EU lifts restrictions on Japanese food imports

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium

The lifting of the measures follows the positive results of checks carried out by Japan and EU member states on products imported from the country.

Since imposing these restrictions in 2011 to protect human health from the risk of radioactive contamination from imported food and feed, the EC has reviewed them every two years and gradually relaxed the measures as the risk decreases.

The last review took place in September 2021 and the EC has limited pre-export checks to wild mushrooms, some fish and edible wild plants.

Even after the restrictions were fully lifted, the Japanese government must continue to monitor domestic production of radioactive materials, including fish, seafood products and seaweed near the contaminated cooling water discharge site.

Speaking to reporters, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides said the favorable control results in recent years demonstrate the strong commitment and cooperation of Japanese partners.

EU member states have unanimously adopted a decision to lift these restrictions.

According to VNA