Jan

◆ The COA announced amendments to the regulations to be followed by ROC tuna long-line fishing vessels while operating in the Atlantic Ocean in 2011.

◆ Australia agreed that Phalaenopsis in growth media could be exported to Australia in accordance with the Working Plan for the Importation of Phalaenopsis Species Nursery Stock from Taiwan to Australia.

◆ The COA convened a national conference on agriculture and farmland.

Consensus was reached on a long term vision for “building high-quality agriculture with a high level of competitiveness,” with the main strategic directions being new markets, new farmers, and new rural communities.

◆Held the ROC Year 100 Red Bean Festival to promote the sale of domestically produced red beans. The president and premier attended to speak on behalf of the red bean industry, and red bean products were sold directly to visitors to the event.

◆ Held ceremonies to present: (1) the 2010 “Taiwan Mullet-Roe Top Ten” awards; and (2) the 2nd Agribusiness Science and Technology Awards.

◆ The 17th meeting of the Taiwan-US technical working group on quarantine and inspection of agro-products was held.

◆ The COA held an event to clean up and beautify rural communities in time for the Lunar New Year and to promote low-carbon lifestyles in rural areas.

◆ Took measures to cope with the rise in fertilizer prices. Most of the increase was absorbed by government subsidies, but the COA also negotiated with the Taiwan Fertilizer Company to persuade them to absorb part of the increase.

◆ The policy of full deposit insurance coverage expired on December 31, 2010, and the original system of limited deposit insurance coverage came back into effect. The deposit insurance coverage limit was raised from NT$1.5 million to NT$3 million, effective January 1, 2011.

Feb

◆ Continual cold weather in January and February caused losses to agriculture.

The COA: (a) notified Penghu County that it could begin giving cash relief to the aquaculture industry; (b) approved single-crop cash relief payments for pear scion by Hsinchu and Yilan counties; (c) approved special-case subsidies for oranges in HangShan Township in Hsinchu County, for rice seedlings in Taitung County, for milkfish aquaculture in Tainan City, and for pear scion in Chiayi County; and (d) declared Penghu and Miaoli counties to be disaster areas for the purposes of low-interest natural-disaster recovery loans.

◆ The COA announced a new project, on a trial basis, for mainland Chinese fishing-vessel crew members to return directly to mainland China for Lunar New Year via packet boat.

◆ Announced amendments to the Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Fish and Their Gametes and Fertilized Eggs, as well as the Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Crustaceans and Mollusks. The new requirements came into effect on September 1, 2011.

◆ Announced amendments to Articles 4 and 8 of the Regulations for Quarantine of Animals/Plants Carried by Passengers or Service Personnel on Vehicles of Any Kind or Sent via Mail.

◆ Representatives of fishermen’s associations at all levels from across Taiwan, led by COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung, met with President Ma Ying-jeou, to discuss the development of human resources for the fishing and aquaculture industries.

◆ A group led by Vice-President Siew broke ground in front of the Water Drop Teahouse at Fo Guang University in Yilan County to plant two species of trees endemic to Taiwan—the Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir and the Pinus morrisonicola Hayata —to mark the beginning of Arbor Month for Year 100 of the ROC.

◆ The COA implemented a program to release 65,000 tons of crushed brown domestic rice from public stock for use as feed.

◆ Convened a cross-ministerial conference on the subject of promoting local consumption of, and stimulating domestic production of, rice and processed rice products. Five strategies were adopted: (a) strive to regain lost markets for rice consumption; (b) develop innovative new types of rice-based foods; (c) use cultural appeals to consolidate the consumption of rice; (d) encourage consumption through promotional events; and (e) diversify channels for advertising and marketing rice.

◆ Held the 2011 Taiwan International Orchid Show in order to showcase the world - class technical prowess and aesthetic values of Taiwan’s orchid industry. For the first time, it was held jointly in northern and southern Taiwan.

Mar

◆ Following the damage to agriculture caused by continuously cold weather in January and February, the COA further: (a) declared Taichung City a disaster area for the purposes of low-interest natural-disaster recovery loans; (b) authorized Taichung City to provide cash relief for pear scion; (c) authorized Miaoli County to provide single-crop cash relief for pear scion; (d) authorized Luzhu and other districts in Kaohsiung City as well as Qigu and other districts in Tainan City to provide special- case subsidies for milkfish farmers.

