B.2: National Policies
National policies, legal instruments and supporting mechanisms that respond to domestic requirements and are consistent with
the international policy and regulatory framework
Other Information:
It is expected that governments will continue a progressive disengagement from productive functions, in favour of the provision
of public goods and services and the establishment of a framework conducive to sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Competition for natural resources, together with expanding privatization and globalization, will place increasing demands
on the regulatory functions of the state. There is thus a growing need for national policy and regulatory frameworks to respond
to domestic requirements and be consistent with the international policy and regulatory framework. It will be essential to
respond in particular to the needs of developing countries, or those with economies in transition, to develop and implement
the necessary national policies, legal instruments and supporting mechanisms, keeping in mind that resources available to
governments are limited and regulatory controls need to be applied in the most efficient way possible. Areas in which specialized
legal and technical advice will be provided include: genetic resources, plant protection, food quality and safety, responsible
fisheries, animal health, land tenure and rural institutions, environmental protection (including forests, wildlife, water,
soil resources and desertification control), and the implications of international trade agreements in food and agriculture.
Strategy components: The components include assisting countries in: assessing, adapting to and implementing the international
policy and regulatory framework in the food, agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors as well as relevant international
instruments dealing with natural resources, environment and trade; implementing international standards at the national level,
in areas such as food quality and safety, plant protection and animal health; developing sound national legislation and relevant
supporting measures in food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and related areas, including biological diversity of relevance
to food and agriculture; and developing national capacities to respond to, and benefit from, changes in the international
trade environment. Comparative advantages and partnerships: FAO possesses a proven capacity for advising its Members on the
implications of the international policy and regulatory framework, including for food and agricultural trade, for related
national policies and legislation and for providing technical assistance in the formulation and implementation of such policies
and legislation. This capacity is based on FAO's capabilities in analysing developments and projecting trends in food, agriculture,
fisheries and forestry, and its familiarity with the international policy and regulatory framework, including its application
at the national level. It derives strength from the synergy between its normative and operational programmes. The natural
partners for the Organization, with regard to national policy and regulatory frameworks, are governments. FAO also maintains
a dialogue with civil society and the private sector on these matters and will continue to do so. Cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU) will be further developed. Partnerships will be maintained with technical and trade organizations on the technical
content of the assistance provided. This ranges from arrangements whereby organizations provide technical support to FAO's
assistance activities, as for example with WHO on food safety and other health aspects or with UNEP on environmental matters,
to areas where FAO plays a supporting role in activities conducted by other organizations, such as WTO in the application
of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. FAO will also seek to mobilize donor funds to
support Member Governments' action in these fields.
Indicator(s):
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