Japan considering importing pork from Vietnam

At present, Vietnamese pork imports are banned in Japan due to the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Vietnam. However, both parties have been negotiating for a number of years and the Japanese authorities are considering lifting the ban.

Regulations
Special regulations are currently being drafted by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Under these regulations, emphasis will be laid on the processing and heat-treatment phases of production.

Vietnam’s Trade Office indicated that the MAFF and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare are planning a visit to Vietnam to assess foodstuff processors there before signing an agreement.

The processed pork market in Japan is huge with over US$200m worth of imports yearly from China, US, Thailand, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Related website:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Japan

• Ministry of Health, Trade and Welfare Japan

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