Australia’s FAO

What is Australia doing at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations? Australia is one of 184 members and is on the 49 member executive Council. The FAO is proposing to cut its 2004-05 budget that could eliminate FAO assistance for co-operatives and farmer organisations. Some member countries of the FAO have initiated this budget priority switch – led by the U.S.A. The political priorities of the U.S.A. and its supporters are with other FAO programmes such as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the food standards programme Codex, Fisheries and Forestry. The ICA has urged the FAO that co-operatives are an effective means for people to find ways to solve their economic and social problems and co-operatives can make significant contributions to realizing the UN Millennium Development Goals. The ICA has argued that there should be increased resources for co-operatives.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations was established in 1945. It’s mandate is to raise level of nutrition and standards of living, improve agricultural productivity and better the condition of rural populations. FAO has 183 member countries and the European Community – including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The Conference is the supreme governing body of FAO comprising all 184 members. The Conference elects a Council – a 49 member nation executive organ. Australia is on the Council. Australia is also a member of the Programme Committee of the FAO. FAO Sustainable Development Department - Food and Agriculture Organization

There are three critical meetings at which Australia could support or oppose FAO’s continuing support for co-operatives and farmer organisations.

On 19-25 September 2003 at the Joint FAO Programme and Finance Committee meeting in Rome, Italy, to discuss the proposed 2004-05 budget.

On 26-28 November 2003 at the 125^th FAO Council will meet in Rome, Italy.

On 29 November – 10 December 2003 at the 32^nd FAO Conference will be meeting in Rome, Italy.

David Griffiths
Last updated: 02-Aug-2003 10:35 AM