Regarding the shipment of Ariake Sea glue, which is one of the leading production areas in Japan, individual producers are not allowed to sell on the Internet, and it is said that "total shipment" was carried out under the control of all by the Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives. , The Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site inspection of the fishing associations in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Saga, etc. on the 7th on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act, according to an interview with the people concerned.
The on-site inspections were conducted by
▼ "Fukuoka Ariake Sea Fisheries Cooperative Association" in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture,
▼ "Kumamoto Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative Association" in Kumamoto City, and
▼ "Saga Prefecture Ariake Sea Fisheries Association" in Saga City.
There are about 10 places such as "Cooperatives".
According to the people concerned, the fishermen's associations and fishermen's cooperatives in each region do not allow the producers of Nori seaweed in the Ariake Sea to sell their products individually, and they are obliged to "ship all the products" through the fishermen's associations. There is a suspicion of unfair trade in violation of antitrust law.
In recent years, in the distribution of marine products, there are increasing cases where producers directly deal with customers on the Internet and expand their sales channels.
The Fair Trade Commission considers that full shipments hinder such free competition, and will investigate the background and details of the long-standing practice.
The Fukuoka Ariake Sea Fisheries Federation commented, "It is true that the survey was conducted. I would like to take appropriate measures."
The Kumamoto Prefectural Fisheries Federation and the Saga Prefectural Ariakekai Fisheries Cooperative have stated that "the person in charge is absent and cannot respond."