DA sees no need to ban Japanese food imports

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Agriculture (DA) does not see the need to impose a ban on food imports – particularly fish products – from Japan in spite of the continued release of contaminated water into the sea from the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Japanese television network NHK said Japanese authorities have reported that aside from radioactive iodide 131 – which has a half life of only eight days, cesium – which has a half life of 30 years – has also been detected.

In an interview with newsmen, DA spokesman Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup said the DA remains vigilant in monitoring food imports from Japan even though it has not imposed a ban yet.

 Salacup pointed out that the DA has at least three quarantine inspectors – coming from the Bureaus of Animal Industry, Plant Industry and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – in all ports of entry.

At the same time, Salacup pointed out that, Japan is obliged to inform all its international trading partners if there is any radioactive contamination of its food exports.

 “Officially, we have not received any notice from our counterparts in Japan,” Salacup said, adding that there is a process for such notification as contained in the Philippines’ international agreement with Japan.

Salacup said the Philippines, imports a substantial amount of mackerel (for sardine manufacturing) from Japanese fishing vessels.

 The Philippines also imports the so-called “Fuji” apples and dried seaweed wrappers or “nori”.

 However, according to Salacup, “the mackerel is caught in tropical waters and not in the area where the tsunami and tragic event occurred.”

 Furthermore, Salacup said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) have their own quarantine systems in place at all ports of entry.

 Salacup said the DA conducts inspections and random samplings of all agricultural products imported from Japan.

 The DA, along with the Department of Health, is on “heightened alert,” he said.

 “Don’t worry, we are on guard 24/7 for all these products that are coming in,” he added.

 The balance of trade between the Philippines and Japan is in the favor of the Philippines.

 Salacup said the Philippines, , exports around $450 million worth of fruits (bananas, mangoes) and vegetables (okra, asparagus) to Japan, while Japan exports only around $200 million worth of fish products and fruits to the Philippines.