◆ The COA announced amendments to Articles 4, 5, 8-1, 10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, and 28 of the Regulations for Guidance and Management of the Recreational Farm Industry, while Articles 3 and 9 were repealed.

◆ Attended a conference of the WTO’s Rules Negotiations Group on the subject of fisheries subsidies.

◆ The Third Taiwan-Israel Agricultural Cooperation Conference was held, at which the Israeli side made a positive response to our main concern—protection of rights over plant varieties.

◆ The COA completed the draft of the Agriculture Basic Law. It will serve as the main foundation for promotion of agricultural policy, creation of an institutional framework, and drafting of agricultural laws and regulations.

◆ Announced 168 new guidelines for extended applications of registered agro- pesticides (also known as “label extensions”), including use of fermentation metabolites of Streptomyces candidus for passion fruit Phytophthora blight.

◆ Following the disaster that struck Japan on March 11, in which an earthquake and tsunami caused radiation release at nuclear reactors, the COA initiated testing of samples of catch from ROC fishing vessels for radiation, and also assigned the Fishery Research Vessel of the Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute to take water samples from major fishing grounds (including those around Pengjia Islet, Yilan Bay, and Turtle Island) for testing.

◆ The COA organized a flower sale activity to raise money for disaster victims in Japan, and also announced regulations for loans to help compensate for lost flower exports. A total of NT$100 million in loans was made available to help flower exporters get through this downturn.

◆ Assisted in the export of 5000 metric tons of garlic through a bidding process. The entire amount was sold, and export of the entire amount was set to be completed by the end of May.

◆ Began accepting applications for fuel subsidies for fishing ships and boats for the year 2010. Subsidies to qualified applicants ranged from the lowest at NT$2694 to the highest at NT$28,597.

◆ Provided funding for large-scale debris-flow-disaster prevention and response drills in Keelung City, Taichung City, Nantou County, Chiayi County, Kaohsiung City, and Tainan City.

◆ A group led by Vice-President Siew presided over an activity on the themes of carbon reduction and tree-planting; 12,000 citizens attended. The COA also organized events nation-wide to encourage rural communities to plant more trees.

Apr

◆ The CAS trademarks for premium agricultural products from Taiwan and organic agricultural products from Taiwan were successfully registered in mainland China.

◆ Rules were announced requiring all persons applying for policy-based special- case loans for the purposes of farmland improvement to (a) fill out the form detailing their land improvement plans at the time they apply for the loan, and (b) when the project is complete, to deliver photographs of the improved land as well as all relevant receipts to prove expenses incurred.

◆ In response to crop damage caused by low temperatures in March, the COA approved special-case subsidies for rice seedlings in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu County.

◆ The Executive Yuan approved an increase of NT$3 per kilo to the guaranteed price for state purchasing of rice for public rice stocks, effective as of the first crop season of 2011, and also decided to incorporate glutinous-type rice into the aforementioned purchasing program.

◆ To ensure that Taiwan was safe from the effects of the nuclear disaster in Japan, the COA continued to carry out tests for radiation on farm, fisheries, and animal husbandry products, as well as on irrigation water, across Taiwan; no radiation pollution was found.

◆ The disaster in Japan negatively impacted sales of flowers from Taiwan, so the COA organized a series of 11 flower marketing events; a total of 600,000 stems were used.

◆ The 13th Taiwan-Netherlands Agricultural Cooperation Conference and the Taiwan-Netherlands Roundtable on Sustainable Horticulture were held.

◆ In response to an accident on the Alishan Forest Railway, the COA immediately formed a response committee, which, under the direction of COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung, oversaw a comprehensive assessment of the situation and rescue operations in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Five people died and 114 were injured.

◆ The COA organized seminars to explain registration procedures for retail shops that want to sell non-prescription pharmaceuticals for ornamental fish, as well as to explain inspection and testing procedures for such pharmaceuticals.

◆ Held the opening of the 2011 Taiwan Flower Show.

