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Topics 4: Reinforce the lineup of crop plants that help prevent agricultural chemicals from drifting |
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What is the Positive List System?The Positive List System controls the level of agricultural chemicals in foods. Previously, in cases where maximum residue limits (MRLs) had been established, the distribution of foods that contained agricultural chemicals above a certain level was prohibited. However, foods without MRLs were not checked and could be distributed freely despite high levels of chemicals. Through a revision to the Food Sanitation Law (Law No. 55, 2003), certain maximum levels of chemicals were set based on international standards for agricultural produce without MRLs, thereby prohibiting the distribution of foods containing chemical levels above a certain level. |
With concerns over food safety growing, the Food Sanitation Law was revised and the Positive List System was enforced for the agricultural chemicals remaining in foods on May 29, 2006. As a result, the maximum residue limits for the remaining agricultural chemicals changed drastically. Sprayed agricultural chemicals can drift to adjacent crops, and the chemicals of such surrounding crops are unlikely to be registered or their chemical levels may be above the maximum level stipulated by the law. To address this concern, the Company proposes decreasing the drift of agricultural chemicals by using its green manure such as Sorghum and Oat.