In an effort to allay fears of radioactive contamination of fresh produce, the Japanese government will implement a system to label all farm produce with its place of origin.
According to a report in the Independent, the country has registered a sharp decline in exports, particularly from its northern region, following the 11 March earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant to leak radioactive material.
The government has subsequently banned the sale of spinach and other vegetables from the Fukushima prefecture after produce from the region registered high levels of radiation.
The Japanese foreign minister Takeaki Matsumoto said at a press conference recently the country would honestly relay the extent of the problem to other nations.
“We will fully inform other countries of the condition of the Fukushima plant and try to prevent excessive reactions of unjust import bans,” he said.
He added that any import bans should be based on international scientific standards.
The Kyodo news agency reported last week Japanese delegates were expected to ask WTO member countries to abide by regulations laid out by the organisation that bar trade restriction not based on scientific grounds.
