A—l

Emergency policies of limiting production in large areas to cereals and potatoes, accompanied by the drastic restrictions and reductions in live-stock numbers and the excessive slaughter of animals in famine areas, have left agriculture in many countries seriously handicapped. The action of the United Nations in providing funds for immediate relief and for rehabilitation work has prevented untold suffering and will materially assist in the restoration of food-production. It must be recognized, however, that the need for rehabilitation is confined neither to the countries in which TJNRRA is now operating nor to the limited period during which that organization is expected to function. Continuing agricultural improvement is necessary in all war-devastated and underdeveloped countries if the world's production possibilities are to be fully realized. (6) Emergency Calorie Intake Requirements An expert Nutrition Committee recently convened by FAO has advised that an intake of 1,900 calories a head daily represents a minimum subsistence level in European countries " needed to prevent the most serious undernutrition and the danger of civil unrest." This conclusion is based on both nutritional principles and recent experience. This intake level is equivalent to about 2,000 calories at the retail stage, but owing to inequalities in food distribution —for example, differences in consumption in rural and urban areas —the calorie intake of some sections of the population is likely to fall below the danger point if the national average supply of calories per caput is less than 2,200 at the retail level. Every effort must therefore be made, on nutritional grounds, to provide sufficient food imports to raise the national average number of calories available per caput to 2,200 in countries whose indigenous food supplies are inadequate for this purpose. The nutrition experts have also advised that calorie intake per caput for subsistence may be somewhat lower than 1,900 calories a day in Eastern and tropical countries generally. This conclusion is based on the smaller average size of the people in these countries, differences in age distribution and in climate, and various other circumstances. The subsistence level of calorie intake suggested is 1,500 to 1,600 a head daily. With comparatively good distribution, the national average figure which must be reached, to prevent sections of the population falling below the subsistence point would be about 1,900 calories at the retail stage. If total food-supplies are to be sufficient to maintain the national average figure at this level, substantial food imports must move into a number of the smaller countries or areas in the Far East. Disparities in consumption in India and China are great because of their large area, differences in regional dietary habits, transport difficulties, &c.; hence, even though daily calories available per caput at the retail level were in the neighbourhood of 1,900 or above, these countries would probably still need considerable help in order to satisfy the urgent needs of various areas. The populations of India and China together amount to perhaps 850,000,000 people. A temporary maintenance level of calorie intake of 2,200 a head daily in European countries has been put forward by the Nutrition Committee. Here again allowance must be made for " spread," and unless the national average at the retail stage is at least 300 calories above this, the intake of considerable sections of the population is likely to be below 2,200. At this level of consumption, consideration should be given to the question of increasing protein intake. While " temporary maintenance " consumption is far from satisfactory, it will, in comparison with " emergency subsistence " consumption, allow for better growth of children, improvement in general health, and an increased

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