Biotech Updates

Japan Imports GM Papaya from Hawaii

September 30, 2011

Japanese importation of GM papaya from Hawaii will commence on Dec 1, 2011. This was announced in the Ninth Consumer Affairs Agency Notification issued last August 31, 2011. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued the notification after Article 7 Clause 1 on GM processed food quality labeling standard was amended.

GM papaya is the 8 th crop listed in the notification that includes 1) soybean, 2) maize, 3) potato, 4) rape seed, 5) cotton seed, 6) alfalfa, and 7) sugar beet. The GM papaya variety to be imported from Hawaii is the Rainbow papaya variety developed to enhance resistance to viruses and has been produced and basically consumed in Hawaii.

See the announcement in Japanese at www.caa.go.jp/jas/hyoji/pdf/kijun_03.pdf. For related story, check out http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2011/09/07/20110907p2g00m0bu040000c.html. For crop biotechnology related news in Japan, contact Nippon Biotechnology Information Center Director Fusao Tomita at YRL05042@nifty.com.