Number 58
November 26, 1993


A weekly update of news from the Japanese
Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries

Public Relations Office,Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries
Kasumigaseki 1-2-1,Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 100
Tel:81-3-3591-2874 Fax:81-3-3592-7697
Editor.Taiitsu Igarashi

Product Liability System Recommended
On November 19, a study group on measures to protect consumers from food-related accidents, an advisory body commissioned by the director-general of the Food and Marketing Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), submitted a report. Following consideration of desirable measures to prevent harm to consumers and provide compensation for damages, the report concludes that it is necessary for the government to introduce a product liability system.

Contact: Policy Division, Food and Marketing Division
Telephone: (03) 3502-0767 (Mr. Komori)

Report of Advisory Committee on Food Label Date Marking System Released
On November 15, MAFF received a report from an advisory committee concerning a review of the date marking system on food labels. According to the report, it is generally more appropriate to use a "use by" date or a date of minimum durability than a date of manufacture.

MAFF will review current commodity food labeling standards after it has explained sufficiently to consumers the purpose of the changes recommended in the report.

Contact: Office of Food Labeling, Food and Marketing Bureau
Telephone: (03) 3507-8592 (Mr. Hayashida)

CIFOR Director General Lectures on Problems of Tropical Forests
Jeffrey A. Sayer, the director general of the Center of International Forestry Research (CIFOR), gave a lecture, titled "The Sustainable Management of the Forests in Tropical Areas, and the Role of the CIFOR," on November 12. More than 100 people attended the lecture, after which a lively debate was held. In his address, Dr. Sayer said that the ecological problem is the most serious issue concerning conservation of the environment, and that at least five million hectares of forest are being lost every year.

After the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) last year, some people said that the conclusion was not clear regarding whether it stressed the importance of the sovereignty of countries that are pursuing development and exploitation of their resources or are trying to conquer poverty or whether it was primarily concerned with problems such as preservation of the global environment. However, the conservation and management of forest resources is of common interest, and the necessity of international cooperation to attain this goal is recognized as essential. In spite of such recognition, said Dr. Sayer, the amount of money committed at Rio on all environmental activities, not just on forests, was only $3 billion, and the amount of money actually paid was much less than that.

There are some international organizations taking the initiative in forestry. Of these, commented Dr. Sayer, CIFOR is small, but unique and important, because it links research to policy.

As a result of the rapid decrease in the area of tropical forests worldwide, the number of species are declining. It is estimated that about 20% to 30% of existing species will become extinct. Dr. Sayer said that because one of the major causes of the problems affecting tropical forests is the pressure of the human population explosion, it is essential to improve the welfare of people living in or near such forests. To attain this, he said, the most important thing is not protection. Rather, it is the sustainable management of forests. The mission of CIFOR is to enhance the productivity and sustainability of forests, and through this, to enhance the welfare of the people living in those areas. CIFOR has four objectives: understanding the biophysical and socioeconomic environments of the forest system; developing improved and sustainable productivity; assisting in the creation of policy decisions concerning forests and land use; and increasing the capacity of national forestry research; as well as four strategic plans: policy research; the management and conservation of natural forests; the reforestation of degraded lands; and the development of products and markets. To attain these objectives, Dr. Sayer stressed, CIFOR expects Japan to provide technical assistance, including biotechnology-related techniques to achieve classification and selection of species suited to certain environments and small-scale wood-processing techniques useful for smallholders.

Contact: International Cooperation Division, Economic Affairs Bureau
Telephone: (03) 3501-4095 (Mr. Sakata)

STATISTICS

The following statistics are available from the Planning and Coordination Division of the Statistics and Information Department: Tel. (03) 3591-2657.

  1. Fishery Households Economy (marine culture), fiscal 1992.
  2. General 10-Day Statistical Report on the Marketing of Vegetables and Fruits, 1st Part, November 1993.
  3. Field Information on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Vol. 268.
  4. Balance of Farm Households Economy, September 1993.
  5. Statistics on Chicks Hatched, October 1993.
  6. Statistics on the Wholesale Price of Broilers, October 1993.
Notes:

  1. All materials are in Japanese unless otherwise noted.
  2. The contacts may not be able to respond to inquiries in any language except Japanese.
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