Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-06-24

Premier Lin Chuan has told Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun that Taiwan has no timetable for lifting a ban on food imports from five Japanese prefectures.

The ban was put in place after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster over concerns about radiation. The ban covers Fukushima as well as four neighboring prefectures.

Lin said that while scientific testing and risk assessments have been completed, the government has faced difficulties convincing the public that food from the affected areas is safe. He said any move to lift the ban must be taken step by step.

Lin said that controversies surrounding food safety in Taiwan often result from problems with Taiwan’s own food safety system. He said these controversies aren’t necessarily directed at products from a specific country or area. He said the government’s credibility on food safety issues is often challenged, showing that official efforts to address food safety concerns have not been enough.    [FULL  STORY]