March 23, 2007

Indonesia says Japan using non-tariff barriers to protect shrimp market

Japan is still denying entry to Indonesia's agricultural and industrial products with non-tariff barriers, especially in products such as frozen shrimp, Indonesia's Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu said.

Indonesia's frozen shrimp shipments had been detained by the Japanese Quarantine Agency since December last year on suspicion of having contained antibiotic residue.

The minister said the requirement was an example of a non-tariff barrier used by Japan.

Indonesian exporters have met with Japanese authorities and were clear on the standards required but these standards were hardly attainable in Indonesia, she said.

Tokyo also imposed strict residue limits on Indonesian products such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and spices, the minister said. Japan also requires environment-related documents for wood and pulp imports from Indonesia.