Strengthening international cooperation

In terms of promoting mutually beneficial agricultural cooperation, on June 13, 2011 Taiwan renewed with Canada the “Guideline on Scientific Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Agri-Food.” The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in: (a) research and development of high value-added agro-products, (b) food safety and bio-security, and (c) minimizing the risks to agriculture from, and adapting agriculture to, climate change. The COA also continued to strengthen cooperation with the US, Japan, the Netherlands, Israel, and other countries leading in agricultural development on a variety of agro-production technologies and disaster-prevention techniques.

To further facilitate interactions and exchanges with countries in Southeast Asia, in 2011 the COA—based on the conclusions reached at Agricultural Working Group meetings with Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries—undertook training and exchange programs covering: (a) applications of the on-board Vessel Management System (VMS) for fishing boats; (b) aquaculture; (b) processing of agro-products; (d) collection of animal genetic resources; and (e) development of the vegetable and flower industries. In addition to improving bilateral relations, these programs also contribute to creating commercial opportunities for the sale of seeds, seedlings, agricultural equipment, and production materials from Taiwan to Southeast Asian countries.

GLOBAL MARKETING STRATEGIES

International marketing of agro-products

In 2011 the COA conducted various international advertising and marketing activities. Exports of agro-products were worth US$4.67 billion, an increase of 16% over 2009. The value of exports for the subset of the “33 products identified as having particular potential for export” was US$762 million, up 17.4% over 2010. The five products showing the largest increases were grouper (58.3%), Phalaenopsis orchids (19.3%), bass (29.4%), tilapia (10.8%), and vegetable soybean (12.9%).

Strengthening the export supply chain

The COA has guided the establishment of special production and marketing zones for rice, in order to produce rice that is of premium quality and meets superior health and safety standards. In 2011, 1885 metric tons of rice (not including rice flour) was exported from these zones, with the main markets being Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia.

We have also guided the establishment of 3500 hectares of special export production zones for carrots, edamame, and head lettuce. In 2011 exports from these areas were: for carrots, 14,972 metric tons worth US$4.817 million; for edamame, 31,564 metric tons worth US$63.135 million; and for head lettuce, 4566 metric tons worth US$4.131 million.

We have also guided several local governments (including the special municipalities of Taichung and Tainan and the counties of Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Pingtung) to establish special production zones for flowers. A total of 19 have so far been set up, with 492 hectares devoted to contract production for export. Total exports from these zones in 2011 reached 4.082 million stems, worth US$22.06 million.

Founding of the Taiwan Banana Exporters Association

Aiming to increase the value of banana exports and to maintain orderly exporting of bananas, the COA proactively encouraged the founding of the Taiwan Banana Exporters Association (TBEA). It was founded on November 8, 2011, with 23 exporting firms as members. Furthermore, to promote upgrading in this industry and raise banana quality, the COA has established special export production zones for bananas, and has undertaken a restructuring of the industry, creating an integrated supply chain from production through marketing. We have also worked in cooperation with the TBEA to adopt a variety of international marketing measures, establish a brand reputation for Taiwan bananas, and develop the international market.

Creation of the Development Reserve Fund for the Oncidium Orchid Industry

Taiwan has been very successful in the export of Oncidium orchids, and in an effort to ensure that this success continues, the COA has assisted the Chinese Development Association for Oncidium Production and Marketing to create a reserve fund for development of the industry. It brings together farmers, industry groups, and exporters, and will be used to make production and marketing adjustments during periods when production is high. In the future the COA will assist in developing the domestic and international markets and in adjusting production and marketing during seasons when production is high, in order to stabilize export volume and quality. We will also assist firms to set up an early warning system, to ensure that firms have a clear understanding of the dynamics of the domestic and international markets, and we will help them coordinate orderly exports.

Strengthening international consultations and cooperation

The COA has actively participated in the agriculture and fisheries negotiations of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO), aiming to win space for the development of Taiwan’s agricultural and fisheries industries. We have also utilized the WTO and other international trade and economic negotiating forums to conduct fisheries consultations, and also to promote acceptance of Taiwan’s inspection and quarantine procedures for exported agro- products. Results so far have included: (a) The European Union agreed, starting in January of 2011, to reduce the testing and certification fee for applications for plant variety rights from 1200 euros to 750 euros. (b) As of September of 2011, it has been possible to export Phalaenopsis orchids with growth media to Australia.

We have also continued to pro-actively participate in the activities of various international organizations including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), and the Asian Productivity Organization. In September of 2011, COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung led a delegation to attend the First APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry, where he called for the creation of an Asia-Pacific forest-diseases prevention network. Also, Taiwan hosted the following: (a) the 2011 APEC Food Security Forum Food Emergency Response Mechanism meeting, (b) the APEC Workshop on Collaboration on the Promotion of Indigenous Vegetables for Coping with Climate Change and Ensuring Food Security, (c) the APAARI 2011 Executive Committee Meeting, (d) the APAARI Expert Consultation on “Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosafety, and Biosecurity,” and (e) the APAARI Symposium on Genetics and Reproductive Management for Animal Production.

Also, with the aim of upholding the rights and interests of Taiwan’s fisheries industries, in 2011 the COA (a) participated seven times in the fishing-industry subsidy negotiations under the WTO, as well as in related meetings of the Committee for Fisheries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Fishery Working Group/Marine Resources Conservation Working Group of APEC, and the Committee on Fisheries of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization; (b) participated 36 times in meetings of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and other regional fisheries organizations. In addition, in mid-August the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was invited to Taiwan, which fostered a better exchange of views between the Taiwan and US fishing industries.