1995 International Grains Agreement: Grains Trade Convention and Food Aid Convention

-OBJECTIVE : Approval by the Community of the International Grains Agreement 1995. -COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 96/88/EC concerning the approval by the European Community of the Grains Trade Convention and the Food Aid Convention, constituting the International Grains Agreement 1995. -SUBSTANCE : The Agreement comprises two conventions: .the Grains Trade Convention 1995, which seeks to further international cooperation and to promote the expansion of the international trade in grains. .the Food Aid Convention 1995, which seeks to secure the achievement of the World Food Conference target of at least 10 million tonnes of food aid annually to developing countries in the form of grains suitable for human consumption. The International Agreement differs from the 1986 Agreement (also consisting of the Wheat Trade Convention 1986, and the Food Aid Convention 1986, in three ways: - the Wheat Convention is extended to all grains and becomes the Grains Trade Convention; - the basis for calculating the votes and, hence, the contributions to the administrative budget is reviewed and will be adjusted periodically on the basis of current grain trade patterns; - The Rules of Procedure are updated. -RATIFICATION PROCEDURE: Each of these two conventions (or either of them as agreed) is submitted for signature and ratification, acceptance or approval, by the governments concerned (including the Community). The participation of the three new Community Member States is referred to but not demanded. It is for this reason that the Community provides in its decision for a declaration to the effect that these countries will no longer be individual members of this Convention but will be covered by the Community's membership thereof. Accordingly, the Community undertakes to perform the undertakings laid down in the Convention for these three states. Originally, the International Grains Agreement was open for signature and deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval at the UN headquarters (New York) between 1 May and 30 June 1995. The Conference of Governments, meeting in London on 6 July 1995, extended this deadline to 30 June 1996. �