EU Agriculture Commissioner to visit Japan

EU News 124/2016

14 April 2016

Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, will be visiting Japan from 20 to 25 April for bilateral meetings and to represent the European Union at the G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in the city of Niigata.

For the first leg of his trip, Commissioner Hogan will be accompanied by a business delegation comprising representatives of 45 European agri-food companies and associations, showcasing their products and looking for opportunities to tap into the Japanese market.

During his stay in Tokyo, Commissioner Hogan will be holding meetings with a range of Japanese interlocutors from political, governmental and industry circles to discuss issues of common interest.

Ahead of his visit, the Commissioner said: "I am delighted to have a first-hand opportunity to grasp the reality of Japan's food market, its consumers' habits and expectations, and especially its aspiration for quality products. Europe provides a vast variety of high-quality agricultural products that can meet and satisfy the most demanding, but also curious, consumers. Addressing common challenges through efficient policies so that we can ensure sustainability of agriculture also for future generations is a topic on which I look forward to exchanging views with Minister Hiroshi Moriyama. I am confident that we will also constructively contribute to the ambitious G7 agenda set by Japan under the current Presidency".

Japan was the fifth-largest importer of EU agricultural and processed agricultural products in 2015, receiving 4.1% of all EU agricultural exports. The main EU agricultural exports to Japan include pork, wines and spirits, cheese, chocolate and sugar confectionery and other processed agricultural goods. The EU imports from Japan mainly soups and sauces, vegetable products (vegetable seeds), as well as food and cereal preparations. The EU and Japan have been engaged since 2013 in negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement.

On the occasion of his visit, two media opportunities have been planned as follows:

• Launch event for the 'Tastes of Europe - Restaurant Week'
Date:  Wednesday, 20 April
Time: 19:30- (doors open at 19:15)
Place: Room 'Tachibana', 2F, Palace Hotel (1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku)

• Press conference
Date:  Thursday, 21 April
Time: 13:30- (doors open at 13:15)
Place: Room 'Aurora', B1F, ANA InterContinental Tokyo (1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku)
Language:       Japanese/English interpretation provided

The above events are limited to members of the media. Those interested in attending are requested to register by 17:00 on Monday, 18 April.

 

For more information, please contact:
Mari Koseki             Tel: 03-5422-6034 / Mari.Koseki@eeas.europa.eu
Miwako Suetsune    Tel: 03-5422-6035 / Miwako.Suetsune@eeas.europa.eu

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