Japan Requires PED Inspection of Live Pigs Before Import
JAPAN - Live pigs imported into Japan from the United States and Canada are subject to new certification requirements to stop the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED).
4 August 2014
2 minute read
By: Japan has told a World Trade Organization committee that the new rules are to combat the spread of PED virus, reports WNAX.
Iowa Pork Producers President, Jamie Schmidt, says he thinks Japan’s concerns are valid but trade officials need to make sure it doesn’t become a long term trade barrier.
Mr Schmidt does not think Japan is trying to manipulate the market or just coming up with a stiff stance like they have done with the Transpacific Trade Partnership (TPP), where they want special treatment. He says most producers like himself need to follow good trade practices or those markets will be lost in the future.
Under the new Japanese requirements, exporters will need to certify their swine come from facilities in which there has been no clinical evidence of PED virus for at least 12 months.
The WNAX report adds that exported pigs also must test negative for PED virus during their period of isolation and inspection prior to export.
