【Research】China’s corn policy shifting into producer compensation system:from price support to direct payment

April 1st, 2017 Norinchukin Research Institute Co., Ltd. RUAN Wei, Research Counselor ■Abstract China embarked upon a full-fledged marketization of the economic system at the beginning of the 21st Century, in which Chinese authorities introduced a price support policy for farmers with income transfer being accompanied in order to realize a balanced growth of agriculture with non-agricultural sectors as well as to boost food production in the country. Increases in farmers’ income and food production were concurrently achieved by raising the support prices. At the same time, however, this has brought about a reversal of price difference between imported grains and domestically produced ones. In addition, lower tariff rates on … Continue reading

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Japan to step up farm reforms following TPP-11 deal: minister

TOKYO, Nov. 12 — Japan is stepping up efforts on farm reforms “with a necessary review,” following a political agreement to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States, Agriculture Minister Ken Saito has said. “The TPP-11 agreement is part of the implementation process to bring into effect the original TPP as early as possible,” Saito told reporters at a Nov. 12 press conference. The minister stressed this way allows for the United States to come back to the deal if it wishes. The U.S. withdrew from the TPP on Jan. 23. Saito also said “We will explain to farmers more details about the TPP-11 agreement” as well as … Continue reading

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Malaysia lifts 7-year ban on Japanese beef imports

TOKYO, Nov. 8 — Malaysia has lifted a 7-year ban on beef imports from Japan which could boost Japanese exports to Muslim markets. Shipments of eligible Japanese beef have been allowed to enter Malaysia since Nov. 7 without any age limit conditions, the Japanese agriculture ministry said. Japanese cattle producers need to comply with Malaysian halal standards. Slaughterhouses in Kumamoto and Tokushima prefectures have been certified as halal compliant by the Malaysian Muslim authority. In 2010, Malaysia banned import of Japanese beef due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Japan. Tokyo had requested Malaysia to lift the ban, and the two discussed food safety conditions for imports. Lifting the … Continue reading

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Japan-EU trade deal to eliminate tariffs on 82% of farm goods

TOKYO, Nov. 1 — A Japanese government analysis of the agricultural sections of the Japan-EU free trade agreement has revealed that tariff cuts on sensitive products such as dairy and meat may negatively impact in the long term by increasing EU imports. The analysis suggests that Tokyo will offer Brussels the same level of market openings, as large as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Once the agreement is fully implemented, Japan will scrap import tariffs on 82 percent of agriculture and food products imported from the EU. All industrial imports will be allowed to enter Japan entirely duty-free. Despite tariff cuts on other agriculture products, rice is excluded from the agreement … Continue reading

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Trump wants Japan to reduce trade surplus with US

TOKYO, Nov. 7 — U.S. President Donald Trump has been calling on Japan to reduce its trade surplus with the United States, blaming his country’s trade deficit on unfair trade deals between the two. Japan’s Prime minister Shinzo Abe met Trump on Nov. 6 in Tokyo, the first destination of the president’s Asia trip, to discuss primarily North Korea and trade. Both have agreed to accelerate engagement on trade through the ongoing Japan-U.S. Economic Dialogue between Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and Vice President Mike Pence, Japanese government officials explained. But during the meeting, Trump didn’t ask Abe to launch bilateral trade negotiations with the U.S., they said. Speaking at … Continue reading

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