Abolishment of Radiation Testing Certification for Seafood in 10 Prefectures Adjacent to Nuclear Accident Site
Expectations Raised for Persuading Korea and China Amid Food Safety Concerns
The European Union (EU) is considering completely lifting the import restrictions on Japanese food products that were implemented following the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident.
On the 30th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) and Kyodo News reported, citing EU sources, that the European Commission is conducting final coordination efforts to abolish the import restrictions on Japanese products, aiming to obtain member state approval by the end of next month.
Since introducing import restrictions in March 2011, the EU has required certificates verifying radioactive substance inspections for products from 10 prefectures adjacent to the accident area, including fish and wild mushrooms from Fukushima Prefecture and bamboo shoots from Miyagi Prefecture. Even for food produced in prefectures outside the restricted areas, certificates proving production outside the regulated zones were required.
If the restrictions are lifted this time, there will be no need to submit either radioactive substance inspection certificates or food origin certificates.
Nikkei reported, "The EU had been promoting a phased relaxation of the restrictions, but the European Parliament’s opposition to easing policies delayed complete abolition." It is also known that the issue was discussed at the summit held on the 29th.
The EU plans to secure member state approval before Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the Brussels headquarters in Belgium for a summit on the 13th of next month. During the summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Kishida is scheduled to hold talks with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Discussions about the import restrictions are expected to take place at this meeting.
The Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed the background of the EU’s decision, stating, "Originally, there was strong caution regarding imports from Fukushima, but as voices calling for improved relations with Japan grew louder, the executive body pushed for complete abolition."
Japanese media responded positively, saying that the EU’s decision to lift import restrictions will be a boon for expanding exports of Japanese food products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already decided to lift import restrictions in 2021. If the EU follows suit, countries like Norway and Switzerland, which had introduced restrictions in connection with the EU, are also expected to join in lifting them. Considering this, the number of countries imposing import restrictions on Japanese food products will drastically decrease from the current 12 to 7.
Meanwhile, there is also anticipation that the EU’s decision could influence public opinion in South Korea, where concerns about Japanese food products remain high. Nikkei noted, "In South Korea and China, which continue food restrictions, opposition to the release of contaminated water is affecting food import negotiations," and added, "The Japanese government will take the EU’s lifting of restrictions as an opportunity to once again emphasize the safety of Japanese food products."
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