The Brazilian delegation - composed of Agriculture Defense Secretary Enio Marques and Secretary of International Relations, Celio Porto - attended a meeting with the deputy minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Japan, Hiroko Nakano, Wednesday 29 August, in Tokyo.

The MAFF representative promised that an effort will be made to complete the process within 60 days. She said a mission of ministerial level, including exporters, will visit Brazil in November or early December to formalise the first shipments.

"The start of pork exports to Japan will mean opening the planet's largest import market for a particular type of meat (pork, in this case). It will be a crucial step to consolidate trade relations between the third biggest exporter of agricultural products importer and the fourth," said Mr Porto.

The secretaries also discussed the creation of the Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) Brazil-Japan which will meet periodically to discuss the pending issues of bilateral interest.

Japan is the leading importer of poultry meat from Brazil, the country is a major buyer of Brazilian coffee. Regarding the grain, the two governments are negotiating to set new limits over Flutriafol, a defensive agent applied to control rust.