JAPAN - Norwegian-Japanese cooperation for the establishment of common methods and databases to ensure safe and authentic seafood

To validate traceability information, protect international trade and enforce the current legislative in Norway, Europe and Japan regarding the safety and labelling of food and seafood, it is essential to develop and implement, at an international/global level, analytical methods and common databases containing the profiles of authentic species and products. The personnel of both SFA and FBT-NRIFS have been involved in the development of analytical methods for seafood authentication for many years through national and international research projects. This proposal aims at establishing the foundations for a long term Norwegian-Japanese cooperation based on national and international (EU) research projects involving both SFA and FBT-NRIFS, as well as other Norwegian and European institutions to construct common and standardized databases for authentication of seafood. SFA has already a substantial network of institutions with whom we have been, and currently are, involved in national and European research p rojects and proposals that will be taken into account in the new proposals. Our work will give priority to species and products relevant to the Norwegian and Japanese industries and markets and to DNA analyses and databases, not excluding proteomics of li pid fingerprinting when required. The intended proposal(s) will include exchange of personnel, post-doctoral formation of researchers and workshops to inform the relevant stakeholders.