After an 11-year ban, the government has decided to adjust restrictions on import of Japanese food products according to a scientific basis, Cabinet Spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng said.
Japan has progressively reduced food risks by adopting domestic restrictions that are tougher than international standards over the past 11 years. As a result, over 40 countries around the world, including all 11 members of the Comprehensive Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, have completely lifted restrictions on imports of Japanese food products, Lo said.
Taiwan will align with global food safety practices by using scientific inspection and higher-than-international regulatory standards. The government will adopt measures to focus bans on specific products, require proof of radiation testing and origin, as well as conduct batch-by-batch border inspection of food products from Fukushima and four nearby prefectures, Lo added.
Following the massive earthquake and nuclear disaster that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, many countries took emergency measures to ban imports of foods from Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. (DL-E)
