 G-00 SAS-00
/006W
------------------C1AC01 241500Z /38
R 241518Z JUN 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4417
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 003093
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
28TH SESSION
THIS THREATENED TO DERAIL CONSENSUS ADOPTION OF THE
WFS5YL DECLARATION, CANADA (WITH U.S. ASSENT) DROPPED THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03093 04 OF 05 241500Z
REQUEST. END COMMENT.)
CFS REPORT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FAO - COORDINATE ON
MDG INDICATORS AND IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
--------------------------------------------- --
19. THE FAO WAS REQUESTED TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ENHANCE
COLLABORATION ON GLOBAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS WITH OTHER
RELEVANT AGENCIES; COLLABORATE AND COORDINATE WITH OTHER
UN BODIES AND THE OECD TO AGREE ON THE SAME SET OF
INDICATORS FOR THE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) WITH
SPECIAL ATTENTION PAID TO FAO'S MEASURE OF
UNDERNOURISHMENT AND WHO'S AND UNICEF'S MEASURES OF
UNDERWEIGHT AND MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AND CONTINUE TO
ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY AND
ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION.
20. THE FAO WAS ALSO REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A DRAFT
FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT TO ITS KEY TECHNICAL COMMITTEES FOR
FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY (COFI, COAG, AND
CFS) ON: 1) FAO'S STRATEGIES FOR POLICY ADVICE, CAPACITY
BUILDING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ENSURING ACCESS TO
SAFE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD; AND 2) CORRESPONDING
RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
LEVELS.
CFS REPORT: ISSUES ADDED FROM THE FLOOR
---------------------------------------
TRADE
-----
21. AT THE REQUEST OF THE EU, A CHAPEAU WAS ADDED BEFORE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03093 04 OF 05 241500Z
CFS REPORT LANGUAGE URGING GOVERNMENTS ON PROVIDING
MARKET ACCESS, REDUCING EXPORT SUBSIDIES AND PROVIDING
SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR LDCS. THE CHAPEAU
READS: "IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOHA MINISTERIAL
CONFERENCE, AND WITHOUT PREJUDGING THE OUTCOME OF THE
NEGOTIATIONS, ETC."
FOOD QUALITY
------------
22. AT THE REQUEST OF THE HUNGARIAN DELEGATE, THE REPORT
PUTS IN A PLUG FOR MORE REGIONAL FOOD SAFETY MEETINGS
ALONG THE LINES OF THE BUDAPEST FAO PAN-EUROPEAN FOOD
SAFETY AND QUALITY MEETING. THE NEW ZEALAND DELEGATE
EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE USE OF THE WORD
"QUALITY," NOTING THAT THE MEANING WAS UNCLEAR IN THE FAO
CONTEXT.
LIFDC CLASSIFICATION
-----------------------
23. AT THE 2001 CFS MEETING, THE LATIN AMERICAN REGION
ASKED THAT FAO REVIEW THE CRITERIA FOR LOW-INCOME FOOD
DEFICIT COUNTRIES (LIFDC) USED BY THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
IN ALLOCATING DEVELOPMENT FOOD AID. THE LATIN GROUP
SOUGHT A LIBERALIZATION OF THE DEFINITION OF LIFDC
"LIBERALIZED" SO THAT COUNTRIES THAT HAVE GRADUATED FROM
THE LIFDC LIST, WHICH INCLUDES BOLIVIA, CUBA, AND
GUATEMALA, WOULD CONTINUE TO QUALIFY FOR FOOD AID AND
OTHERWISE LEVERAGE RESOURCES. AFTER EXTENSIVE DEBATE ON
THE FLOOR OF THE PLENARY, THE CFS REPORT LANGUAGE WENT
FORWARD UNCHANGED WITH LANGUAGE STATING ONLY THAT SEVERAL
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03093 04 OF 05 241500Z
DELEGATES WERE SATISFIED WITH THE CONTENT OF THE FAO
REVIEW OF THE LIFDC CRITERIA. (COMMENT: THE LATIN
AMERICAN GROUP ALSO SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE LANGUAGE ON LIFDC
INTO THE DECLARATION, BUT WERE FORCED TO DROP IT DUE TO
OPPOSITION FROM THE OECD COUNTRIES AND LACK OF SUPPORT
FROM OTHER G-77.)
CFS GENERAL DEBATE ISSUES: U.S. FARM BILL
-----------------------------------------
24. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FROM ALL REGIONS (SUCH AS
BRAZIL FROM LATIN AMERICA, THAILAND FROM ASIA, AND SOUTH
AFRICA) AND NEW ZEALAND RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT U.S.AND EU
DOMESTIC SUBSIDIES. MANY COUNTRIES OF THE EU AND G-77 AND
OTHER OECD COUNTRIES ALSO SPECIFICALLY CRITICIZED THE NEW
U.S.FARM BILL, FINDING REPORTED INCREASES IN U.S.TRADE-
DISTORTING SUPPORT INCONSISTENT WITH U.S. CALLS FOR
FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN DOMESTIC SUPPORT THROUGH WTO
NEGOTIATIONS. THE CONCERN OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WAS
THAT INCREASED SUBSIDIES WOULD DRIVE DOWN THE PRICE OF
COMMODITIES LIKE COTTON AND WOOL WHERE DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES COULD BE COMPETITIVE.
COMMENT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ6405
PAGE 01 ROME 03093 05 OF 05 241500Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00
CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 UTED-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 G-00 SAS-00
/006W
------------------C1AC0F 241500Z /38
R 241518Z JUN 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4418
INFO USDA WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 003093
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, EAGR, FAO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FAO COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
28TH SESSION
-------
25. THE DECLARATION FOR THE WFS5YL SUCCESSFULLY
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03093 05 OF 05 241500Z
INCORPORATES THE NEW CHALLENGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE FOR DEALING WITH POVERTY AND HUNGER IN LINE
WITH THE WFS TARGETS FOR 2015. IT ALSO REAFFIRMS THE
ROLE OF THE CFS AS THE MONITORING BODY FOR THE WFS
TARGETS. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE CFS'S LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE
OVER THE PAST FIVE PLUS YEARS, ASSISTING IT TO
ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT GOVERNANCE
CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR USG AGENCIES DEALING WITH THE FAO.
FURTHERMORE, THE CFS'S NEW TASK (IF SO ENDORSED BY THE
FAO COUNCIL) TO OVERSEE NEGOTIATIONS OF VOLUNTARY
GUIDELINES ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD CANNOT HELP BUT DETRACT
FROM ITS ABILITY TO CARRY OUT ITS CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR MONITORING WFS IMPLEMENTATION. HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME03093 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
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