July 12, 2012

EU likely to ease Japanese seafood import curbs

EU may start easing restrictions this autumn on seafood imports from Japan brought about by radioactive pollution fears, following March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, as indicated by a visiting European commissioner Wednesday (July 11), Japanese officials said.

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki made the indication in a meeting with Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Akira Gunji in Tokyo, they said.

Damanaki told Gunji that Japanese and EU data now suggest there is little risk of radioactive pollution and that she will instruct EU authorities to review the present radioactive pollution monitoring system, the officials said.

The current EU restrictions require member countries to conduct random sampling checks on food imports from Japan. Imports from Fukushima, Tokyo and 10 other eastern Japan prefectures must be accompanied by radiation test certificates issued by the Japanese government

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