Standards, Testing, Labeling and Certification
(1) Biotechnology
Starting on April 1, 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has made it an obligation to have proper labeling for genetically modified foods (GM foods) which have already passed the safety assessment processes set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), in accordance with quality labeling on the basis of JAS Law (The Law Concerning Standardization and Proper Labeling of Agricultural and Forestry Products) in order to provide consumers with information in a reliable and feasible manner. MHLW also introduced obligation to have labeling from the viewpoint of food safety on the same day.
Since Starlink corn was detected last October in processed foods made from corn imported to Japan, Starlink issue has kept consumers concerned. The U.S. Government should take necessary measures assiduously not to export to Japan genetically modified foods including Starlink corn which have not passed the safety assessment processes. The Government of Japan will carefully pay attention to how U.S. will deal with this issue.
(2) Dietary Supplements
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires applicants to submit scientific data to substantiate approval and function labeling with regard to the Food for Special Health Uses among nutritional supplements. There is no limit on the use of foreign data and information, contrary to the statement "Japan has agreed to continue to discuss the scope of using non-Japanese data and information required to evaluate and approve products."
(3) Food Additives
The Government of Japan has adopted a positive list system for food additives, which is the same system as that in other countries like the United States. Therefore, the sentence "Japan's food additive regulations remain unique...." is obviously incorrect. The Government of Japan has been taking certain measures for food additives in accordance with WTO / SPS Agreement. In March 1996, the Government of Japan established guidelines for request procedures for new designation of food additives and revision of use standards, after receiving comments from countries concerned through the WTO notification and other ways. The Government of Japan faithfully handles requests which are made in accordance with the guidelines. Thus, this system is in accordance with international rules.
(4) Fumigation Policies
Under the rules and regulations of Japan, fumigation is not applied to pests that meet certain conditions, such as a certain pest exists throughout Japan or have limited distribution while not nationally controlled. Such pests (called "non-quarantine pests") are designated in conformity with international standards i.e. the Guidelines of FAO. The list of non-quarantine pests has been properly revised from scientific and technical point of view. The Government of Japan has informed the WTO's SPS Committee (Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) of designated non-quarantine pests with the list and, therefore, the policy in this regard is transparent.
(5) Fresh Apples - Quarantine Requirements for Fireblight
The Japanese plant quarantine authorities continue to consult with those of the United States on the issues of plant quarantine measures for fireblight (such as reduction of buffer zone in specified fields).
(6) Fresh Potatoes - Golden Nematode and Potato Wart
If the U.S. plant quarantine authorities make a practical proposal on Potato cyst nematode and Potato wart, the Japanese authorities will examine the proposal.
(7) Fresh Bell Peppers and Fresh Eggplants - Tobacco blue Mold
If the U.S. plant quarantine authorities submit scientific data that proves Tobacco Blue Mold does not infect with fresh fruits of bell pepper and eggplants, the Japanese authorities will examine those data.
(8) Pesticide Residues
The MHLW has, so far, established residue standards for 214 pesticides. The MHLW has also made effort to provide the public with related information, such as the results of safety assessments of each pesticide in the relevant committees of the Council on Drugs and Food Sanitation.
(9) Third-Party Certification Requirements for Organic Food
After receiving the request by the American Embassy in Tokyo on March 30, 2001, MAFF commenced examination of equivalency of the U.S. grading system with JAS grading system.
In June, 2000, and in February, 2001, MAFF responded to the U.S. proposal (utilization of ISO Guide 65), stating that in order to register an RFCO (Registered Foreign Certification Organization), JAS Law requires some technical criteria as well as equivalency confirmation of the foreign grading system to JAS system, and, therefore, the consistency with ISO Guide 65 is not enough to allow the registration of the organization as an RFCO.
(10) Varietal Testing
The Government of Japan has already abolished previous varietal testing guidelines that were imposed on export countries as of December 31, 1999. The Government of Japan and the Government of the United States have completed technical consultations regarding the new methodology on the eight products which are hosts of codling moth. The Government of Japan is preparing to establish domestic procedures expeditiously in order to put the new quarantine measures into actual implementation. The Government of Japan expects that both governments will notify the DSB of the mutually satisfactory solution in the near future.
(11) Veterinary Drugs
The MHLW establishes maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary drugs when required documents for safety evaluation of such veterinary drugs are available. Even though there is no CODEX international standards, the MHLW establishes MRLs for veterinary drugs. While CODEX committee has not adopted international standards for some veterinary drugs including Oxytetracycline, the MHLW has already established residue standards for these drugs based on Food Sanitation Law, and the MHLW is working to establish standards for Eprinomectin and Gentamicin. The MHLW will also continue to establish MRLs for veterinary drugs.
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