A delegation representing the Japanese agricultural industry recently visited Washington to gather information and exchange views with agricultural groups and government officials of the United States concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks. The delegation stressed the fact that there are people in the U.S. who are opposed to the TPP scheme, noting that the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu) and the National Farmers Union representing family farmers in the U.S. jointly issued a statement to express strong concern over the TPP talks. Their action showed that farmers worldwide can cooperate to realize coexistence of farming in different countries. JA-Zenchu has a significant role to play in warning of the threats posed by the TPP and strengthening cooperation among the agricultural industry worldwide.
The delegation, led by JA-Zenchu President Akira Banzai, met with representatives of the National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Beet Sugar Association, the NFU, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In some of the meetings, the delegation faced straightforward objections, such as the National Milk Producers Federation stating that they are calling on the TPP participants to cut tariffs on all goods without exception.
The visit, however, did produce some significant results. Banzai told the Japan Agricultural News that he could act in liaison with the NFU as friends who share the same passion for agriculture, adding that it is very important to expand such cooperation. His words indicate that JA-Zechu is assured that cooperative anti-TPP movement can work across the border.
Regarding Japan’s entry in the TPP talks, the delegation visited the U.S. also in September 2011 and met with officials of the U.S. government and agricultural groups. The NFU gave a supportive message by stating that coexistence of various forms of farming in different countries is a prerequisite to trade liberalization. In the following month, JA-Zenchu submitted to Prime Minister’s Office signatures of as many as 11.67 million people opposing Japan’s participation in the TPP talks. This was the time when protest movements against the TPP swelled nationwide.
Now the situation in Japan is quite different. Following a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in February, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced in March his intention to join the TPP negotiations. The Japanese government is rushing to enter the talks, disregarding concerns of many people, and such moves prompted JA-Zenchu to send a delegation again to the U.S.
Some moves were previously taken to support international cooperation among farmers. In the general assembly of the World Farmers’ Organization held in Niigata in April, the participants agreed on a common recognition that the agricultural sector needs special consideration in trade agreements due to the fundamental importance of food security and rural economies. JA-Zenchu and the NFU agreed on issuing a joint statement to express concerns over the TPP talks, and two statements were released, the one in May and the other while the delegation was in Washington. The action will definitely help build up momentum towards achieving cooperation with agricultural groups in other nations who are threatened by neoliberalism gaining power.
Inside Japan, anti-TPP movements are gaining new momentum. On Saturday, June 15, JA Youth, an organization of young farmers, will hold a nationwide protest rally in cooperation with women’s groups and consumers’ groups. The following day, JA-Zenchu and JA Youth will jointly hold a symposium in Tokyo to address concerns over the TPP talks. The symposium can be viewed live on JA-Zenchu’s website so that the information can be shared by people nationwide. Now is the time to spread the cooperative movements against the TPP at home and abroad.
(June 14, 2013)