Since the presence of volunteer genetically engineered (GE) wheat was confirmed on an Oregon farm, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has suspended import tenders for Western White for food use and soft wheat from the western region for feed use. As a result of close coordination between the Government of Japan, USDA and industry, the new testing protocol has been established. MAFF announced resumption of Western White import tenders on July 30, 2013, for implementation on August 1. The tender on August 1 was successfully held, and the amount allocated for Western White (89,579 metric tons) was fully contracted. MAFF is also preparing to resume import tenders for soft white wheat for feed use on August 7.