May

◆ The COA convened the National Food Security Conference, at which 14 core strategies and 55 correlated measures were adopted.

◆ Announced 56 new guidelines for extended applications for use of registered agro-chemicals, including use on Alliaceae leafy vegetables.

◆ In response to the possibility that radiation from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan could pollute the major fishing grounds for Taiwan’s Pacific saury industry, the COA announced new Directions for Fishing Vessels Authorized to Engage in Torch-Light Net Fishing for Saury in the North Pacific Ocean in 2011.

◆ The COA announced that inoculations for hoof and mouth disease would be resumed for cloven-hoofed animals (Artiodactyla) in Penghu County.

◆ In response to the discovery of chemical residues in raw materials used for elementary school meals, measures were immediately taken to strengthen controls on raw materials, including: (1) implementing more rigorous control measures at animal farms and pig auction markets; (2) increasing audits on the production of CAS products; (3) enhancing inspection of the quality of the raw materials used in elementary school meals.

◆ Educational subsidies for the children of farmers and fishermen were distributed for the second semester of the 2010-2011 school year. Total disbursements were NT$879,091,000, assisting 127,430 children of farmers and fishermen to attend school.

◆ The COA participated in the 2011 Taipei Tourism Exposition, setting up a pavilion to promote Taiwan’s recreational farms.

◆ Organized a national tour of a film festival featuring films about Taiwan’s ecology; there were more than 60,000 attendees.

◆ Premiered the documentary film Rocking Farmers.

◆ In response to the increase in the price of glutinous rice before the Dragon Boat Festival, the COA made three-kilo bags of glutinous rice available to consumers at reasonable prices.

◆ The COA organized an inter national arts festival at the Danong Dafu Forest Recreation Area in Hualien County. There were more than 50,000 visits to the event.

◆ Held ceremonies for the “ROC Year 100 Shennong Awards,” honoring persons making outstanding contributions in the field of agriculture.

◆ Held the “8th Gathering of Soil and Water Conservation Volunteers.”

◆ Under our policy of promoting participation by Taiwan producers in international expos, the COA: (a) Provided subsidies to the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association to organize a group to attend the Chelsea Flower Show, organized by the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society. The group won the event’s gold medal. (b) Organized a group to attend the Aquarama 2011 international ornamental fish and aquarium expo in Singapore. (c) Organized participation in the 2011 Concours Mondial Bruxelles. The Dahu Regional Farmers’ Association won a gold medal for their strawberry wine.

Jun

◆ The COA completed the draft of the Agricultural Basic Law. The draft was then discussed and approved by the Executive Yuan, and sent on to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.

◆ The President of the ROC promulgated new provisions to the Wildlife Conservation Act.

◆ The COA promulgated Regulations Governing Appointment of Independent Directors and Compliance Matters for the Agricultural Bank of Taiwan. At the same time, provisions related to independent directors of the ABT were deleted from The Regulations Governing Qualifications for Independent Directors, Independent Supervisors, and Independent Credit Councilors of the ABT.

◆ After consultations between the COA and the Department of Health, amendments were announced to the Regulations for Meat Inspection. Added provisions: (a) require slaughterhouses to apply to the central competent authority to dispatch inspectors to conduct meat inspections (the amendments include details of the application procedure and documents); and (b) list circumstances under which the meat inspection will be terminated by the competent authority.

◆ The COA announced standards for designating farm, animal husbandry, or aquaculture areas as “areas so severely affected by subsidence that they are unable to produce economic value,” and standards for designating farm, animal husbandry, aquaculture, or forestry areas as “areas which have been made unable to produce economic value as a result of natural disasters.”

◆ The COA announced 62 new guidelines for extended applications of registered agro-chemicals (also known as “label extensions”), including lambda-cyhalothrin for thrips.

◆ Adopted seven measures in response to the discovery of plasticizers in food products.

◆ Announced the export of 4600 metric tons of garlic, and launched direct sales of low-priced garlic to consumers as well as organized purchases of garlic for use in the military and prisons.

◆ Participated in the 22nd meeting of APEC’s Fisheries Working Group (FWG) and the 10th Joint meeting between the FWG and the Marine Resources Conservation Working Group.

