Japan to ask other nations to oppose EU plan to regulate eel trade
Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro says Japan will urge other countries to jointly oppose the European Union's planned proposal to regulate international trade in eel species.
Koizumi told reporters on Friday that the EU has decided to propose making all species of the fish -- including Japanese and American eel -- subject to regulations under the Washington Convention.
The EU is set to table the proposal when parties to the convention, which regulates trade in endangered species, meet in November. European eel is already subject to trade controls under the pact.
Grilled eel is a popular dish in Japan, especially to build up stamina during the hot summer months.
The Fisheries Agency says the country relies on imports for about 70 percent of eel consumption. It says if trade in Japanese eel is regulated, imports would stall and prices could surge.
Koizumi said stocks of Japanese eel are properly managed by Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. He said the species is not at risk of becoming extinct through international trade, as there is a sufficient amount of stocks. Koizumi called the EU's decision "extremely regrettable."
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