Thursday, September 12, 2013

#Radioactive Japan: Fukushima Prefecture Wants to Sell Wild Mushrooms and Wild Edible Plants


While fishermen in Fukushima Prefecture have, for the most part, restrained themselves from pushing hard on resuming the commercial fishing after the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident, farmers are a totally different story.

They have never stopped growing vegetables, rice, fruits, mushrooms, cattle for meat, etc., and have insisted that they sell to the rest of Japan as long as the national government says they are under the safety limit (100 Bq/kg radioactive cesium). Right after the start of the nuclear accident and as radioactive fallout was descending on their land, farmers in Fukushima started tilling the land to plant.

"They have to make a living", supporters say. (Don't fishermen, too?)

But this news goes too far as far as I am concerned. Fukushima Prefecture wants to allow farmers to sell wild mushrooms and wild edible plants, which have been known to concentrate radioactive cesium. There is no specific reason given in the article why they are considering lifting the shipment restriction now, and there is no mention of the fact that these food items tend to contain high levels of radioactive cesium.

From Fukushima Minpo via Yahoo Japan (9/12/2013):

キノコ・山菜類の出荷制限解除に向けて説明会 郡山

Briefing on lifting the shipment restriction

福島県は11日、東京電力福島第一原発事故によるキノコ・山菜類の出荷制限の解除に向けた説明会を郡山市の県林業研究センターで開いた。市町村に対し、個人から持ち寄られた食品の放射性物質検査のデータ提供を求めた。

Fukushima prefectural government held a briefing at the Prefectural Forestry Research Center in Koriyama City toward lifting the shipment restriction on mushrooms and edible wild plants that was put in place because of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident. The prefectural government asked the municipalities to submit data of nuclide analysis of food items submitted by citizens.

 出荷制限の解除には、市町村の単位で、3カ所以上の検査結果が基準値を下回ることが条件。制限する政府は、露地栽培や野生のキノコ・山菜類については管理の難しさなどから、さらに検体数を増やすよう県に求めている。このため、県は検体数を増やし、モニタリングの検査精度を高めたい考えだ。

To lift the shipment restriction in a municipality, samples from three or more locations within a municipality must test below the safety standard. The national government who sets the standard is requesting Fukushima Prefecture to increase the number of samples as it is difficult to manage mushrooms cultivated outdoors, wild mushrooms and wild edible plants. The prefectural government plans to increase the number of samples and enhance the accuracy of monitoring.

 説明会には市町村の担当者ら約百人が出席した。

The briefing was attended by about 100 managers from the municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture.


The reason why the prefectural government is asking for data on a municipal level is that there is hardly any official monitoring data of wild mushrooms and wild edible plants done by the prefecture.

Come to think about it, a "shipping restriction" has not been a "shipping ban" anyway, as the prefectural government lacks will and personnel to enforce the "restriction". All the government (prefectural and municipal) officials do is to tell farmers not to sell them. Besides, the shipment restriction only means farmers are not supposed to sell either outside the municipalities they live in or outside Fukushima Prefecture.

Full of loopholes big enough to drive a farm truck through.

And the farmers cry "baseless rumors" because they cannot get the price they used to get before the accident.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another example of the effects of capitalism.

Anonymous said...

If the government caves, it can only harm Fukushima farmers. Why?
As long as where food comes from is clearly labelled, many concerned consumers will simply not believe the government and avoid buying anything from Fukushima, period. The free market at work: leaving buyers and sellers free to make their choices. Fukushima farmers would have to accept a lower price for their goods, but somebody somewhere might be willing to take the risk.

The only way they could get "the price they used to get before the accident" is if produce is not clearly labelled as coming from Fukushima. No doubt there are groups lobbying for this (it's human nature to push for one's own interests). I sincerely hope they are not listened to.

Capitalism is a system where the means of production are privately owned. A government restriction is not an example of capitalism or of the free market. Farmers trying to get the heavy hand of government to force consumers to accept radioactive (or untested) produce is not an example of capitalism and the free market, either.

Given that the present system is not a free market one, the government's conditions ("To lift the shipment restriction in a municipality, samples from three or more locations within a municipality must test below the safety standard") are sensible, although whether they will be enough to persuade consumers is another matter. For some reason, people seem less willing than before to trust and believe the government.

A free market solution would be for the Fukushima farmers themselves to be free to try and sell their produce on the open market. Good luck with that! To convince consumers, they would need to arrange and pay for their own testing from a trustable 3rd party, but that would obviously raise the costs for producers who would have little alternative other than charging more for the produce. Or, they could cut their losses and move to a non-irradiated area, or move into another line of work, or both. But wait! There's another way! Hey! Let's get government (i.e. other people) to pay for the testing! Let's get government to lower the safety standards! Let's get government to let us sell our produce without clear labelling!! That's "capitalism"? Rrrriiiight.)

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I should have written "the NATIONAL government's conditions".

Anonymous said...

The US will buy, no import restrictions for Japanese products here. No problem.

Anonymous said...

He he, FYI people in Eastern France don't pick up wild mushrooms, although it was a very common practice. Nice healthy leisure and delicacies.
Tchernobyl of course. They had them tested.

