MOSCOW, September 26 Rosselkhoznadzor, due to the risks of radiation contamination after the discharge of water from the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, is considering the possibility of joining China's restrictive measures regarding Japanese fish products , the department reported.
«Taking into account the possible risks of radiation contamination of products, Rosselkhoznadzor is considering the possibility of joining Chinese restrictions on the supply of fish products from Japan. The final decision will be made after negotiations with the Japanese side,» the message says.
Japan began discharging into the ocean water accumulated as a result of cooling the emergency reactors of the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, in which nuclear fuel melted, on August 24. The IAEA said plans to release this water into the ocean, which would take 30 years, were fully consistent with international standards. China, being the main importer of Japanese seafood, has introduced a total ban on their import and processing.
The Service indicates that the parties discussed the position regarding the radiation safety of fish products exported by Japan at a meeting of the Russian-Chinese permanent working group on cooperation in the field of veterinary, phytosanitary control and food safety.
“Rosselkhoznadzor sent a letter to the veterinary service of Japan about the need for negotiations, and also with a request to provide, by October 16, information on the methods used in the country for radiological studies of exported fish products, including the residual content of the radioactive isotope of hydrogen — tritium,” it says in the message.
There are no approved methods for determining tritium in aquatic products in the Russian Federation, the service notes, and it is necessary to develop them in cooperation with competent scientific organizations. Currently, the volume of exports of fish products from Japan to Russia is insignificant — for example, 190 tons were supplied in 2022, and 118 tons this year until September 22. “At the same time, Russian vessels in the area bordering Japanese waters catch a significant amount of fish,” the message notes.