和牛生産、倍増の３０万トンに　政府、日米協定で農家支援

　政府は１０日、農林水産業・地域の活力創造本部（本部長・安倍晋三首相）の会合を開き、日米貿易協定の発効などをにらみ、国内農業の基盤強化策を盛り込んだ新計画をまとめた。米国や中国への輸出拡大が見込まれる和牛の生産目標を２０３５年度までに現状の約２倍に当たる３０万トンに増やすのが柱。輸入品と競合する加工・業務用野菜の出荷にも力を入れ、農家への支援を手厚くする。
　首相は会合で「成長産業化をさらに進め、若者が夢や希望を持てる農林水産新時代を切り開いていく」とあいさつした。（2019/12/10-17:54）

The government adopted on Tuesday a new program to consolidate the foundation of Japan's agriculture, particularly seeking to double "wagyu" beef production to 300,000 tons by fiscal 2035.
   Demand from the United States for the marbling beef is expected to grow, after a low-tariff quota for Japanese beef exports to the country is increased from 200 tons to some 65,000 tons when the Japan-U.S. trade agreement takes effect on Jan. 1.
   In addition, Japan may need to meet robust demand from China, as Beijing is expected to lift a ban on Japanese beef imports it imposed following the outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan in 2001.
   The government has found it necessary to boost wagyu production before cattle farmers get too old amid the aging of the country's farming population, people familiar with the matter said.
   To this end, the government will provide subsidies to farmers newly raising breeding cattle and promote production of more fertilized eggs under the program, compiled by a task force headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.