Following on from the EU relaxing their regulation of food imports from Fukushima prefecture last Saturday 9 January, Singapore is also reviewing whether to ease curbs on food imports from the area.
Visiting Japanese Agriculture Minister Hiroshi Moriyama had requested that Singapore ease these restrictions during talks there with National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Sunday 10 January.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said it was reviewing the restrictions. A spokesman said: "The AVA will adopt a science-based approach in its assessment, with food safety for Singaporeans as the key priority."
As part of its review of Japan's request, it is studying the EU's import conditions, the AVA added.
The AVA banned the import of some food products from 11 prefectures after the Fukushima incident.
In 2014, some restrictions, on items such as fruit from eight prefectures, were lifted following an inspection and "comprehensive risk assessment" of food from Japan, said the AVA. Bans on some agricultural produce were also lifted.
Agricultural produce from areas in Fukushima with high radioactive contamination or areas near the nuclear power plant cannot be imported. A Certificate of Origin is required for all food products from Japan so that their prefecture of origin can be identified.
Source: straitstimes.com
