 Farmers to strike back at government's destructive policy in agriculture The National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nomin-ren) held its 16th Convention January 12-14 in Tokyo and adopted an action plan to "develop 'another current' to block large companies' dominance over agriculture and foods" in cooperation with a wide-range of consumers and small business owners in opposition to the Liberal Democratic Party-led government "reform" policy that destroys the nation's agriculture. The Convention also decided to increase the effort to collect money to buy trucks to be used for recovery in countries damaged from the tsunami generated by the quake off the coast of Sumatra Island, in response to a local farmer organization's request. Sasaki Kenzo, president of Nomin-ren, pointed out that the Koizumi Cabinet's destructive agricultural policy and the present nose dive in rice price are showing that business circles are trying to use food and agriculture as their "business chance". To meet demands from farmers and consumers, the action plan includes the need to make efforts to maintain agricultural districts by increasing successors in farming in concert with local governments and to provide fresh and safe foods for school lunch program using a national network. The Nomin-ren Convention also adopted a special resolution calling for Article 9 of the Constitution to be defended in order for Japan to oppose wars. (end) |