Japan Press Weekly

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2009 August 26 - September 1 [AGRICULTURE]

Rice retailers and producers have exchange meeting

It was the 10th time for Nouminren to organize the meeting, aimed at securing a stable supply of safe rice, produced organically or with low-input methods, through medium- and small-sized wholesale markets and local rice shops.

Dozen Mitsugi, speaking on behalf of the Nouminren “Farm-Fresh Network”, pointed out that the government policy of importing foreign rice and leaving rice distribution to market forces has caused the sharp fall in rice prices. “It is impossible for farmers to continue producing rice. Such a policy should be abandoned,” he said.

The Japan Rice Retailers Association’s representative Hasebe Yoshiyasu criticized retailers for mixing normal rice with the rice that does not meet the government’s standards in order to reduce the price, and for selling foreign rice to the food service industry. “Rice shops want to provide safe domestic rice for consumers,” said Hasebe, and expressed his hope to further develop cooperation with Nouminren. - Akahata, August 31, 2009