◆ The 9th Taiwan-Canada Agricultural Cooperation Conference was held in Ottawa, and the two parties signed the Guidelines for Scientific Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

◆ The COA also organized the following activities: (1) Celebrations for 2011

Irrigation Day, including honoring those who have made out standing contributions to irrigation. (2) A special educational exhibition entitled “International Year of Forests: A Tour of Taiwan’s Legendary Old Trees.” (3) The 2011 Taiwan Banana Festival, attracting more than 30,000 visitors, with sales of agro-products surpassing NT$5 million.

◆ The COA set up a Taiwan Pavilion at the 2011 Food Taipei food products exposition, featuring the themes of “Fresh 100”and “Health, Safety, Simplicity.”

◆ Hosted the 2011 International Conference on Rural Regeneration. Scholars and experts from Taiwan and abroad (UK, Germany, US, Japan) were invited to exchange ideas with government ministries, local governments, civic organizations, and rural communities.

Jul

◆ The COA announced amendments to the regulations governing testing and pricing of fresh milk bought from dairy farms by dairy food processing companies. As of July 1, the calculation of the price of fresh milk was changed to the category “solids-not-fat” (SNF).

◆ Announced new rules to supervise agricultural financial institutions. These institutions began provisionally applying (with the exception of some provisions) the Regulations Governing Bank Handling of Accounts with Suspicious or Unusual Transactions and the Regulations Governing the Security Maintenance and Administration of Financial Institutions. The Directions Governing Suspected Illegality or Obviously Irregular Transactions of Deposit Accounts for Agricultural Financial Institutions were abolished.

◆ Announced that, under Section 3, Paragraph 1, Article 11 of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Act, raising of channeled applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata ) is prohibited.

◆ Presented a briefing to the president on the subject of strategies to stabilize production and marketing of agro-products. The president proposed six major focal points, and asked the COA to actively promote work in these areas.

◆ Announced that 394 hectares of land on the Chikoshan Plateau would no longer be categorized as state-owned forest, but would be reclassified as slopeland.

◆ The Agricultural Bank of Taiwan and the credit departments of 174 farmers’and fishermen’s associations began offering transaction services using mainland Chinese renminbi.
◆ The COA set up an agricultural biotechnology pavilion as part of the Bio Taiwan 2011 biotechnology expo.

◆ The ecological documentary film Fall in Love with Fireflies received an award at the Third National Publication Awards organized by the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, Executive Yuan.

◆ The COA organized the following activities: (1) a CAS swearing-in and flag presentation ceremony, to emphasize the government’s determination to ensure stricter management of the CAS label; (2) the 5th Agricultural Finance Awards and New Business Services Launching Ceremony, at which Premier Wu Den- yih presented the awards, delivered a speech, and presided over the launching ceremony; (3) events celebrating National Fishermen’s Day 2011, during which Premier Wu and President Ma Ying-jeou personally presented awards to model fishermen; (4) a “Farmers Association Leadership Camp,” providing specialized training in marketing of agro-products to the general managers and to the marketing departments of farmers’ associations.

Aug

◆ The COA convened the 2011 APEC Food Security Forum. Representatives of 17 APEC economic entities exchanged views and reached consensus on the design of an APEC emergency food reserve mechanism.

◆ Announced the Regulations for the Review, Management and Supervision of Rural Village Zoning Plans.

◆ Announced amendments to Attachment 1 of Article 3 of the Provisional Principles for Use of Veterinary Medicines. The amendments extended permissible use of aquaculture medicines so that all major forms of aquaculture animals— including Anguilliformes, Salmoniformes, Gonorhyuchiformes, Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Acipenseriformes, Decapoda, Anura, and Testudines—would have pharmaceuticals available for use.

◆ Announced a maximum limit for registering of fishing boats at Wuqi Harbor; no further registrations or transfers would be accepted once the limit was reached.

◆ Announced amendments to Point 3 of the regulations governing review of documentation for approval of “organic” labeling for imported livestock products and processed livestock products, for the purposes of better managing imported organic livestock and processed livestock products.

