FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION

The Second Session of the Conference of F.A.0. will open on 2nd
September, 1946, in Copenhagen. The Agenda includes the following
items:

1. Consideration of report of special May meeting on Urgent Food
Problems.

2. Appraisal of world food situation at date of conference.

3. Development plan for forestry and forest products.

4. Relationship of F.A.0. with United Nations and other
intergovernmental organisations and co-operation with non-
governmental bodies.

5. Assumption of functions and property of International Institute
of Agriculture, and of Committee International du Bois.

6. Periodic reports of member Governments.

7. Financial and Budget arrangements.

8. Amendment of F.A.0. constitution.

9. Appointment of new members of Executive Committee.

2. The coming Session is likely to be critical, not only because
of the current world wide food shortage, which will focus
considerable attention on its deliberations but also because of
its responsibility of determining the future activities of F.A.0.

These are of special significance to Australia. In particular, the
Conference will be called upon to consider findings to be
submitted by the Director-General of F.A.0. at the instance of the
recent Special Meetings on Urgent Food Problems, regarding the
extension of functions of existing organisations and the
establishment of new bodies specially designed to overcome the
long-term problems of food production, distribution and
consumption, including the risk of accumulating surpluses. Its
conclusions will be referred to the General Assembly of the United
Nations.

3. Australia's special interest in these matters, as an important
agricultural country, has been enhanced by our recent election to
the Central Committee of the new International Emergency Food
Council which has greatly increased our international
responsibilities in this field. It is most important, therefore,
that the Australian delegation should be as strong and well
qualified as possible. Cabinet will recollect that F.A.0. is the
first of the new permanent international organizations to be set
up by the United Nations. The recent special Meeting on Urgent
Food Problems in Washington at which the International Emergency
Food Council was set up allotted a number of very important
functions to F.A.0. After the Quebec Conference of F.A.0. in 1945,
the Australian delegates reported that they were considerably
handicapped by their limited numbers in not being able to cover
the work of all the committees in which Australia had a direct
interest.

4. The precise number and nature of the Committees at the coming
Copenhagen Conference, cannot be fully foreseen at present, but
the technical work of the Conference is mainly covered by six
standing committees on:-

(a) Nutrition and Food Management
(b) Agriculture
(c) Forestry and Forest Products
(d) Fisheries
(e) Marketing
(f) Statistics.

5. The Director-General of F.A.0. has specially requested that
experts in forestry and fisheries be sent to the Conference. While
it is not thought that Australia's interest in fisheries is
sufficient to warrant the attendance of a fisheries expert, it is
considered that a forestry officer should be present, and it is
recommended that G. J. Rodger, Director-General of the Forestry
and Timber Bureau should attend in this capacity.

6. It is considered that Australia's other special interests could
be covered by the attendance of the Director-General of
Agriculture, Mr. F. W. Bulcock, who is at present abroad and who
represented Australia at the Special Meeting on Urgent Food
Problems as an agricultural scientist for the planning of research
programmes, a nutrition expert, and Australian officials who are
already in Europe. Dr. F. W. Clements, Director of the Institute
of Anatomy, will be in Copenhagen at the time of the Conference.

He has been invited to attend a meeting of the Standing Advisory
Committee of F.A.0. commencing 23rd August at the expense of
F.A.O., and he could proceed to the main Conference. The C.S.I.R.

have nominated Dr. B. T. Dickson, President of the Australian
Institute of Agricultural Science and Director of Division of
Plant Industry. The suggested composition of the Delegation would
thus necessitate only two officers making special journeys.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT
(a) Australian delegation give general support to expansion of
F.A.0. activities along lines of objectives set out in
constitution; detailed instructions to be a matter for the
Ministers concerned.

(b) The Australian Delegation consist of the following members:

Mr. E. W. Bulcock (Director-General of Agriculture).

Mr. C. J. Rodger, Director-General of the Forestry and Timber
Bureau.

Dr. B. T. Dickson, President of the Australian Institute of
Agricultural Science and Director of Division of Plant Industry,
or a substitute nomination by C.S. & I.R.

Dr. F. W. Clements, Director of the Institute of Anatomy (Senior
Medical Officer, Canberra), Department of Health. [1]

W. J. SCULLY,
Minister for Commerce & Agriculture

N. J. 0. MAKIN,
Acting Minister for External Affairs