Copa President Martin Merrild said “It is good news for EU producers that this ambitious trade deal has been wrapped up. We believe that opening the Japanese market will benefit in particular the European meat and dairy products sectors, as well as wine and high value added processed products. We also believe that it will have a positive impact on both economies as we share the same goal of wanting to ensure a sustainable agriculture sector with high quality, safe food as well as having family farms”
Cogeca President Thomas Magnusson said “It is welcome news that Japan has agreed to respect the EU system of Geographical Indications (GIs) to protect our high quality agri-food products from imitations. As many as 105 products will be protected. This agreement will also not seriously threaten Japans’ own food production based on the same family farming model as in the EU. In fact, rice - the main Japanese concern - is completely excluded from the agreement. It will also send a positive signal to trade partners to reach other balanced trade deals”.
ment. It will also send a positive signal to trade partners to reach other balanced trade deals”.
Under the agreement, tariffs will be gradually reduced for beef and the minimum entry price for pork will be steadily dismantled. There will also be full trade liberalization for hard cheeses and increased tariff rate quotas for other dairy produce. For wine, there will be full trade liberalisation.
