Seafood is one of most traded food commodities on the international market. Trade in fish and fishery products is likely to increase in the future to meet the continuing increasing demand.

Veterinary border control is a key factor to ensure that live animals and animal products entering markets are safe and meeting specific import conditions laid out in each country’s legislation.

The most important laws governing the entry of food products into Japan are the Food Sanitation Law and the Quarantine Law. Under the Food Sanitation Act and other related laws, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) lays down regulations and sets food safety standards for foods and food additives, as well as pesticide and veterinary drug residues in foods. [cont.]