Japan to Tighten Control over Import and Quarantine Detection

On Oct. 9, 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) released “Enforcement Ordinance for Control on Diseases and Animal Species Subject to Import Quarantine and Detention Period”, which will be open for public consultation until Dec. 8, 2015.

Applicable scope:

This Ordinance mainly applies to aquatic animals, including:

• Live aquatic animals

• Aquatic animals that are not alive and are intended for aquaculture (including processed products but excluding fish meal and fish oil)

Overseas enterprises who intend to export aquatic animals to Japan are required to obtain permission from MAFF. They shall also submit the health certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country, which shall include information on the aquatic animal management system of the exporting country, the inspection method and the handling method of animals during the shipment.

Risk assessments on important infectious diseases will be conducted to prevent the spread of diseases that could potentially damage Japanese aquaculture. The diseases and animal species subject to import quarantine and detention period are formulated based on the risk assessment results in the attachment.