HC Deb 05 July 1976 vol 914 cc427-8W
Mrs. Millie Miller

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, at the meeting of the World Food Council in June, there were any developments with regard to the establishment of the proposed International Fund for Agricultural Development and the fertilisers needed to increase agricultural production in developing countries.

Mr. Prentice

The World Food Council meeting was preceded by a United Nations Conference on the establishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Conference was not yet able to establish the Fund because contributions pledged still fell short, by some $60 million, of the $1 billion target, which it is understood has to be attained to secure the full contributions by some of the larger developed countries. The Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the World Food Council were accordingly requested to make urgent efforts to mobilise additional funds. There were no further developments when the matter came before the World Food Council, but the Under-Secretary of State leading the United Kingdom delegation made it clear that, in respect of the Fund, the United Kingdom Government would endeavour to cooperate fully with those charged with closing the gap between the already pledged total, including the British contribution, and the overall target.

The World Food Council was informed that production of fertilisers was expected to be sufficient to meet world demand over the next few years. However, the council was also informed that the balance of payments situation of the most seriously affected developing countries had deteriorated and that they would need external assistance to cover their import requirements. The Under-Secretary of State informed the council that the United Kingdom Government recognised the crucial importance of fertilisers in increasing agricultural production and would continue to include fertiliser aid within the official development assistance programme, both bilaterally and multilaterally through the FAO International Fertiliser Supply Scheme. £7.5 million has now been earmarked for expenditure on fertilisers in the 1976–77 financial year.