◆ Announced an amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Soil and Water Conservation Act. Sections 2 and 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 4 were combined into a single Section 2 so that the application of the rules would be general and inclusive.

◆ Announced amendments to Point 3 and Attachment 1-20 (Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Tortoises) of the Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Animals or Animal Products.

◆ The COA activated garlic purchasing measures. The purchase price was NT$29 per kilo, with sellers limited only to those farmers who had completed written registration of garlic cultivation for the 2010/2011 year. The purchasing target was 6600 metric tons.

◆ Authorized the Luzhou District Farmers Association in New Taipei City to set up a Changrong Branch, and authorized the Hukou Township Farmers Association of Hsinchu County to set up a Kejialou Branch, in order to provide local residents with financial services.

◆ Invited banana exporters to a meeting to: (a) discuss the possible establishment of a special banana production zone; (b) encourage them to cooperate more closely with farmers; and (c) plan the establishment of a collective banana exporting organization.

◆ Convened a meeting to explain the implications of the construction in Erlin (Changhua County) of the Fourth Phase of the Central Taiwan Science Park (hereafter CTSP4) for the use of water originally purposed for agriculture. Items discussed included: (a) the impact of CTSP4’s use of water on farmers, and guarantees to farmers; (b) future adjustment measures to be taken by the Changhua Irrigation Association; (c) plans for pipelines for CTSP4 to draw water and for construction of a sedimentation basin; (d) long term sources of water for CTSP4, taking into account the demand for water by both agriculture and the science park.

◆ Designated each year from August 15 to September 15 as “Mikania micrantha Prevention Month.” The aim is to encourage all citizens to eradicate the Mikania micrantha (also known as the “mile-a-minute weed”) during this period.

◆ Held five seminars for young farmers, covering topics that included: (a) training for young farmers; (b) introduction to guidance measures for the production and marketing of grains; (c) introduction to specialized agricultural loans; and (d) the sharing of learning experiences by young people who have gone back to the countryside to operate farms.

◆ Invited the local governments from areas where wendan pomelo is extensively grown to a conference on An Early Warning System for Production and Marketing of Wendan Pomelo. A press conference was held to introduce wendan pomelo marketing plans.

◆ The COA hosted two major seminars: (1) One on agricultural and food safety strategies in Japan, with experts and officials from Japan invited to come to Taiwan to share advice. (2) One at which experts and government officials from Japan and Taiwan discussed how to improve sediment control techniques.

◆ Set up pavilions at the 2011 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition on the themes of “Taiwan Grouper” and “Fresh and Healthy Grouper Cuisine.”

Sep

◆ COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung led a group of 17 heads of irrigation associations and 43 heads of model irrigation teams to meet with President Ma Ying-jeou.

◆ COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung led a group formed by the Forestry Bureau and the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute to attend the First APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry. He proposed to strengthen exchanges of information with regard to prevention of cross-border forest pests, diseases, and alien invasive species, to prevent forest degradation in the Asia-Pacific region. The proposal was accepted, and was included as Item #8 in the Beijing Statement on Forests and Forestry.

◆ Typhoon Nanmadol caused losses to agriculture. The COA authorized special- case subsidies for bananas, watermelon, and dragon fruit in Pingtung County and for tomatoes in Kaohsiung City.

◆ The COA announced amendments to the Livestock Insurance Regulations. The main aim of the amendments is to bring livestock-raising households which are members of neither farmers associations nor agricultural cooperatives under the scope of the insurance program.

◆ Announced amendments to the regulations governing review of the annual operating budget for the Taiwan Province Irrigation Association. Main revisions included: (a) reducing the monthly fuel allowance for official vehicles while increasing the annual maintenance allowance for such vehicles; (b) establishing a graded system for the standards for transport subsidies for association officials and board members; (c) the use of funds for association officials and board members to travel abroad for observation of methods used in other countries; (d) the standards for appropriations for the special expenses of the Shihmen Irrigation Association.

◆ Completed and announced the Regulations Governing Domestic Branches of the Agricultural Bank of Taiwan.

