December 27, 2019

Japan switches to random safety tests from blanket radiation testing for cattle in Fukushima

The move follows nonexistence of high radiation levels in cattle in more than six years, as Fukushima follows new measures already in place in Miyagi, Iwate and Tochigi prefectures, reported The Asahi Shimbun.

Since the nuclear disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, blanket radiation inspections have been implemented on the above prefectures for cattle.

33 other prefectures, which have volunteered to inspect cattle for health and safety, have also made the switch to random safety tests.

The switch was announced by Fukushima prefectural authorities in a meeting with beef producers and distributors in attendance on December 23, 2019. The decision will be formally approved in January 2020.

The new plan will inspect one cattle per year in each farm, with exceptions in place for zones where radiation levels are still high.

For old cattle slaughtered for beef, blanket radiation testing will still be carried out.

However, a prefecture survey found that 45.9 respondents still want blanket radiation testing to be carried out on cattle.

The Farm Ministry said only 159 cattle have been found to exceed the minimum radiation standard in Japan, with no cattle reported to have exceeded the radiation standard since April 2013.

-      The Asahi Shimbun