Farm, fish products with CO2 emission cut data to hit stores in FY 09+

TOKYO, March 17 Kyodo - Vegetables and fish carrying labels showing the extent to which carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced to produce them compared with regular products will
likely hit stores in the coming fiscal year, after the farm ministry compiled
guidelines on the labels, ministry officials said Tuesday.
Under the guidelines, producers and other concerns involved in agricultural and
fishery products are allowed to display CO2 emission cuts in their operations
in various ways on stickers and labels to be attached to the products,
including the percentage, a number of stars and the actual amount of emissions.
For wooden products, they may show the amount of carbon stored in them.
CO2 emissions can be reduced in the agricultural sector by cuts in the use of
fertilizers, shorter transportation of products and other measures. The
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will encourage producers, food
companies and other concerns to show the results of their emission reduction
efforts on the labels of their products.
Although different forms of data on reductions may confuse consumers, they will
facilitate data disclosure designed to enhance public awareness of the need to
fight global warming, the officials said.
Retailers are expected to begin selling agricultural and fishery products with
such data in fiscal 2009 starting in April.