Farm reform panel eyed for FTAs
Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010
Farm reform panel eyed for FTAs
Kyodo News
The government said Friday it will set up a task force to discuss agricultural reforms as it seeks out more free-trade agreements with other economies.
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan agreed to have the panel explore measures to improve the productivity and competitiveness in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries.
The move highlights efforts to reassure farmers they won’t be harmed by an influx of cheap imports if Japan opens its markets by easing tariffs under trade-liberalization initiatives, including the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The task force will hold its first meeting Tuesday. Headed by Kan, the panel is expected to work out basic principles for support measures for agriculture by June, which is about the same time when the government will decide whether to join talks on the U.S.-backed TPP.
On Nov. 9, the Cabinet formalized a policy to set up the panel and begin consulting with the countries negotiating the TPP initiative, triggering fierce criticism from farmers.
The TPP, which started as a free-trade agreement among Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, is set to expand to include such major agricultural exporters, including the United States and Australia.
Japan is separately considering accelerating its talks with Australia for a bilateral agreement. The negotiations have failed to make much progress due mainly to Japan’s heavy protection of sensitive agricultural products.
