Category Archives: Farm Policy

Japan confirms second pig case of classical swine fever

TOKYO, Nov. 18 ― Japan’s agriculture ministry said on Nov. 16 that a domestic pig at the livestock center park in Gifu prefecture was tested positive for classical swine fever, also knows as hog cholera. The announced came after the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) confirmed swine fever virus in the final analysis. This is the second case of domestic pigs found infected with the swine fever virus in Gifu. In addition, the carcass of a wild boar found in Gifu in September was also found infected with the virus. The swine fever is unrelated to the African swine fever that has broken out in China and other … Continue reading

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Tokyo makes video to educate farmers on African swine fever

TOKYO, Oct. 21 ― Japan’s agriculture ministry has issued an online video to educate farmers on preventive measures to avoid African swine fever, as the highly contagious disease is on the rise in China and beyond. African swine fever is not harmful to humans but is often fatal to pigs and impossible to vaccinate against. The online video, which last two-and-a-half minutes, advises farmers to observe hygiene, to properly monitor people’s movements in farms and to heat animal feed very well as the virus can survive for months in meat products. African swine fever has now reached most of China’s pig-farming regions. According to the Japanese agriculture ministry, the deadly … Continue reading

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US removes import restrictions on shell eggs from Japan

TOKYO, Oct. 17 ― The United States has lifted its import restrictions on shell eggs from Japan with requirements of temperature controls. The move comes as Tokyo has been requesting Washington since 2004 to allow shipping Japanese-grown shell eggs to the U.S. territories such as Hawaii and Guam. The Japanese agriculture ministry said on Oct. 16 that the U.S. concluded that Japan has an equivalent inspection system for shell eggs. According to the ministry, Japanese eggs need to be chilled at a temperature below 7.2℃ from 36 hours after being laid until their arrival at a U.S. destination.

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Japan’s Abe says no greater market access for US farm goods

TOKYO, Oct. 25 ― Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated that a new trade negotiation with the U.S. will not ask for greater agricultural market access than Tokyo had given in other free trade deals, including the Trade-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Abe delivered his policy speech at the outset of an extraordinary session of the parliament that started on Oct. 24. This is the first session since Abe’s reelection for a third term as leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and his cabinet reshuffle. As Japan and the U.S. are set to kick off the negotiation for a trade agreement on goods (TAG) as early as January next … Continue reading

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TPP-11 trade pact set to kick in: Tariff cuts start on Dec. 30

TOKYO, Nov. 1 ― The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States, also known as TPP-11, will come into force on Dec. 30 this year as Australia has become the sixth country to ratify the agreement, joining Japan, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. The entry into force “will send a strong message that the new trade rules of the 21th century, which area freer and fair, will be established and will spread to the world,” Japan’s Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at an Oct. 31 press conference. Australia’s ratification came within a day of the November 1 deadline. It was crucial because the TPP-11 agreement takes effect 60 days … Continue reading

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