TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Canada has lifted all restrictions on food imports from Japan, which were imposed amid fears of radioactive contamination due to the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, saying all products tested were far below radiation limits, the Japanese government said Tuesday.
Canada became the first country to lift all restrictions, while 40 other countries and areas continue to restrict food imports from Japan following the crisis at the plant triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday that following an assessment it "no longer sees the need for routine testing imported food products," effective the same day, adding Canada's health authorities will conduct regular monitoring of food sold in the country, including Japanese imports.
Since April 1, the agency had demanded test results verifying the safety of all products imported from 12 prefectures including Fukushima and neighboring prefectures.
The agency had also asked for certificates proving the origin of products from other prefectures.
Japan's exports of farm and fishery products to Canada totaled about 4.6 billion yen in 2010.
In late May, China said it would partially ease controls on agricultural products from Japan, but the criteria or specific details are yet to be clarified.
