Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-10-11

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has told lawmakers that the government has no plans

(CNA file photo)

to ease restrictions on imports of Japanese food products. Chen’s remarks Wednesday come after reports in the Japanese media that Taiwan and Japan are negotiating a loosening of restrictions. Taiwan continues to ban the import of food products originating in Fukushima and several neighboring Japanese prefectures. The ban was put in place following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

Chen told members of the Legislature’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee that the issue is one of trade. But Chen also said that the health ministry’s position puts food safety and public health first.    [FULL  STORY]