INTERNATIONAL RANGELANDS POLICIES 

 By Dr. Martin H. Gonzalez 



I INTRODUCTION 



It is a great honor to be here tonight, and to have the privilege of 

 speaking to you, thanks to the invitation of the Old West Regional Range 

 Program. 



I always enjoy the opportunity to talk about range management, alth- 

 ough perhaps to many of the experienced ranchers and professionals present 

 here, my modest comments will not add anything new. However, it is through 

 this exchange of ideas and comments, the communication between the range 

 producer and the professionals, that all of us learn a little. 



Until recently I was aware in more detail of the Old West Regional 

 Range Program. I think it is very satisfactory to "feel" the interest of 

 different sectors about this program; the interest of the Government, of the 

 ranchers, of the technical personnel involved. And this is particularly 

 satisfactory, and commendable, in the era where food production must occupy 

 top priority. .. .in an era when, finally, rangelands are being recognized 

 as one of the most important areas for the production of the goods demanded 

 by an evergrowing population. 



Regardless of my country of origin, I consider myself a " rangelands ' 

 citizen " ....and feel a great deal of pride of the programs devoted to fos- 

 ter the understanding and the sound management of our natural resources; .... 

 and, in this occasion, I want to express my sincere congratulations to the 

 originators and to all the persons involved in the Old West Regional Com- 

 mission Program. This is an exampled to be followed. 



II RANGE RESOURCES OF THE WORLD - - 



If we are going to talk or to program International Range Policies, we 

 have to take into account that these lands have always been considered, \in- 

 fortunately, of secondary importance, and that we must make everybody under- 

 stand that it cannot be that way. 



What do rangeland resoxorces mean to the world?... 



Among other things: 



1. A great extension in over 60 countries. .. .that makes about 40?^ of the 

 land surface of our planet... 



2. The better and cheapest source of forage for billions of domestic and 

 wild animals. . . 



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