The Asian country made a request to the European Commission for authorization to export raw milk, dairy products, colostrum and colostrum-based products to the EU that have undergone a non-specific treatment.
According to a document released by the EU, from an animal health perspective, Japan is a third country listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health as being free of foot-and-mouth disease where vaccination is not practiced and therefore fulfills the Union animal health import requirements.
The Commission has recently carried out veterinary controls in Japan, and said the results demonstrate that the competent authority of Japan provides appropriate guarantees as regards compliance with animal health import requirements.
The EU document said that, in light of the appropriate guarantees provided by Japan and of the favourable animal health situation as regards foot-and-mouth disease in Japan, it is appropriate to include Japan in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 605/2010, the list of third countries or parts thereof authorized for the introduction into the EU of consignments of raw milk, dairy products, colostrum and colostrum-based products and indicates the type of treatment required for such commodities.
The new regulations take effect March 25, 2019.