Category Archives: Food & Agriculture

  The United States Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday, May 29 (Thursday, May 30 Japan time), that unapproved genetically modified wheat was discovered in a farm in Oregon, a northwestern state of the U.S. The wheat found in Oregon is resistant to herbicides. “We are taking this situation very seriously,” said Michael Firko of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, adding that they have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances, such as the range of its growth, in detail. 90% of wheat grown in Oregon is exported to other countries including Japan. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which imports wheat through government-controlled trade, decided to suspend … Continue reading →

  The World Organization for Animal Health on Tuesday, May 28 (Wednesday, May 29, Japan time), recognized Japan as having “negligible risk” of BSE, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which means Japanese beef is classified into the safest category with regard to the disease. The organization’s decision came as the Japanese government and industry made thoroughgoing efforts in implementing safety measures and regulating cattle feed. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to appeal the safety of Japanese beef at home and abroad, and the recognition will give Japan a rationale to ask the countries which have banned imports of Japanese-raised beef to drop their embargo. Agricultural minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed … Continue reading →

  Senior Staff Writer, Masaru Yamada Traditional food products which are unique to certain regions have to be protected from counterfeiting. One of the systems used to safeguard such products is the protection of geographical indications or GI. In Japan, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has been working on legislating GI protection since last summer, but the procedure has been dead-locked by conflicting interests among the government. Without being able to unravel the tangled situation at home, Japan went on to negotiate separately with the United States and the European Union, which have totally opposite stances regarding GI protection, and are stuck between pressures from both sides. “One of … Continue reading →

  Zhezhu Jin The South Korean government plans to expand and strengthen its country of origin labeling system for food starting Friday, June 28. It will increase the number of food items subject for labeling at restaurants. As for processed food, labeling will be required for chili powder used in Kimchi made with Napa cabbage, a national dish of South Korea. Stricter standards will be introduced for beef which can be labeled as domestically produced. The measures are aimed at ensuring consumers’ rights to be informed of the source of food products, as well as making it easier for them to choose domestic products amid increasing liberalization of imports of … Continue reading →