Iwaki: Public pasture reopened

July 14, 2014

First public pasture reopens in Fukushima

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140714_27.html

A public cow pasture in Fukushima Prefecture has reopened after a closure of 2 years due to high radiation levels.

The Iwaki city government reopened part of the Shibayama pasture on Monday.

The city closed the land after radiation levels higher than the government limit were found in grass following the 2011 nuclear accident.

The city says the level fell below the limit in 7 hectares of the 50-hectare land after workers cut down some grass, sowed seeds, and removed surface soil.

The city says Shibayama is the first among public pastures run by 13 local municipalities in Fukushima to reopen.

Four farmers brought 10 cows on Monday. One of them said he had to raise his cows in a shed while the pasture was closed. He added that bringing them to open land makes his job much easier.

The city is charging farmers about 3 dollars a day to use the opened section of the pasture.

An official says the city wants to reopen the entire pasture as soon as possible.

Jul. 14, 2014 - Updated 07:20 UTC