CBIJ Biotech information in Japan February 26, 2013 CBI Japan 1
Current Environment on biotech (GMO)- 1 Economic and Industry Environment: • Farmers are old (ave. 65 year-old) and are smallholders. (>1.ha) • Japan heavily depends on importing corn, soybean, wheat, canola, cotton and etc. from abroad. Only rice is 100% self sufficient. Politics: • In 2000 DPJ (Democratic party of Japan gained the seat after LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) served for 60 years. • DPJ was very conservative against GM and other food safety. As they interfered scientific decision, administrative process became very slow in regulatory agencies. • Even DPJ insisted on MAFF to trim budget for promotion of GM public awareness. • Last December election made DPJ looser, so LDP came back for running government. • All industry are expecting better conditions than before now. Academia/National Institutes: • Due to low public acceptance, number of GMO research was decreasing. (less budgeting) • But some National research stations are proactive and also doing biotech risk communications CBI Japan 2
Current Environment on biotech (GMO)- 2 Public, Media and Consumer group: • Japanese are very sensitive on safety because of many food scandals in the past. • Public acceptance of GMO is low as they see non-GMO labeled products on the shelves every day, but it is slightly better in the past. • Major media stay quiet at the moment, but local media wrote stories about anti-GMO. • Some consumer groups have vocal voices and request tighter GMO labeling by demonstrating how GMO is unsafe. (Anti-GMO movies, Discussion with politicians, TPP etc.) • Consumer groups sent a large number of against comments to the public comments.. Regulation/Approval • All regulations for food, feed and environment are in place. • Agencies (MAFF/MHLW/FSC) require longer timeline for administrative process/internal review. • Reviewers sometimes request data more than required assessment data. • It is hard for us to predict when we get full approvals. CBI Japan 3
CBIJ challenge Improvement of review process to increase transparency and science-based risk assessment (R=H x E). Timely and predictable approval Improve environment to achieve above goals by reinforcing relationships with key stakeholders. Strengthen relationships with media to distribute accurate information Strengthen relationship with related industries as supporters Promote developed key messages to gain public acceptance CBI Japan 4
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