Minister of the Environment Yamaguchi inspected the wharf of Tokyo Harbor, where fire ants with strong poison are often confirmed, and expressed his intention to strengthen fire ant countermeasures by amending the law.
Fire ants are native to South America with a strong poison of about 2.5 to 6 mm in length, but according to the Ministry of the Environment, more than 5,000 fire ants were found in domestic ports last year, and there are concerns about their colonization.
On the 23rd, Minister of the Environment Yamaguchi and an expert from the National Institute for Environmental Studies visited Aomi Wharf in Koto Ward, where fire ants have been frequently confirmed.
Minister Yamaguchi visited a container depot where fire ants are easily found, received explanations on how to remove them with pesticides, and confirmed where fire ants were actually found.
With fire ants in mind, the government is aiming to enact an amendment to the Alien Species Act, which will allow entry and inspection even after customs clearance if there is a risk that alien species that require urgent action are attached to imported products. I am.
After the inspection, Minister Yamaguchi said, "Fire ants are one step closer to becoming established in Japan, so we will take all possible measures and take immediate action."
In addition, Koichi Goka, director of the Ecological Risk Assessment and Countermeasures Laboratory of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, said, "I had been bitten by fire ants, but it was very painful and did not swell easily. There is also a need for measures to prevent fire ant colonization. "