「輸出産地」３５３地域選定　４５都道府県、牛肉など重点支援―農水省

　農林水産省は１６日、農林水産物・食品の輸出拡大に向け、和牛を中心とした牛肉など２３品目について、４５都道府県の計３５３地域を「輸出産地」に選定したと公表した。輸出相手国・地域のニーズに沿った産品を地域ぐるみで生産する。安定的な供給体制の整備を促すため、国が資金面などで産地を集中的に支援する。
　主な品目は、牛肉のほか、コメ、リンゴ、ホタテなど。国内外で人気の高い牛肉の輸出産地は「北海道畜産公社を中心とした道内全域」など計１７地域に上る。コメは宮城県登米市など東北地方を中心に計３４地域が選ばれた。同日時点で、島根、山口両県で産地になった地域はない。日本酒など選定に向け調整中の品目もあり、複数の産地が今年度中に追加される見通しだ。
　また、育児用調製粉乳（粉ミルク）を製造する大手食品メーカーが本社を置く東京都や大阪府も選ばれた。
　農水省は今後、産地の事業者らに対し、輸出額や生産量の目標などを盛り込んだ事業計画の策定を求める。計画認定後、予算や技術面で手厚い支援を行う。（2021/02/16-18:26）

Japan's agriculture ministry said Tuesday that it has selected 353 areas in 45 of the country's 47 prefectures for production of 23 food items, such as beef including "wagyu," for export.
   The move is part of the government's efforts to boost exports of agricultural, forestry, fisheries and food products. The government will provide sufficient financial support to the areas to help them ensure stable supplies. The 23 items also include rice, apple and scallop.
   A total of 17 areas, including the whole of the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, were picked for the production of wagyu and other beef, a popular item both at home and abroad, while 34 areas, mainly those in the Tohoku northeastern region, such as the city of Tome in Miyagi Prefecture, were chosen for rice production.
   As of Tuesday, no areas were selected from Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures, both in western Japan. The ministry may pick more areas, such as for the production of sake, by the end of March. Work on the additional selection is now underway.
   Also among the 353 areas are those in Tokyo, where food makers producing baby formula have their head offices, and areas in the western prefecture of Osaka.