The borders of the Japanese market for Italian pork products reopen. After the agreement of May 2023 between the veterinary services of the Italian Ministry of Health and those of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the health requirements necessary for the removal of the ban due to the onset of the African Swine Fever epidemic, it was the procedure authorizing the first two Italian factories to export meat and pork products subjected to heat treatment concluded today.
A significantly important result for the Italian system which testifies to the excellent collaborative relations between Italy and Japan within the “Strategic Partnership” defined by the two Prime Ministers Meloni and Kishida in January 2023, within which the extraordinary and coordinated commitment with the Italian Embassy in Tokyo and with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry has made it possible to create favorable negotiating conditions based on scientific evidence and, at the same time, on trust between the parties.
In light of the recent reopenings, the aim is now to quickly expand the list of Italian factories authorized to export this type of product, with the aim of supporting Italian exports in the agri-food sector in the important Japanese market. In fact, the designation of three other factories already visited last September by the Japanese delegation is expected soon. Other establishments have already been proposed by the Ministry of Health. A step forward has also been taken in view of the upcoming reopening of the market to cured products, in particular hams cured for more than 400 days such as Parma and San Daniele.
The veterinary offices of the Ministry of Health have in fact received the questionnaire to collect the information necessary for Japan to start the risk assessment process aimed at removing the ban on cured products. The start of the technical discussion constitutes in itself an important recognition for the Italian system which can contribute to the strengthening of the partnership agreements signed by Japan with the European Union, also within the framework of growth diplomacy.