Twenty-third conference of the FAO adopts pesticide code, food security compact.

Twenty-third Conference of the FAP adopts pesticide code, food security compact

An International Code of Conduct of the Distribution and Use of Pesticides and a World Food Security Compact were approved at the twenty-third Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held in Rome from 9 to 28 November. Continued global aid for the rehabilitation of African agriculture was urged and FAO's programme of work and budget for 1986-1987 was approved.

The 158-nation Conference--FAO's supreme governing body--was attended by more than 110 ministers in a "world food summit". The global food situation was reviewed, and international action urged to improve the situation of developing countries, those of Africa in particular, in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

In his closing address, FAO Director-General Edouard Saouma described the session as "a memorable event". The Conference's review of the world food situation had been, he said, "dominated by the problems of Africa". Considering Africa's desperate situation over the past two years, short term prospects seemed clearly more favourable. Still, teh basic problem remained to be resolved--the structural crisis of African agriculture.

The International Code of Conduct of the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, approved by the Conference, is the first set of international guidelines for the handling, trade and safe use of pesticides, particularly in developing countries lacking controls over their use.

The Conference unanimously approved a World Food Security Compact, which calls on all Governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals to commit themselves to the aims of world food security, namely that all peoples will have access at all times to the basic food they need. The Compact, which is not legally binding...