Size Of F.A.O. Astounded New Zealand Delegate

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29107, 20 January 1960, Page 12

Size Of F.A.O. Astounded New Zealand Delegate

“The vastness of the Food and Agricultural Organisation is astounding,” said Mr R. C. Stuart, agricultural economist for the Department of Agriculture in Christchurch, who recently returned from an F.A.O. conference in Rome.

About 500 delegates from some 72 countries attended the conference, which lasted for three weeks from October 31 to November 20. Some idea of the immense number of topics discussed can be gained from the fact that Mr Stuart brought back to New Zealand, 20 pounds of papers on the conference resolutions, and proceedings. “A very gratifying feature of the conference was the tremendous atmosphere of goodwill among delegates,” said Mr Stuart. “The discussions were lively at all times. “The language problem was overcome by simultaneous interpretation into Spanish, French, and English,” Mr Stuart said. “Every delegate could listen to the discussions, through earphones, in one of these three languages.” Mr Stuart was amazed at the efficiency of the 1200 permanent staff of F.A.O. He said that a verbatim report—in three languages —on the day’s proceedings was always available the following morning. The secretarial staff worked three eight-hour shifts round the clock. Protectionism Mr Stuart said that one of the items on the agenda of particular interest to New Zealand was the discussion on international agricultural trade and handling of surpluses of agricultural products. F.A.O. was concerned with the orderly disposal of food surpluses and price fluctuations of agricultural commodities, such as jute, from the exporting countries. These fluctuations were causing a slower rate of development in the under-developed countries in spite of increased production. “F.A.O. is similar to a huge world agricultural department,” said Mr Stuart. “The only difference is that one of its more important functions is to coordinate world trade in agricultural commodities.

“The organisation of F.A.O. could be likened to that of a government. The assembly, consisting of all the member nations, meets biennially to formulate policy. Numerous commissions and sub-committees complete plans for the many projects, and an executive committee, meeting every four or five months, is responsible for co-ordinating policy and running the organisation,” said Mr Stuart. According to the provisional report of the conference, F.A.O. has sent 1773 experts, from more than 40 countries, into the field. It has awarded 1600 fellowships and organised approximately 100 training centres.

“Research into animal production, nutrition, and health, plant breeding programmes, the study of atomic energy and its application to plant breeding and food preservation, and research on forestry and fishing are some of the hundreds of activities of F.A.0.,” said Mr Stuart. "An example of one of the major activities of F.A.0.,” said Mr Stuart, “is the long-term development project involving all the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The scheme will provide for afforestation, irrigation, and the use of the latest methods to increase agricultural production in the region,” said Mr Stuart.

He said that the F.A.O. buildings in Rome commanded an excellent view of the Colosseum and Constantine's gate. The main block was originally built by Mussolini as headquarters for his African empire. “An extra wing is being added and separate conference halls have been built. The main hall is very similar to the United Nations General Assembly hall in New York,” said Mr Stuart. After the conference, Mr Stuart, with other New Zealand delegates attended the annual consultation on agricultural and food policy talks between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in London.