Appendix 22 74th Session of the EUFMD Executive Committee Aide-memoire Agenda point on the Constitution of the EUFMD Commission
Background The EUFMD Commission is a body established under Articl e XIV o f th e FAO Basic Texts (2006 upd ate, Volume II, Chapter R; http://www. fao.org/docrep/009/j8038e/j8038e18.htm#P7_2). These bodies are established by conventions or ag reem ents approved by th e Conference or the Council on the basis o f a propos al by a techni cal meeting or con ference and referred to M ember Nations con cern ed fo r acceptance. Terms o f referen ce, rules o f pro cedu re and amendm ents are app roved by th e Parties as provided for in the convention o r agreement. The purpose, membership and functions of such bodies are described in their Constitution, and acceptance o f the Constitution provides the basis for Nations to join the Commission and contribute to its Governance and success. Subsidiary texts specifi c to the EUFMD Commission are the Rules of p rocedure, and Financi al Regulations. Changes to the Constitution of the EUFMD Commission (see: Article XIV o f the EUFMD Constitution) require a two thirds majority in favour at the Gen eral Session (currently held biennially), and requi re ratifi cation by the FAO Council at its following Session. Changes to the Rules of Procedu re and Financial Regulations do not require ratifi cation by the FAO Council. The last revision to the Constitution was ten years ago, in 1997. A “ 10 year periodic revi ew”” o f the Constitution is therefo re justifi ed to ensure that the document ret ains its relevan ce to the cu rrent requirements and status o f the member countries, and in relation to the strategi c programme o f the Commission adopted at its General Sessions. Summary After 10 years, there is a n eed for the Ex ecutive, and possibly the General Session, to review th e Constitution and consider if any ch ange would be benefi cial. Although no chang e to the Constitution is essential to the und ertak e the actions ag reed in the Strat egic Plan o f the Commission for 2005-8, as agreed by the 2005 General Session (36th Session), some amendments or additions to the Articles on Functions (IV and V) may be app ropriat e to keep the Constitution and work programme in alignment. The issue of partnership with non-member count ries in the European neighbourhood and elsewhere that hav e similar aims in FMD control, and the issue of their possible membership should be discussed at the 74th Executive.
Issues 1.
Geographical scope of actions
1.a. FMD risk from endemic countries : threat detection and response The 36th Session in 2005 adopted a Strategy Paper with five main thrusts of action for the period 2005-8, which included mandating the Executive/Secret ariat to develop projects and implement actions to achieve an ”Improved system fo r monitoring FMD virus circulation”” . In response the Secretari at, with EC assistance via the Trust Fund, has supported FMD sample submission from outbreaks in Iran, Egypt, East Afri ca (Sudan, Kenya) and west Africa (Nig er). This support has been valuable but in the face o f constant virus evolution, a move to a more active monitoring approach with partners in the endemic regions is needed. Incursions of exotic FMDV into Egypt and Turkey in 2006 were discussed in the 73rd Executive, highlighting the lack of in formation from endemic regions on circulating strains to inform risk assessment and preventive
152
