Rosselhoznadzor announcedIt was stated that, following China, Russia also temporarily limited imports of fish and seafood from Japan. The decision was made against the background of the emergency release of water from the Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima.
“As a precautionary measure from October 16, 2023, Rosselkhoznadzor joins the PRC’s temporary restrictive measures on imports of fish and seafood from Japan,” the agency’s website says.
As Rosselkhoznadzor stated, Tokyo must provide partners with the comprehensive information necessary to confirm the safety of products. However, in this case the restrictions can be lifted.
“Unfair decision”
According to Kyodo, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries called Rosselkhoznadzor’s decision unfair and demanded its cancellation. Later, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a similar call.
“Tightening import restrictions on Japanese seafood without scientific evidence is unfair and goes against the international movement to ease or eliminate restrictions on food imports from Japan. Russia’s latest decision is extremely regrettable and we strongly demand that this decision be rescinded.” Message Diplomatic departments.
Tokyo emphasized that it had previously made detailed statements to the international community about the safety of water discharged into the ocean from the damaged Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant and its purification technologies, as well as the safety of seafood and fish.
“Even when the Russian side suddenly requested information on October 10 and unilaterally set a deadline for supply of materials until October 16, we responded honestly and accurately, taking into account the interests of the Russian side,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Water discharge from nuclear power plants
Japanese company Tokyo Electric Power began discharging decontaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean on August 24. A total of over 1.25 million tons of water accumulated in the nuclear power plant reservoirs used to cool the reactor of the power plant, which was damaged as a result of the tsunami in March 2011. The process of releasing the fluid will take 30 years; IAEA approved the water release plan.
China has imposed restrictions on seafood imports from almost all prefectures of Japan. Rosselhoznadzor entry The enhanced control regime for fish products from Japan, however, did not completely limit supply.
Rospotrebnadzor previously did not explain No changes were found in the content of radioactive material in the Pacific Ocean water, including an excess of tritium standards. At the same time, department head Anna Popova warned that “it is useful to remember the accumulation effect.”
“The occurrence of accumulations in both bottom sediments and hydrobionts is inevitable, since the amount and volume (of discharged water – socialbites.ca) will increase,” he said.
Fishing near the Kuril Islands
Russia at the beginning of October denied Allowing Japanese fishermen to fish off the southern Kuril Islands. Octopus hunting, which usually starts in the middle of the month, is also under threat.
Previously, the Russian Foreign Ministry had not coordinated consultations on fisheries “in the context of anti-Russian measures taken by the Japanese government, which are clearly contrary to the spirit and letter of the 1998 agreement on the strengthening and development of good neighborliness.” Moscow said Tokyo was moving “at the front of the locomotive” ahead of sanctions initiatives by its Western allies.