A—l

Whaling Agreement should (i) ensure a- rapid increase in the'number of factory ships and other equipment; (ii) seriously consider modifying the said Agreement in ways which will facilitate more abundant catches; ana (iii) co-operate in the provision of technical personnel and equipment m order to obtain the maximum increase in all waters where whaling is permitted. (5) Dairy Products, Meat, and Eggs It was fully appreciated that the shortage of feeds-tuffs must reflect on live-stock policies to be followed during the period of the emergency, and there was a definite agreement that the world demand for live-stock products could not be met in 1947-48. It was recommended — («.) That dairy cattle producing milk for general human consumption should have first priority in the allocation of available feed-supply, owing to "the nutritional importance of milk. (6) That the remaining supply of feed should be so distributed as to secure the maximum output of live-stock products, taking into account the needs of economic rehabilitation and the geographic and other circumstances of each country. Underlining most of the Committee's discussions on the possibility of increased production were the fear of surpluses when the period of emergency had passed and the part which incentives and price policy could play in expanding production. While national guarantees of price stability would create a feeling of confidence, it was felt that these need to be supplemented by international measures to serve the same need. It was recommended — O) That FAO be asked as a matter of urgency to study the problems of agricultural surpluses and the means which might be employed to dispose of them, bearing in mind the principles enunciated at the Hot Springs Conference, and consulting such other United Nations agencies as may be concerned. (&) That, in order to allay, as far as possible, the fears of producers respecting future surpluses, FAO be asked to report its findings to the next session of its Conference. (c) The FAO study the international aspects of the problems of securing reasonable and stable returns to agriculture in ways consistent with technological developments and a flexible world economy and that FAO report its findings at as early a date as possible to its member Governments. While the Committee recognized that it was not concerned with intergovernmental machinery for procurement and allocation of foods in short supply, it did feel that consideration should be given to the principles to be adopted, and accordingly a very wide and interesting discussion took place on the principles of collection, procurement, allocation, and distribution. The representative of India made a statement on the broad principles regarded as essential in making allocations, and with few changes these were written into the final report. The United Kingdom representative stressed the fact that the machinery . for allocation and distribution must not be made too rigid and that, in the field of international procurement, co-ordinated buying should be continued, every attempt being made to eliminate disorderly competitive buying by countries short in food supply.

9