Mandate: - Resolution of the Council [C2009)49] approved at its 1195th session on 14 May 2009 [C/M(2009)9, Item 110]
Resolution of the Council [C(2009)49 and C/M(2009)9, Item 110]
“THE COUNCIL,
Having regard to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14th December 1960 and, in particular, Articles 2 a) and b) and 5 a);
Having regard to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960;
Having regard to the Rules of Procedure of the Organisation;
Having regard to the Decision of the Council on 21 December 1978 establishing the Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems [C/M(78)23] and having regard to the Decision of Council [C(2004)108];
Having regard to the decision of the Council to fund the Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management For Sustainable Agricultural Systems as a programme within the Part II of the Budget of the Organisation [C(2004)96];
Having regard to the recommendations of the In-depth Evaluation of the Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management For Sustainable Agricultural Systems [C(2008)96 and C/M(2008)18, Item 242];
Having regard to the proposed revision of the mandate of the Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management For Sustainable Agricultural Systems C(2009)49;
Having regard to the favourable opinion of the Committee for Agriculture;
DECIDES:
A. The Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management For Sustainable Agricultural Systems (hereinafter “the CRP”) has the following mandate:
I. Objectives
The objectives of the CRP are to strengthen scientific knowledge in its field of competence and to provide relevant scientific information and advice that will inform future policy decisions related to the sustainable use of natural resources, in the areas of food, agriculture, forests and fisheries.
II. Definitions, Functions, Financing, Membership
Article 1
DEFINITION OF THE CRP AND WORK PROGRAMME
a)The Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems is established as part of the co-operative effort between Member countries in order to enhance the impact of co-operative agricultural (and fisheries) research.
b)A work programme, drawn up within the framework of the CRP, shall be adopted by the Council and implemented by the Secretary-General. The work programme shall be drawn up in consultation with the Committee for Agriculture (hereinafter the “COAG”) and the Fisheries Committee (hereinafter the “COFI”) where appropriate.
Article 2
METHODS AND CO-ORDINATION
a)In the implementation of its mandate, the CRP will use two instruments: International Conferences[1], and Fellowships. Conferences will provide “state of the art” knowledge and forward looking commentary for future direction in fields that can contribute to the mandate of COAG (and COFI, where appropriate) and Fellowships will facilitate and support the building of global networks in advanced research.
b)To ensure relevance, the CRP will regularly consult with the COAG (and COFI, where appropriate) on its activities, direction and outcomes. The COAG (and COFI, where appropriate) will provide its observations and guidance to the CRP as necessary.
Article 3
COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNING BODY
a)The Governing Body of the CRP (hereinafter the "Governing Body") shall be composed of one representative appointed by the Government of each participating country. Representatives should be chosen by virtue of their responsibilities in matters relating to agriculture or food research and research policy.
b)The Government of each participating country may appoint an alternate to its representative on the Governing Body.
c)The Governing Body shall designate each year from among its members a Chair and a Vice-Chair.
d)The Governing Body may invite Member countries not participating in the CRP to be represented by observers.
Article 4
FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNING BODY
a)The Governing Body shall be competent to consider all questions related to the implementation and discharge of the functions of the CRP. It shall exercise its functions in accordance with the Decisions and Resolutions of the Council and shall, in particular, exercise the functions defined in this decision as well as such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Council.
b)The Governing Body shall define the general orientations of the CRP, and on an annual basis, in consultation with the COAG and, where appropriate the COFI, identify the scope of policy interests , and shall, on the basis of the scientific recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Body, decide on the upcoming annual programme of fellowships and conferences and its related budget. In doing so the Governing Body shall ensure that the activities to be undertaken are of relevance to the scientific and policy communities in agriculture.
c)The Governing Body shall submit a summary report of work each year to the Committee for Agriculture for information and advice.
Article 5
COMPOSITION OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BODY
a)The Scientific Advisory Body of the CRP (hereinafter called the "SAB") shall be composed of a maximum of six members designated by the Governing Body from a list of distinguished individuals proposed by Governments of participating countries. A regional balance will be maintained in the selection of SAB members, who shall be chosen by virtue of their scientific responsibilities in the topics covered by the CRP or shall have responsibilities at a high level in the administration of agricultural research. Members of the SAB shall be appointed for a period not exceeding five years.
b)The SAB shall designate each year from amongst its members a Chair and a Vice-Chair.
Article 6
FUNCTIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BODY
a)The members of the SAB shall be in charge of recommending to the Governing Body the activities that, from a scientific point of view, are worthy of sponsorship, taking into account the scope of policy interests identified by the Governing Body.
b)The SAB shall submit to the Governing Body a recommendation for the annual sponsorship of conferences and fellowships.
c)The SAB shall submit to the Governing Body a yearly report on the sponsored activities of the Programme.
Article 7
FINANCING OF EXPENDITURE
a)The expenditure arising from the implementation of the CRP shall be defrayed from the appropriations authorised for it under Part II of the Budget of the Organisation.
b)The CRP may include activities to be financed in whole or in part from grants by public or private institutions.
c)The Governing Body shall submit to the Council for adoption the biennial estimates of expenditure and of income for the Programme.
Article 8
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
a)The countries participating in the CRP are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
b)Any Member country of the Organisation which does not participate in the CRP or any country having observer status in the Committee for Agriculture may participate in it by addressing a notification to the Secretary-General to this effect.
c)Invitations to and participation of non-Members in the Work of the CRP will be considered by the Governing Board in accordance with Council Resolution C(2004)132/FINAL. Such participation will become effective on the date of reception of the acceptance of that invitation by the Secretary-General. The Organisation may suspend or terminate that participation by giving one month's written notice of suspension or twelve months' written notice of termination to that country.
Article 9
DURATION
The mandate of the CRP shall enter into force on 1 January 2010 and expire on 31 December 2014; it will be reviewed by the Governing Body in December 2013.”