Minister promises flexible financial support for farmers affected by foot-and-mouth outbreak

Japan Press Weekly

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Minister promises flexible financial support for farmers affected by foot-and-mouth outbreak

Agriculture Minister Akamatsu Hirotaka said on May 18 that the government will flexibly provide financial support to farmers who have been affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting cows and pigs.

He made the remark at a House of Councilors agriculture committee meeting in response to Japanese Communist Party representative Kami Tomoko, who called on the government to take measures to give financial assistance as well as to stem the spread of the infections.

“Since it will take time for farmers to receive public compensation, the government should consider providing them a temporary advance,” Kami urged.

Since foot-and-mouth disease in three cows was confirmed in Tsuno Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, on April 23, cows and pigs at more than 120 facilities in the prefecture have been suspected of being infected. The prefectural government declared a state of emergency over the outbreak of the disease.

After sending Kami on April 27 and Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji on April 29 to Miyazaki, the JCP requested that the Agriculture Ministry take appropriate measures to address the issue.

On May 19, JCP Miyazaki Prefectural Committee and prefectural assembly members visited the Agriculture Ministry and two other ministries, reporting on local hardships and calling for necessary measures to be swiftly imposed.

- Akahata, May 19 and 20, 2010