Government sources revealed on September 12 that the Agricultural Chemicals Registration System based on the Agricultural Chemicals Control Act will be revised in order to promote use of low-price generic chemicals (patent-expired) among local farmers. It is expected that the Government will simplify the registration rules by following those in the United States and European countries where use of generic chemicals has been spreading among farmers. The new Registration System will start in fiscal 2017. The government officials hope agricultural chemical manufacturers will be able to considerably reduce costs of registering new chemicals with their safety being assured under the revised Registration System. The Government will be required to ensure … Continue reading →

A number of vegetable producers at Tokachi province in the south-eastern part of Hokkaido, heavily battered by Typhoon No.10 at the end of this August, had their vegetables totally damaged. Most of the vegetables growing in the areas hit by the Typhoon have been covered by floodwater and mud. Some farmers began to clean up the vegetables scattered around on the farm, but other producers are keeping away from their farmlands, where the floodwater has not yet receded. There are some vegetable farms escaping from heavy damages, but it is still difficult for owners of these farms to begin insect pest controlling. They are worried there may be an outbreak … Continue reading →