EDITORIAL: Livestock disaster

"This is a national crisis," said Prime Minister Naoto Kan earlier this month when he visited Miyazaki Prefecture, which was devastated by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock. He has since repeatedly stressed in the Diet the dire nature of the situation.

It goes without saying that it is not just the local communities that are affected by the epidemic. It is no exaggeration to say that the unprecedented epidemic is the most severe to ravage Japan's livestock industry. We urge the prime minister to stay true to his own understanding of the situation and lead the way so that the government can keep the epidemic from spreading.

On April 20, a cow believed to be infected was found in Tsuno, Miyazaki Prefecture. A speedy reaction is the key to containing the spread of further infections, and both the central and Miyazaki prefectural governments worked to the hilt to contain the outbreak.

However, the infection has finally spread to as far as Miyakonojo, 50 kilometers away from Tsuno. It is clear that the containment measures taken so far were insufficient.

What is necessary for a more effective response?

First, there must be coordination that supersedes any barriers of administrative jurisdictions. A lack of coordination between central and prefectural governments or among ministries of the central government, which results from vertically integrated administration, often hinders effective and rapid response. If response is too slow, then the damage can spread and become more serious.

It is necessary for the relevant institutions to exchange information rapidly and in detail, and establish a joint-response system. It will take too much time to leave all that to the respective institutions. Timely decisions need to be made under strong political leadership.

The biggest problem for the affected areas is that they still have about 15,000 infected animals that must be culled. Because places to bury destroyed animals have already been secured, there must be a cull of these animals as soon as possible, for they risk spreading the virus.

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks happen all over the world. In Britain, which experienced a major outbreak, quarantine measures were tightened with positive results. It is important to learn from the most up-to-date experiences. We urge the government to consult with many experts and use their expertise.

We already know from genetic analysis that the virus is very similar to a type that is spreading in South Korea and Hong Kong. It is possible that the virus entered Japan via livestock or persons.

If so, the epidemic may also affect other areas. If they do discover further infections, how will officials cull huge numbers of livestock and where will they bury them?

Thorough preparations must be made for all contingencies, while the example of Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, which succeeded in early containment, and other useful experiences must be learned.

Moreover, even if the epidemic shows signs of abating in the affected locations, the anxieties of livestock farmers about rebuilding their futures will not simply disappear. They will have to go about two years, the time it takes to buy new cattle, fatten it up and sell it, without any income.

The farmers will be rebuilding their livelihoods from scratch, and so the government should support and compensate them as much as possible. The future of Japan's livestock industry hangs upon this fight.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 19