Antinuclear

South Korea bans all fish imports from Fukushima area

Video: South Korea extends ban on Japanese fish imports .http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-07/an-skorea-bans-japan-fish-imports-over-fukushima-concerns/4942274South Korea has extended its ban on Japanese fisheries products over fears of contamination from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. Australia Network News, 7 Sept 13  Consumption of fish products in South Korea has dropped sharply in recent weeks as Japanese workers struggle to contain leaks at the tsunami-wrecked facility.

The plant’s operator Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has admitted that highly toxic water may have made its way into the Pacific Ocean.

The company also says up to 300 tonnes of mildly radioactive groundwater is making its way into the sea every day.

South Korea had previously imposed an import ban on dozens of Japanese fisheries products produced in Fukushima and seven other prefectures following the meltdown at the nuclear plant, triggered by the 2011 tsunami.

The government has now widened the ban to take in all such products from Fukushima and the seven other prefectures – Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Iwate, Tochigi, Chiba and Aomori. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries says it is taking action in response to rising fears in South Korea.

“The measure comes as our people’s concerns are growing over the fact that hundreds of tonnes of radiation-contaminated water leak every day from the site of Japan’s nuclear accident in Fukushima,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The government has concluded that the information provided by Japan so far has failed to make it clear how the incident will develop in the future.

“Under the new measure, all fisheries products from this region will be banned regardless of whether they are contaminated or not.”

The ministry has also urged Tokyo to immediately provide accurate information on the leaks of contaminated water…….

September 7, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized