politics

U.S. dairy farmers threaten to oppose TPP trade deal

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I don't buy any crap that is loaded with hormones

Glad to hear it, b4f

thinking that all food items have them is complete and utter ignorance.

Complete and utter consumer ignorance thanks to dishonest food labelling. Welcome to Monsantoland!

(Washington State's) Initiative 522 to require GMO labeling will lose by a 10-point margin. The Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade group that represents big food companies such as Campbell Soup (CPB), General Mills (GIS), Hillshire Brands (HSH), and PepsiCo (PEP), spent more than $11 million to defeat the ballot measure. Antilabeling donations from DuPont (DD), Monsanto (MON), and Bayer CropScience totaled another $11 million spent to warn that the measure would be “misleading and costly for consumers,” as a DuPont spokeswoman explained.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-06/washington-state-rejects-gmo-labels-with-help-from-food-companies

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Do they understand that thousands of farmers in Japan would loose their way of income,this is their way of living , while you in US will just get a bigger wallet .

Do they understand that U.S auto makers have to compete head to head with Japanese automakers in the U.S market, perhaps the Japanese automakers should restrict themselves in selling their products in Japan only. As a Canadian I fully agree with the U.S dairy farmers. Milk is expensive in Canada and I would choose U.S milk over Canadian milk if the price was cheaper. I doubt Canada will cause as many problems as Japan since the Conservatives are pro-TPP and they have no political base in Quebec where a lot of dairy farmers are based.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Kiwi07, Japan's famous wagyu beef is so marbly and soft because the cows are fed grain - most likely imported from America. Grass fed cows produce meat with a different texture. There are Japanese farmers in Australia and I believe NZ who are trying to create local Wagyu. I hope they are successful however I'm not so comfortable with the idea.

Cows naturally eat grass, not grain.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Could the dairy lobbyists explain the American Nutrition Association's concerns?

Why is American Milk Banned in Europe?

American dairy milk is genetically-modified unless it’s labeled “NO rBGH” Genetically-engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in milk increases cancer risks. American dairy farmers inject rBGH to dairy cows to increase milk production.

European nations and Canada have banned rBGH to protect citizens from IGF-1 hazards.

Monsanto Co., the manufacturer of rBGH, has influenced U. S. product safety laws permitting the sale of unlabeled rBGH milk. (Monsanto would lose billions of dollars if rBGH were banned in America.)

http://americannutritionassociation.org/toolsandresources/milk-america’s-health-problem

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Why is American Milk Banned in Europe?......I think this is a red herring. The question is interpreting EU CAP regulations.

Below is just a taste of the import conditions.

COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 209/2014

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2014:066:0011:0023:EN:PDF

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The idea that so many countries with their own particular interests are going to make a deal like this is rediculous. Plus the "no regulations on capital flows" just invites another Wall Streen induced disaster, this time in Asia.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This is straight up gun boat diplomacy. Japan already suffered through one bout of black ships so it is just ridiculous that Japan have to suffer through another. IF you dont buy our milk you do not get any at all, just plain low and arrogant.

They never said that Japan has to buy American dairy products. What they're protesting against is that Japan intends to try and join the TPP while retaining all their tariffs on agricultural imports. In short, they want the benefits of being able to export almost tariff-free while still taxing imports enough so that the imports remain unprofitable. It's the classic "they want to eat their cake and have it, too." Japan should just give up on joining the TPP if this is how they interpret what the TPP is trying to accomplish.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Apologies if I'm wrong here...but I've always felt that farmers in Japan are actually quite wealthy. The ones I've seen have some nice, big houses and nice cars.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

American dairy milk is genetically-modified unless it’s labeled “NO rBGH” Genetically-engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in milk increases cancer risks. American dairy farmers inject rBGH to dairy cows to increase milk production.

