February 15, 2023

A group of dairy and livestock farmers on February 14 made representations to Agriculture Minister Nomura Tetsuro, demanding that the government implement urgent measures, including financial support that covers the increase in fertilizer costs and cuts in dairy imports from other countries.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Tamura Takaaki and JCP member of the House of Councilors Kami Tomoko also participated in this action.

In the representations, Japan Family Famers Movement (Nouminren) President Hasegawa Toshio pointed out that more and more dairy and livestock farmers have given up farming, forced out of business, and gone bankrupt mainly due to a surge in the prices for fertilizer and other production materials as well as a slump in animal product prices. He said that direct support from the government such as a measure to ease the impact from higher feed prices is essential to help these farmers survive the crisis situation.

A dairy farmer from Hokkaido pointed out, “While imposing cuts of 140,000 tons in output on milk producers in Hokkaido, the government continues to import 137,000 tons of dairy products from other countries by saying that to maintain this volume is required under the WTO as the current access import.” He demanded that the current access import be revised.

Agriculture Minister Nomura in reply said that he understands the struggles that dairy farmers have been going through to stay in their business, but showed reluctance to accept their urgent demands.

After the representations, Nouminren and consumers’ organizations held a rally in the Upper House members’ office building, agreeing that it is necessary for consumers and producers to join hands to push the government to take actions to protect Japan’s dairy and livestock farming.

Past related article:
> Gov’t should take action without delay to help livestock farmers survive skyrocketing production costs [December 7, 2022]