Philippines limits imports of plants, fruits, vegetables from Japan

The Philippine government has banned the importation of planting materials and plant products such as fruits and vegetables from six prefectures considered to be affected by radiation in Japan, an official said Wednesday.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said Wednesday that based on the assessment of the Bureau of Plant Industry, "there may be risk of increased levels of radiation-contamination of plants, planting materials and plant products in Japan."

Alcala said the government is temporarily suspending the issuance of plant quarantine clearance for the importation of plants, planting materials, and plant products such as fruits and vegetables from the prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Iwata, and Miyagi was temporarily suspended.

He stressed the importance of food safety and of protecting the consuming public from harm that may be caused by radiation- contaminated agriculture and fisheries products.

The government issued the ban on the basis of a report of the Philippine embassy in Tokyo that the earthquake in Japan has resulted in serious nuclear accident at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant which may have affected the radionuclide levels of food, water, and the atmosphere.

Source: Xinhua

 

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