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The Council of FAO, meeting for the first time in Washington in* November, 1947, made plans to absorb the International Emergency Food Council (see below), set up a policy committee on production and distribution, and formulated recommendations on how to meet the immediate and long-term food deficiencies of the world. 10. International Emergency Food Committee As from 1 January, 1948, the International Emergency Food Council, established at the meeting on urgent food problems convened by FAO in May, 1946, became the International Emergency Food Committee of the Council of FAO. The assumption by FAO of direct responsibility for the work of lEFC became possible as a result of the amendment of the Constitution of FAO (see above). However, the arrangements made between the old International Emergency Food Council and the Council of FAO prior to the transfer of functions ensured that the methods and procedures previously adopted by lEFC would be continued. Accordingly,. New Zealand continues to be represented not only on several commodity committees which meet regularly, but also on the International Emergency Food Committee. The Committee has continued the methods previously used for the allocation of those foodstuffs and materials used in food production which are in short supply and are included within the reserved commodity lists issued by lEFC. Through its sub-committees the Committee considers the supplies and requirements of the different commodities and draws up lists of allocations ; these are submitted to Governments for their concurrence. The primary difficulty tobe met is the fact that total supplies are in many cases much below the total minimum import requirements. Problems also arise in allocating sources of supplies, most Governments desiring, if possible, , to maintain the sources from which they have drawn their suppliesin the past. Currency exchange difficulties have added a further problem by increasing pressure for supplies to be made available to claimant countries from areas which would not involve drawing on scarce currencies. In spite of these and other difficulties, lEFC has. continued to discharge an important function in ensuring to a considerable degree an equitable allocation of scarce foodstuffs and materials essential for food production. 11. International Wheat Council A Conference convened by the International Wheat Council in London (March-April, 1947), at which New Zealand was represented, settled the general provisions for a long-term agreement for sales and purchases of wheat, but was unable to finalize the question of"