The next WTO agricultural negotiations are going to start at the very time when the new century is beginning. Our Forum consists of the people who have interests in all issues related to food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries as well as the environment, including scholars, celebrities in cultural sectors, journalists and representatives of consumer groups, labor unions, food industries and farm organizations in Japan. We believe that the outcome of the upcoming WTO negotiations will affect not only farmers' but also citizens' lives in all countries of the world.

We would like to send a message to all agricultural producers and consumers in the world to call for a coalition at the beginning of the WTO negotiations.

1. Confronted with global environmental conditions such as the desertification by 1700 million hectares every year, the Greenhouse Effect, the hole in the Ozone Layer, and the impact of a growing population of 6 billion, we must be further aware of limited global resources, concerns on food safety, and the food supply crisis. Looking at the upcoming 21st Century, it is important to challenge, in global perspective, issues such as population, food, environment and energy. Because of the unpredictable situation arising from the above issues, safety and reliability will be critical for all of us.

2. Especially, securing a safe and reliable food supply, as this is related to both survival and our way of life, is an increasingly important issue with global implications. Currently, Japan is the world's largest food importer, because of its geographical limitations to secure agricultural land, and with a self-sufficiency rate which has decreased to 41% on a caloric basis. Under this situation, one of our major challenges is to maintain and effectively utilize domestic resources for food production and to collaborate between production and consumption sectors in order to maintain and improve self-sufficiency of food. As far as production is concerned, it is necessary to establish a system of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which prevents environmental damage as much as possible, and which is therefore multifunctional in nature. Furthermore, the priority should be on ensuring the right to secure food safety and guaranteeing consumer choice, which also requires international disciplines that respect various food consumption patterns in the world. As far as GMO products are concerned, it is necessary to establish rules, which respect the consumers' right to secure food safety and the right to know how GMOs are being used in all stages of food production including processing and marketing .

3. We believe it is necessary to establish a set of rules that are genuinely fair and equitable for both importing and exporting countries as well as for developed and developing countries, so as to allow the coexistence of the various types of agriculture in each country of the world. To realize those goals, we must consider, first of all, the importance of the multi-functionality of agriculture and different natural conditions of agriculture in each country. Second, due consideration should be given to the fact that domestic production should be the basis for food security. Third, it is important to secure restoration of the balance of rights and obligations between food-importing and -exporting countries. Finally, it is important to respect the right of consumers to secure the safety of food and the right to know, through consumers' participation.

4. Special characteristics of forestry and fisheries products make them different from non-agricultural goods in that they are recyclable, exhaustible natural resources. Therefore, furthering free trade of those products without any appropriate resource management will lead to global exhaustion of resources and environmental destruction. In considering trade rules on forestry and fisheries, it is essential to take due consideration of the importance of global environmental conservation and of a sustainable way of utilizing these resources.

Food and environment are the very resources necessary for survival and maintaining our way of life. Moreover, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, rural societies' issues, are becoming more interrelated on a regional, national and international plane. We are calling for regarding such issues as part of the same solution so that we can pass on to the next generation safe and reliable food, a sustainable natural environment, and a culture appreciative of food consumption patterns in each country.

Food, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Forum was organized on March 18, 1999, as an NGO. Its objective is to share views and promote mutual understanding among member individuals and organizations on food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environment issues, so as to promote safe and stable food supply, and sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural societies.

As of November, 1999, it consists of the following 14 individuals and 33 organizations :
Dr. Shosaburo Kimura, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University
Mr. Wahei Tatematsu, Literature Writer
Dr. Isoshi Kajii, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Dr. Susumu Yamaji, Professor, Tokai University
Mr. Masaoki Kojima, Inspector, Research Institute on the National Economy
Ms. Mie Hama, Actress, Journalist on Agriculture
Dr. Shinji Hattori , Professor, Toyo University
Mr. Yasuhiko Nakamura, Chairman, Japan Agricultural Journalists' Association
Dr. Takeshi Hara, Professor, Waseda University
Dr. Yasuhiko Kishi, Professor, Ehime University
Dr. Mieko Kenjo, Professor, Aomori University
Masami Furuno, Director, Japan Agricultural Journalists' Association
Dr. Terutake Yabiki,lecturer,Chiba agricultural college
Mr.Fuyuji Doumon, Literature Writer

Food，Agriculture，Forestry　and　Fisheries，and　Environment　Forum
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