KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not impose restrictions on fish products from Japan.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Sabu said the produce imported from the country tested for radioactive elements had turned out negative.
He said there were health concerns following Japan's move to release treated radioactive water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.
"We don't have any issue with importing fish products from Japan.
"However, we will continue to monitor the fishery products with a Level 4 inspection (for radioactive materials)," he told reporters after attending the Malaysia-Japan bilateral meeting at the 45th Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting (AMAF).
Topics discussed were Asean-Japan Midori Cooperation Plan, ensuring safety of fishery products (related to the Advanced Liquid Processing System or ALPS treated water) and International Horticultural Exposition 2027 Yokohama.
It was reported that the Health Ministry (MOH) had imposed a Level 4 inspection for radioactive materials at the country's entrance on high-risk food products imported from Japan.
Despite heavy criticism by China, North Korea and Hong Kong, Japan has maintained that its act of releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean as safe.
According to MOH's data gathered last year until June this year, fish food products and fish products are among the highest products imported from the country, followed by fruits, vegetables, processed food and beverages, with a total value of RM880,115,437.