Livestock animals are exposed to a number of infectious diseases. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is rampant in South Korea, while foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are reported in Asian countries. In Japan, porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is spreading in a number of prefectures. Their impact is large because the livestock industry extends to markets, retailers, restaurants and meat processing firms. Moreover, movement of people increases in spring, and so is the risk of infection. Communities should not leave the task of disease prevention only to farmers and do everything possible to keep the virus out of the barns. A dangerous new strain of H5N8 avian flu which emerged in South Korea … Continue reading →

  Imports of fresh vegetables have recently been on the increase. According to the Finance Ministry’s trade statistics, imports of vegetables amounted to 93,000 tons last December, up 30 percent from a year before, marking a year-on-year rise for four consecutive months. This was due to rising prices of domestically grown vegetables brought about by poor crops. If the situation remains as it is, imported vegetables could become established in the Japanese market. Domestic growers should step up cooperation with food dealers and restaurants to maintain their position in the market. Vegetable imports had been marking a year-on-year drop in the period between September 2012 and August 2013. Imports remained … Continue reading →