Japan Close to Resuming Pork Imports from Cheju Island

Tokyo, June 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is in the
final stages of work toward resuming pork imports from South Korea's Cheju
island more than for years after they were suspended due to a hog cholera
outbreak, Jiji Press learned Saturday.
Tokyo recently received explanations from the South Korean
government about its measures against the fatal swine disease, informed
sources said.
In addition, Japan sent an inspection team to the South Korea
island last month, according to the sources.
A subcommittee of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Ministry's Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies Council will hold a
meeting next month to examine the safety of Cheju island pork, the sources
said.
If the government gives its final go-ahead, imports are likely to
restart by the end of this year, the sources said. Japan suspended pork
imports from the island in November 2004 in the wake of the cholera scare.
The South Korean government in 2005 asked Japan to resume imports
after taking preventive measures.
The two countries fully started work toward the import resumption
late last year. Still, Japan will not permit pork imports from other parts
of South Korea because safety conditions in these areas do not meet Japan's
criteria, according to the sources.
The hog cholera causes such symptoms as fever and diarrhea, with
most infected pigs destined to die.
Although the hog cholera does not transmit to humans, the Japanese
government prohibits pork imports from countries and regions where the
disease has broken out.