| TOP |
| 6th Report of Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 16, 2000) |
1. Complainant: Korean Embassy
2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
3. Complaint:
The advance import approval has been in effect for imports of wakame seaweed (Undaria fusio formis), in order to ensure application of the trade volume agreement system by a private sector council. However, even though the trade volume agreement system was abolished in 1995, the advance import confirmation system continues to be used.
The advance import approval should be abolished, since due to the increase in import-related operations, it constitutes a de facto restriction on imports.
4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:
(1) Since harvesting of wakame seaweed is seasonal, the advance import approval has contributed to the appropriate supply of this product to parties concerned, by providing early and appropriate information on domestic production and import trends.
(2) This system is not an import restriction, as importers may import any volume of the product, after applying for confirmation from the minister for international trade and industry and receiving confirmation concerning volume, country of origin and so on. Current advance import approval, never prevents the Republic of Korea from exporting wakame seaweed. In fact, some countries have increased their export volume under this system, and it is possible to expand exports, when the wakame seaweed in your country meets the needs of the Japanese market.
(3) The handling of this system was on the agenda at working level meetings on trade in fishery products between Japan and the Republic of Korea held in March 1999 and the matter was discussed. The two countries agreed to continue discussing this matter at further working level meetings.
5. Remarks
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry's notice was amended in January 2000 and the advance import confirmation system for wakame seaweed imports was abolished. The complainant accepted this policy.