Against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and climate change, a bill to revise the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which is considered the ``constitution of agricultural policy'' and includes measures to strengthen food security, was approved at a plenary session of the House of Representatives on the 26th. It has entered deliberation.
The proposed amendment to the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs adds ``ensuring food security'' to the basic principles of the law, aims for stable imports of agricultural products and agricultural materials, and strengthens the management base of agricultural corporations. The plan includes efforts to improve productivity through the use of smart technology.
At the plenary session of the House of Representatives on the 26th, the purpose of the bill was explained and a question-and-answer session was held, during which Prime Minister Kishida said, ``It is necessary to establish food security in peacetime, and if the revised bill is passed, the government will formulate a basic plan.'' "We will rebuild agricultural policy," he said, emphasizing the significance of the bill.
In response to a question about efforts to ensure a stable supply of agricultural products that rely on imports, such as wheat and soybeans, Prime Minister Kishida replied, ``The risk of importing foods, fertilizers, and feed that cannot be covered by one's own country is increasing.'' "This is also an issue. While expanding domestic agricultural production as a basic principle, we will also appropriately ensure stable imports and stockpiles by diversifying import partner countries."
In order to concretely strengthen food security, the government has submitted three bills related to the Basic Law to the Diet, including one that incorporates measures to address food shortages, and aims to have them enacted as soon as possible.