Phiphi.

Anonymous said...

"And the farmers cry "baseless rumors" because they cannot get the price they used to get before the accident."

Denver's Chernobyl Firemen
http://www.coloradodaily.com/ci_13120404

The Ambushed Grand Jury: How the Justice Department Covered Up Government Nuclear Crime
http://www.amazon.com/Ambushed-Grand-Jury-Department-Government/dp/1891843281/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349044338&sr=1-1&keywords=Ambushed+Grand+Jury

burning plutonium and "baseless rumors"

Anonymous said...

There is not such a thing like a "free (perfect) market". Go back and read again, slowly.
If a perfect market existed competion would have eliminated all participants except a few and would have become an oligopoly or monopoly.

Anyways, mushrooms have very little nutritional value so it is easy to eliminate them from your diet altogether -- be them labeled Okinawa or Fukushima. Also because you can grow mushrooms in Okinawa on top of wood imported from Fukushima (not a joke, there was at least one case).

Beppe

Anonymous said...

>mushrooms have very little nutritional value

WRONG. http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/calories/the-nutritional-value-of-mushrooms.html

Anonymous said...

What is the matter, aren't the people dying fast enough they have to add the wild mushrooms and other wild edible items? What about eating wild boar meat? That concentrates as well...mushrooms and wild boar...

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm...matsutake season soon--I mean-- cesium soon.

Anonymous said...

Acording to Naomi Klein's book, "now" is the time to create a ideal "free market" To keep people silent, they call the protesters "baseless rumor monger !" like the warmongers before end of the pacific war called disobedient people "HIKOKUMIN"(you do not belong to the people of Japan)

NYUltraBuddha said...

Speaking of food, check out the latest import alert on items from Japan: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_621.html

Anonymous said...

Soma-Futaba and Iwaki fisheries to resume test fishing on Sep 26. Check out the location of these cities on the map, if you are not familiar with Fukushima geography. Hopefully Fuku 1 harbour is really water tight as Tepco and Abe are telling us.

Mushrooms are well known for their low caloric value and their ability to extract radioactivity from the soil. Radiophiles are welcome to enjoy them with the trial fish catch; more radionuclide conscious parents will probably select other types of vegetables, from locations other than Fukushima.

mohit said...

Good article and knowledge for me! I found a lot of information here! This article is really good for all newbie here. Thank you for sharing with us! Good luck!

appvn download

Garmin Express said...

Nice article.Did you know Garmin has introduced an application Garmin Express that helps you in managing your Garmin device from your computer.The Garmin is known for its GPS and navigation device for cars, outdoor activities and fitness activities.
Download Garmin Express

praveshkalsi said...




An extensively famous and adored web-based email service, AOL Mail is now a renowned name. The mail service has gained its major fan following because of the fastest interface and features that are user-friendly. You need to choose this platform because here, you get convenient access to your emails and also enjoy several features that are brilliant.





AOL Mail

praveshkalsi said...


Magellan Roadmate Update provides the best possible guidance for GPS navigation. The Magellan Roadmate delivers a best in class GPS navigation experience with spectacular features. Also, it is developed with features to reduce driving stress, save time and money.




Magellan Roadmate Update



ij.start.cannon said...

I like the way you have provided all the detail.
Very wast and nicely explained.
The adequate and sans hands setup is there, you just need to pursue the rules as referenced on that page.
At the point when you do associate the canon.com/ijsetup Canon printer into your pc, your framework doesn't have to introduce the driver on it.

ij start canon said...

Very good and nicely explained.
I like the way you have provided all the detail.
In order to get rid of your several Printer's related issues, you will surely go to require taking help from a skilled professional. Check into my website. For the ones who are looking for availing the service of the Fund Solutions Provider. We will guide you properly to the best of our knowledge. canon.com/ijsetup

Atlanta said...

A debt of gratitude is in information for Sharing data this data is extremely useful and helpful for me and different people. I like your work.
If you are looking for canon print then this is a golden opportunity for you. You can setup our website now http //ij.start.canon and take advantage of it. And you will get all the features and very good products, then you must definitely visit our website.
https://sites.google.com/view/ijstartcanonx

ij.stort.connon said...

ij.stort.connon provides a source to download drivers on windows or MAC & Installation Guide for Canon printer or go to the link canon.com/ijsetup for easy installation, also find canon wireless printer setup instructions. Know more about the Canon IJ network tool & scan utility from our experts. For quick guidance visit here!!

Martin said...

Finding Certified translation services Florida is not that difficult now. The Spanish Group provides accurate translations through an incredibly fast, simple, and easy to use process. In most cases, you can get a translation started in only a few minutes. We are a fast, quality, cost-effective service to rival any in the business.

jack said...

I like the way you have provided all the detail. godaddy voucher code july 2023 Very wast and nicely explained.The adequate and sans hands [url=https://godaddy-coupon-code-july-2023.netlify.app/]godaddy discount code july 2023[/url]
setup is there, you just need to pursue the rules as referenced on that page.

Martin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

Post a Comment