Honourable Ministers,
Mr Director General,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

The documents prepared for us show that we still have challenges when it comes to reducing the number of undernourished people. This is also the case for our region. Hopefully this conference will give us renewed strength and ideas for the fulfillment of our goal.

Mr Chairman,
Food security both now and in the future is an important aim that Norway actively will pursue. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to have a strong agricultural sector, a stable and predictable international trade system and good systems to secure safe food. It is equally important that the food is produced in an ecologically and economically sustainable way.

Mr Chairman,
White Paper no. 19 (1999-2000) “On Norwegian Agriculture and Food Production” underlines the need for increased focus on consumer concerns. As a follow up to the White Paper the Norwegian Parliament adopted a new Food Act in December 2003. The main purposes of the Act are to secure safe food and to promote health, quality and consider consumer aspects along the production chain from farm to fork. This also includes environmentally friendly production.

Mr Chairman,
The ongoing work on the elaboration of voluntary guidelines on the right to food is a key element in the fight against hunger. The negotiations are now in the end phase. In the next meeting in July we encourage all participants to do their utmost. That will enable us to reach our goal of establishing operational guidelines to assist member states in the implementation of the right to adequate food. The work receives our continued strong support.

Mr. Chairman
FAO provides substantial scientific input to the global and regional political processes for sustainable forest management. We commend the leading role of FAO in the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and the work done by FAO in support of the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). It is important that FAO continues to play an active role in assisting countries in the implementation of the IPF/IFF 1<br > Intergovernmental Panel on Forests / Intergovernmental Forum on Forest <br > proposals for action and the implementation of the work program of MCPFE.

Mr Chairman
- I would now like to say a few words on an important issue, namely The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The implementation of the treaty, adopted in 2001, will be crucial for conserving the genetic base that underpins agricultural development and food security.

- As we all know, the Treaty is going to enter into force next month. Unfortunately, there are still issues that will have to be resolved to make the Treaty fully operational. The FAO Conference 2001 decided that an expert group would have to consider elements of a standard Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). The Interim Committee of the ITPGRFA also decided in 2002 to set down a working group on rules of procedure, financial rules and compliance. These groups are essential to get the Treaty going.

- It is therefore extremely worrying that no steps have been taken to set any of these processes in motion. It will be even more unfortunate if this is still the case the day the Treaty enters into force. We know that the financial situation of FAO is difficult. Given the importance of genetic resources for present and future food production, FAO should consider follow-up of this Treaty as a core activity to be given the highest priority. The lack of initiatives from Rome sends an unfortunate signal that insufficient importance is attached to this issue in FAO headquarters.

- To conclude, Chairman, a more active approach from FAO is clearly needed in order to facilitate the speedy implementation of a Treaty of fundamental importance. It is also needed to show us all that we are dealing with an organisation with credibility as regards following up on issues that should be considered core activities. This European meeting should therefore send a clear signal to the FAO to urgently convey the two outstanding working group meetings.

In conclusion, Mr Chair, Norway stands committed to the Millennium Development Goals. We stand committed to increasing our development aid to one per cent of GNI (Gross National Income) by the year 2005, and we stand committed to increasing our efforts in the area of rural development. FAO must be a strong partner in our efforts to reduce poverty.

Thank you for your attention!