New Zealand has banned all forms of growth hormone for farming use which is one way NZ farmers hope to compete against the massive feedlot run dairy farms in the U.S. Unfortunately N.Z beef is almost all grass fed and a lot of consumers in Japan are so unused to the grass fed taste (my wife thinks it tastes like liver).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The whole issue of "how fresh can dairy be if it has been shipped halfway around the world" aside, i thought the whole purpose of the TPP was to eliminate tariffs between members. If a prospective member insists on retaining tariffs with other members, doesn't that automatically prevent them from becoming a member?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The only stuff US dairy producers can export to Japan is processed items like cheese since it takes too long to transport milk on cargo ships and too expensive to transport by air. They also need to ship it by refer on ships so transport cost is going to hiked up through that process as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

American dairy milk is genetically-modified unless it’s labeled “NO rBGH” Genetically-engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in milk increases cancer risks. American dairy farmers inject rBGH to dairy cows to increase milk production.

I knew it was in the meat and wouldn't buy American beef even if I ate meat, but I didn't realise they used it on dairy cows, too.

So that cheap, yellow butter they sell in Costco is a no-no? (expletive deleted)

0 ( +6 / -6 )

my wife thinks it tastes like liver

It will taste like liver if the blood is not drained properly. But I've had NZ beef and no problems for a liver taste.

They have been using growth hormones in US milk for at least 15 years. Still very little flavor even in the organic milk. Small diary farms is the only way to go in the US, but with the Walmartization, it's impossible to find in the urban areas.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Many people are missing a key point, CHOICE. TPP will not force Japanese to consume sub standard produce, if in fact that is true, it will however allow consumers to make a choice. Most Japanese I talk to are adamant that Japanese produce is superior, so they can continue to consume it as they do now. Remove tariffs with conditions if necessary, no GM or steroid fed meat products for example.

The whole argument about Japanese farming is another thing. I live in a farming area and it's easy to see that Japan's farming is stuck in the past. Current protectionist policies are looking at the past. If Japan wants to increase domestic production, a forward looking policy is required. And someone needs to tell farmers it's ok to retire before they reach 80...

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@Nenad Jovanović Do they understand that thousands of farmers in Japan would loose their way of income,this is their way of living some people just dont get it, Jfarmers would not even be able survive if it wasnt for the 500billion yen in subsides that it gets. why does less that 3% of the population, 1% of the economy, deserve more than 6% on the annual budget!? more than 4 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the past 20years because the J gov supports an industry that is basically just on welfare payments. 1000s of small business have gone bankrupt without gov support. what makes J farmers any more special than any other Japanese. selffish parasites

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@itsonlyrocknroll

Thanks for the link to the EU milk regulations to give us a flavour of how complex these dairy issues and negotiations can get. I'm glad to see Brussels is at least working to keep the EU safe and healthy and hasn't been captured by the global milk industrial complex.

The pdf didn't work as a download on my phone so I will re-link to an html version for any mobile users.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014R0209&from=EN

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Every country is protectionist to some degree or other. Point is to try and ignore these interest groups if you really want free trade in goods and services.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't give a monkey's about the farmers in Japan. I'm fed up of paying through the nose for butter and having to buy tasteless cheese. Don't get me started on how much cream costs!

0 ( +4 / -3 )

Fadamor Jun. 06, 2014 - 02:54AM JST Japan should just give up on joining the TPP if this is how they interpret what the TPP is trying to accomplish.

The Japanese government can lower tariffs without entering into FTA but it lacks the political will to do it. Japanese leaders have trapped themselves by political entanglements with industry and labor which exposes the primary flaw of a managed economy. To suggest they need to use an FTA to overcome those entanglements shows their weakness, not their wisdom nor their concerns for the Japanese people. However, one can only imagine how much leverage one nation could have on another in the areas of food and energy. And speaking of energy and leverage, Japan’s ability to freely buy Iranian oil was put in jeopardy by its dependence on U.S. security. To suggest that U.S. would promote a regional agreement which does not enhance its competitive advantages and leverage over the other participants.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

NZ beef is really best BBQ'd, but it has a too strong aroma and it's no that good for shabu-shabu and other low-temperature cooking J-people love that much.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

