Unapproved U.S. GM Corn Found at Japanese Ports

Bt10, a strain of genetically modified corn not approved in Japan, has been found in shipments from the United States of corn for animal feed, according to an announcement on June 1, 2005 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). MAFF says that Bt10 corn, which was detected before customs clearance, will not enter the nation's feed distribution channels. In response to the discovery of this corn, the ministry will strengthen import inspections to cover all vessels containing U.S. corn.

Bt10 corn was found in the shipments unloaded at five ports, including Nagoya and Tomakomai ports, in May and June 2005. Under the Law Concerning Safety Assurance and Quality Improvement of Feed (also known as the Feed Safety Law), the Fertilizer and Feed Inspection Services, an independent administrative agency, conducted the on-site inspections in port silos. The quantity of corn that tested positive for Bt10 is 13,138 tons as of July 12, 2005.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has been conducting monitoring inspections on samples of U.S. corn (in particular, a variety known as "dent corn") for human consumption at ports of entry since May 9, 2005. Although no Bt10 corn has been found in this type of corn so far, the MHLW has announced that it will step up inspections by testing every U.S. corn shipment, category by category. This action was prompted by MAFF's official announcement on Bt10 detected in U.S. corn for livestock feed.

About 90 percent of imported U.S. dent corn for human consumption is said to consist of non-GM varieties that were grown and handled separately.



Posted: 2005/10/12 06:10:43 PM
Japanese version