Vol. 21 No. 6 February 2004

Domestic

New Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Appointed
Policy Headquarters to Speed Agricultural Reform; Calls for Support Measures to Focus
on "Professional Farmers"
Government Rice Inventory Set to Fall to 850,000 Tons by October 2004
Proposed MAFF Regulations Effectively Treat Cattle Spines as Waste
International
Japanese, Norwegian Ministers Confirm Intention to Cooperate in WTO Agriculture Talks
Agriculture Minister Stresses Need for Flexible Trade Rules at FAO Conference
Agriculture Minister Meets OIE Director General for Talks on BSE
Ban on Beef, Pork and Lamb Imports from Korea Partially Lifted Following End of FMD Epidemic
Government Plans to Maintain Beef Safeguards in Fiscal 2004
Japan and 3 ASEAN Countries Agree to Start FTA Negotiations in 2004
Topics
Consumer Prices Rise for First Time in Five Years
Environment, Science and Technology
Japanese Researchers Identify First New Species of Whale in 90 Years
Northern Japan Suffers Cold Summer Every 5 Years; Following Summer is Often Hot

The FAO Hunger Report: Why We Should Concern Ourselves with World Problems