Canada and Japan’s Agriculture Minister Issue Joint Statement

On April 24, 2023, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), at the G7 Miyazaki Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirmed the importance of food security.  The statement comes in light of the situation after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, where some of the global food supply chains were disrupted, and confirms the necessity to further encourage efforts to realize greater sustainability in agriculture production and food systems.

Their statement noted that they have reached a common understanding that the two countries will cooperate in the following points:

· Sharing information on measures taken by the two governments to ensure resilient, sustainable agriculture and food systems to support food security;

· Strengthening governmental cooperation through information exchanges that maintain Canada’s position as a reliable supplier of agricultural products and inputs, and support the ongoing efforts of those responsible for the trade of these commodities between Canada and Japan; and

· Establishing the Japan/Canada Governmental Cooperation Dialogue of Agriculture and Food, to be regularly held for the implementation of the above 1), and 2).