And once again, the U.S. Experts on all food items are coming out of the wood works thinking that every item is just laced with chemicals. I love reading this, I knew there was a lot of ignorance out there, but this much? It all depends. There are plenty of choices in the U.S. That are organic and can be exported, I personally only buy U.S. Organic farm grass fed beef. Grew up on it, not a problem. I just won't eat anything else, don't like the Aussie or NZ beef, except the lamb is pretty decent. Milk, I only buy skim milk and cheese, Wisconsin sharp cheddar. People need to put down stereotypes and do some proper research, then you can see for yourself. There are many Japanese that eat U.S. Farm raised beef and love it, but it all depends, it's all subjective. I don't buy any crap that is loaded with hormones and thinking that all food items have them is complete and utter ignorance.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@CanadianJapan

Do they understand that U.S auto makers have to compete head to head with Japanese automakers in the U.S market,

It seams you are blank on knowing auto industry ? Japan companies has numerous factories and plants in US , with tens of thousands of US workers, and lot of them also do R&D in US ,and they even manage to export some of the cars outside from the US . So, your argument is totally invalid for this story .

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Doing some research I found that this issue is about powder milk which is used in various processed food products. So people talking about fresh cream and or fresh milk forget about it. It has nothing to do with it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I checked the wrapper on the Costco butter in the fridge, and it gives a Japanese firm in Osaka as the manufacturer - can I assume it's made with Japanese milk, then? I've never heard of butter being made form powdered milk.....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

M3M3M3 - cheers for the mobile link update.......

I do believe that the TPP agricultural sector will rest between a negotiated settlement, retaining a level of national protection, a sort of son of CAP.

Japans agricultural sector lacks self belief, I am reluctant to knock the system because my Mothers Japanese family has a local Ravina in Kochi that's such a wonderful shopping experience, expensive but it's the display of produce, and the customer service experience that sticks, the same with the local AEON/Saty. London UK alternative is a Ben-Hur experience on a good day.

The foot and Mouth,and the BSE epidemic was enough to frighten the living daylights out of most level headed importers, it's the principal of what goes round comes around.

TPP is a stepping stone for future FTA's, it's a 'swings and roundabout' logic that US farmers have rejected outright.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

U.S. dairy farmers think they are having a bad day over TPP ..........Wait for the fallout when chapter 5 is published - Advanced Intellectual Property for all 12 nations with negotiating positions , trademark, patent, copyright, enforcement measures, censorship, geographical indications, pharmaceuticals, generics, circumvention,DRM, pay television, encryption. CDA, DMCA...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I don't want any US dairy products - full of drugs and what not. They just want us to drink that crap so a few fat cats can get fatter - they don't care about customers or society.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This is straight up gun boat diplomacy. Japan already suffered through one bout of black ships so it is just ridiculous that Japan have to suffer through another. IF you dont buy our milk you do not get any at all, just plain low and arrogant.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Right ON! Nenad Jovanovic. Don't you just love it when you get thumbed down but no reply...losers!

I know they are talking about cheese, butter, etc and not fresh milk, but I can tell you, as far as flavor and quality is concerned, American milk is tasteless and full of hormones and other crap. I even take Japanese milk back home with me when I visit. Got busted one time and had to dump it all.

So which is it, U.S. dairy farmers or 39 dairy companies and cooperatives. Hummmm....my guess would be the large dairy companies that are making the butter and cheese, not the farmers who mostly sell raw milk.

"Like all exporters, America's dairy farmers have a lot to gain through the Trans-Pacific Partnership and we are working hard to unlock opportunities for them throughout the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

Oh it sounds so nice and fuzzy. Always helping the little guy. They must be nice guys.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

The warning from dairy groups comes after wheat, rice and pork farmers called for Japan to be cut out of the TPP talks if it insisted on keeping tariffs on sensitive products, and cattle farmers demanded the TPP eliminate all tariffs on beef.

Jigs up Japan. The farmers understand Japan's game, and are not going to play it. And, as the article says, with mid-term elections coming up in November, these guys have a lot of clout right now.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Thank you for your information about USA milk. I will never drink it in Japan. And only drink black coffee in USA

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Do they understand that thousands of farmers in Japan would loose their way of income,this is their way of living , while you in US will just get a bigger wallet .

-13 ( +7 / -20 )

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