Source: The Nihon Keizai Shimbun via Checkbiotech

Japan's northernmost prefecture, plans to put in place next spring restrictions that would result in an effective ban on commercial cultivation of genetically altered crops.

The new rules are in response to growing consumer interest in food safety and are aimed at maintaining the reputation of products from Hokkaido, Japan's largest food-producing region.

The regulations would apply to all crops, including soybeans and corn. A licensing system would allow the commercial cultivation of genetically altered plants, but the conditions would be so strict -- for example, constant monitoring to prevent cross-fertilization with other plants -- that the rules are expected to effectively halt such activity by ordinary farms.

To nurture the biotech industry, however, experimental cultivation would be allowed if expert opinion is given that steps are being taken to prevent cross-fertilization and contamination.

Genetically altered plants can now be cultivated just like ordinary crops as long as approval is granted by the Agriculture and Environment ministries. But research by Hokkaido shows 80% of consumers to be wary of genetically altered produce. The prefecture fears that its own produce would suffer should fears of cross-fertilization and contamination grow.

If put in place, Hokkaido's regulation of genetically altered crops would be the strongest in the nation.