Japan looks to slash farm support related to TPP agreement

TOKYO, Oct. 18 — Japan’s finance ministry has called for a cut in the budget allocated to farm support. This includes programs to help adjust to increased agricultural food products entering Japan following the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

The ministry’s fiscal system council, which advises the finance minister, stressed on Oct. 17 it wants to review agricultural support programs related to the TPP, as the United States pulled out of the regional trade deal in January.

And the council’s intention goes beyond the TPP.

In July, Tokyo and Brussels reached a political deal on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The governing party as well as farm lobby groups have stepped up demands to boost farm supports to help farmers cope with agricultural products that are import-sensitive in the deal with EU, such as pork, cheese and lumber.

But the council said: “The support programs related to the TPP could mostly cover the deal with the EU as well.”

It will provide new spending only for a program supporting the raising of quality as well as brand recognition of agricultural products, rather than providing supplementary income to farmers.

The council also wants to review the way farmers lease their farming land through intermediary organizations.

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