Vol. 21 No. 1 September 2003

Domestic
MAFF Reorganization Replaces Food Agency with Food Safety & Consumer Affairs Bureau
Food Safety Commission Chairman Calls for Internationally Recognized Risk Evaluations
MAFF Decides Food Safety Policy Framework: National Health is First Priority
Revised Staple Food Law Represents Major Turnaround in Rice Policy
MAFF Publishes New Standards on Cattle Suspected of BSE Infection

International
Minister Presses US for Compromise in WTO Agricultural Trade Negotiations
Asian Farmers’ Group Statement Positions Rice as Essential for Assurance of Food Security
Japan Voices Concern as US Considers Lifting Ban on Imports of Canadian Beef
Indonesia and Japan Agree to Cooperate in Combating Illegal Logging

Topics
Average Life Expectancy Reaches New High of 78.32 for Men, 85.23 for Women
Food Price Gap Narrows Between Tokyo and European Cities, Widens Between
Tokyo and NY

Food Marketing and Distribution
Fisheries Agency to Extend Requirements for Processed Food Labeling to Show
Country of Origin of Raw Materials
New JAS Standard to Assure Traceability of Products Not Covered by Beef Traceability Law

Food Safety Commission Must be Managed in a Resolute Manner