Import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan

To further limit possible risks to the safety of the EU food chain, due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the EU published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 284/2012. The regulation reinforces controls on imports of food and feed from certain regions of Japan where production of feed and food could be affected by the accident.

From 27 March 2011, imports of all feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan can only enter the UK through specific ports and airports where official controls will be carried out. Products of animal origin can only enter through Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) and products of non-animal origin can only enter through Designated Points of Entry (DPE). A list of BIPs be found at the links towards the end of this page.

Certain measures apply to most feed and food originating in or consigned from 11 prefectures of Japan, including the four most affected by the accident. The prefectures listed in the regulation are: Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Miyagi, Yamanashi, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Shizuoka.

Most feed and food products from these prefectures intended to be imported to the EU must be tested before leaving Japan and are subject to random testing in the EU. The exceptions are for certain sake, whiskey and shochu. It is also a requirement for feed and food products from the remaining 36 prefectures to be accompanied by a declaration stating the prefecture of origin and be randomly tested upon arrival in the EU. The European Commission will review these measures every month.
The main requirements of the regulation for imports of feed and food destined for the EU are that:

• Each consignment of food or feed from the 11 prefectures must be accompanied by a declaration – signed by the Japanese authorities, attesting that the product complies with legislation in force in Japan, does not contain levels of radioactive elements known as radionuclides that exceed the EU's maximum levels. The regulation makes specific reference to the following radionuclides: caesium-134 and caesium-137. The declarations must be accompanied by the results of analysis.
• Each consignment of food or feed from other prefectures must be accompanied by a declaration signed by the Japanese authorities attesting that the product is from prefectures other than the specified 11.
• Importers are required to notify the BIP or DPE at the port of entry two working days before the arrival of each consignment of food and feed from Japan.

As regards food and feed harvested/produced after 11 March 2011, the measures provide that:

• Upon arrival in the EU, the competent authorities of the BIP or DPE should carry out documentary and identity checks on all food and feed consignments from Japan. Consignments must be accompanied by the declaration and, from the specified prefectures, the results of analysis
• Each consignment should be identified by a code on the declaration, analytical report, the sanitary (health) certificate and on any commercial documents accompanying the consignment

Identity and physical checks, including laboratory analysis, should be carried out on:

• at least 5% of the consignments of food or feed where the product originates in from the 11 prefectures mentioned above*
• at least 10% of the consignments of food or feed where the product originates in and is consigned from the remaining 36 prefectures in Japan
• at least 10% of the consignments where the product is consigned from, but does not originate in, the 11 prefectures mentioned above

*This also applies to products caught or harvested in the coastal waters of these prefectures.

Products that are found to exceed the maximum levels shall not be placed on the market and will either be safely disposed of or returned to Japan.

Food and feed products that were harvested or processed before 11 March 2011 are not affected by the provisions of this regulation. Nevertheless, it is a requirement for feed and food products from all of Japan's territory to be accompanied by a declaration stating clearly that they were harvested/processed before 11 March 2011.