Tokyo Metropolitan Stockbreeding Promotion Plan Announcement

July 6, 2006
Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs has formulated the Tokyo Metropolitan Stockbreeding Promotion Plan in order to show the future outlook of the livestock industry within metropolitan Tokyo and to serve as a guideline for the promotion of stockbreeding.

In light of the current state of the metropolitan livestock industry, the plan provides safe and secure yet unique livestock products, and promotes education about food centered around interaction between children and livestock. The plan is the first of its kind drawn up by the TMG's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs and shows an orientation towards cultivating an appealing livestock industry which will contribute to the creation of a recycling-oriented society through the reuse of livestock waste etc.

Within metropolitan Tokyo the trend of a long-term decline in the number of livestock farmers is coming to a halt.

There are also strong expectations from consumers for food safety and security. At the same time expectations are increasing for stockbreeding which can convey the importance of food and life.

The Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs is making full use of the advantage of Tokyo's stockbreeding - the fact that it “can readily reflect the diverse needs of the city” - and is working to promote stockbreeding through three different approaches.

Approaches

1. Contributing to the environment; Enhancing brand power
2. Ensuring safety and security
3. Facilitating interaction with the industry and educating about food

[Distinctive Approaches]

1. Realizing an attractive livestock operation and contributing to a recycling-oriented society

Promote the production of Tokyo brand livestock products by aiming for shipments of 20,000 head of Tokyo X (a brand of pig developed by the TMG) and 30,000 Tokyo shamo (game fowl-turned chicken with lean meat) and so on.

2. Ensuring consistent safety and security from the farm to the dinner table

Implement various activities such as research on the use of catechins to lower the dose of antibiotics in animal fodder, thorough hygiene management at stockbreeding sites, and the recording and providing of livestock production information.

3. Promoting education about food that fosters a mind which understands the importance of life and gives thanks for food

In order to provide opportunities and venues for educating about food, the Ome Stockbreeding Center will be used as a base for food education.