Japan: Review of Food Sanitation Law.
Description
Japan is currently reviewing its standards and specifications for foods and food additives under its Food Sanitation Law. It is expected to result in a list of new maximum residual levels (MRL) for the following substances: imicyafos, pyrasulfotole, destomycin A and terdecamycin.
The imported products implicated by this review are stated in a notification by Japan to the WTO and include: Meat and edible meat offal; Dairy and eggs; Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers; Edible fruits; and Cereals.
The motivation for this review were two major food scandals in Japan in 2008, the second of which resulted in the resignation of Japan’s agriculture minister. Consequently, food labelling laws were toughened in Japan and a review of food sanitation law promised.
Any Evidence-Based Deliberation:
| Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Is there anything in the public record to suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed measure was considered during official deliberations? | No |
| Is there any evidence that alternatives to the proposed measure were considered? | No |
| Is there anything in the public record that suggests that empirical evidence informed the comparison across the alternatives available to government? | No |
| Was such evidence identified? | No |
| Is such evidence publicly available? | Don't Know |
| Did the official decision-maker in question provide an explanation as to why a chosen measure was favoured over alternatives? | No |
| Is there any evidence to suggest that potentially affected trading partners were consulted before the measures were taken? | No |
| Is there any evidence that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that implementation of the initiative is transparent and non-discriminatory? | No |
| Did the government state its intention to review the measure within one year of implementation? | No |
Date Discovered: 01/07/2009
Implemented: No
Date of inception:
GTA Evaluation: Amber
Source:
Notification to the WTO no. G/SPS/N/JPN/229, 13 May 2009
Government Response:
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