日本是時候在農業上采取行動了

由23個成員國組成的亞太經濟論壇(apec)上周六呼籲出台一項“全麵方案”，以實現農產品貿易自由化，並將2010年定為取消所有農產品出口補貼的日期。亞太經合組織代表著全球50%的貿易和近60%的全球經濟。在此之前，韓國貿易部長金鉉宗(Kim Hyun-chong)越來越多地承認，本輪WTO農業貿易談判“陷入了困境”。現在大家都很清楚，如果下個月在香港舉行的部長級會議有機會成功為10億缺乏充足食物的中國人提供更好的市場準入，重大讓步至關重要。這讓日本人感到緊張。盡管補貼占經合組織農業支出總額的30%以上，但在日本，這一數字高達58%。日本設置了廣泛的貿易壁壘，旨在保護當地農業。日本繼續保護敏感領域，如關稅超過700%的大米，以及糖、澱粉和乳製品。日本比任何人都更相信自己會吃虧，因此看起來越來越有可能成為達成有意義的農產品關稅減免協議的最大障礙。歐盟最近提出在五年內部分滿足美國削減60%國內農業補貼的要求，這是不夠的，但至少這是一個開始。因為日本還沒有這麼勇敢的舉措。最近發生的事情並不是個好兆頭。 Speaking at the WTO earlier this month, the Group of 10 (G10) large food-importing countries, which is dominated by Japan, reiterated their demand to continue using steep tariffs to protect what they claim are key domestic farm sectors. Under the G10 plan, "important farm products" would be isolated from any new liberalised agricultural trade regime. By remaining firmly opposed to caps on tariffs, Japan, by far the largest economy in the G10, stands opposed to efforts from nations - including those in the 'rich' world to throw open global markets. The issue is therefore no longer between rich and poor - it is between those who accept that change is needed and those that do not. The decisions take by prime minister Koizumi and agriculture minister Nakagawa from now to December could therefore effectively decide whether the Hong Kong talks succeed or fail. Is there hope for a breakthrough? Junichiro Koizumi's decision to move Shoichi Nakagawa from his position as trade minister to head the agriculture ministry might seem largely irrelevant - both institutions are stoically conservative - but the move could act in the interests of free trade. The agriculture ministry has traditionally undermined trade ministry efforts to loosen up trade barriers, seeing its mission as protecting Japanese farmers and national food companies. But the country has a history of obfuscation. Analysts point to the country's behaviour in the previous Uruguay round of talks, when attempts to liberalise the rice market were impacted by Japan's determination to protect the domestic rice market at all costs. Instead, Japan should be concentrating on improving the domestic agricultural productivity of Japanese rice so that it is internationally competitive. It should stop seeing the WTO talks as a means of protecting Japanese farmers and national food companies. In essence, it should practice what it preaches. The country's belief that it can be a pacifist beacon in the world would be strengthened immeasurably if it accepted that market access to the rich north for the poorest nations on earth is the best means of ensuring global peace and prosperity. For only when such subsidies are abolished will poorer countries be allowed to compete fairly, and the $380bn currently wasted every year on subsidies in the rich world can be put to better use. The sooner Japan, and everyone else for that matter, stops dragging their heels on this issue, the better. Anthony Fletcher is the editor of FoodNavigator.com and is a specialist writer on food industry issues. With an international focus, he has lived and worked in the UK, France and Japan. If you would like to comment on this article please e-mail anthony.fletcher@novisgroup.com.