1-year since Japan's 1st BSE case: Farmers demand government compensation

One year after the discovery of Japan's first case of mad cow disease, farmers and stock raisers on September 10 issued a statement condemning the government for failing to act, and demanded compensation for their losses.

The statement of the National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nominren) and the National Council of Livestock Farmers points out that discoveries of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) infected-cows aroused public mistrust of beef safety, dealing a heavy blow to cattle and dairy farmers, many of whom were forced to give up farming.

The statement demands overall compensation for BSE-losses triggered by the government's maladministration.

Nominren representatives on the same day visited the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry to demand more adequate BSE compensation measures.

Nominren requested that the ministry compensate for losses caused by falls in beef prices, secure loans to farmers, assist BSE-hit farmers so as to restore and maintain their life, bear the expense of dead cow inspections, conduct thorough investigations into the cause and infection route, and support measures to establish self-sufficiency in feed.

Endo Yutaka, secretary general of the Kanagawa Prefectural Nominren, said he wants the government to admit its fault and take steps to help farmers. Citing harmful rumors, he requested the government to instruct the parties concerned on the basis of scientific evidence. (end)