◆ Announced that the grace period and repayment time-limit for low-interest natural-disaster recovery loans and for special-case loans for Typhoon Morakot, would be extended by one year beyond the times agreed in the original loan conditions.

◆ There was an outbreak of Newcastle Disease in pigeons in the state of Victoria, Australia. The COA removed Victoria from the list of places free of Newcastle Disease. Also, after Paraguay reported an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease to the World Organization for Animal Health (also known as the OIE), Taiwan suspended imports of beef from that country.

◆ The COA announced that grouper iridovirus would be classified as a “legally defined category C infectious animal disease.”

◆ The first shipment of Phalaenopsis in growth media from Taiwan arrived in Australia. The COA held a press conference to mark the event.

◆ The first energy-saving live-fish transport ship to be constructed under the government’s incentive program for such ships—the Tai Hung 39—undertook its maiden voyage.

◆ The COA organized the following activities: (1) an exhibition to show progress made by various “disaster-resistant communities”; (2) the WildView Taiwan Film Festival Conference, which was attended and addressed by Premier Wu Den-yih; (3) a press conference to promote the sale of saury during its high production season; (4) an event to draw attention to the outstanding achievements of 30 farmers associations which operate land banks (where would-be renters or buyers can find available farmland).

◆ The COA participated in the 2011 Taiwan International Cultural and Creative Industry Expo. Taking “rice” as the central theme, the COA’s display area focused on the highly refined rice culture of rural Taiwan and exhibited premium rice products.

◆ The 4th working session under the Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation in Inspection and Quarantine of Agricultural Products was held, reaching consensus on four points: (1) Once relevant procedures are completed, fresh oriental pears from Taiwan could be exported to mainland China starting at the end of 2011. (2) Simplified inspection and quarantine measures for the export of Taiwan pineapple to mainland China will be expedited by improvements at packing houses and by simplifying importation inspection. (3) Taiwan will send official personnel to conduct on-site inspection during mainland China’s cherry production season in 2012. (4) The application process for market access to mainland China for agro-products shall be speeded up, to promote the export of more high-quality and safe Taiwan agro-products to mainland China.

◆ The COA also held the following activities: (1) Ceremonies to honor the Top Ten Growers of Classic Rice for the Year 100 of the ROC. In addition to the ten individual awards, there was also a category for groups representing their home townships, in which three townships received recognition. (2) The 2011
World Pork Knuckle Festival. Master chefs were invited from ten countries in six continents to demonstrate how pork knuckle is used in their national cuisines. (3) Activities to promote the ornamental fish and aquarium industry, including the 2011 Taiwan International Aquarium Expo, a conference of the Asia- Pacific Ornamental Fish Union, and the International Koi Show. People from 21 countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Germany, participated. (4) A series of activities to promote rural tourism in eastern Taiwan, including the renovation of 100 scenic rural-leisure spots in Taitung and Hualien counties.

◆ The COA set up an Agricultural Pavilion at the 2011 Taipei International Invention Show and Technomart; 51 items of agro-technology were exhibited.

Oct

◆ In coordination with the national government’s “Golden Decade National Vision,” the COA completed long-range plans built around the axis of “agriculture of health and simplicity.” Besides continuing implementation of current major programs, the plans especially emphasize that (a) agriculture is not just growing food—rural areas can yield value in diverse ways and be multi-functional, and (b) all citizens should show respect for the many contributions made by rural residents to our society.

◆ The COA completed draft amendments for Articles 4 and 6 of the Provisional Act Governing Welfare Benefits for Elderly Farmers. The amendments were approved by the Executive Yuan on October 20 and sent to the Legislative Yuan on the same day for deliberations. (For the contents and impact of the amendments, see the first item under December, below.)

◆ Declared that, in the wake of Typhoon Nanmadol, victims in Pingtung County would be eligible to apply for low-interest natural-disaster recovery loans.

◆ Announced the names of three institutions as agro-chemical field-testing and inspection units: National Chung Hsing University’s agro-products and agro- chemical residue testing center, National Formosa University’s agriculture and biotechnology product-testing services center, and Great Victory Chemical Industry Company.

◆ Agreed that farmers’ associations with reinstated credit departments could apply to offer treasury overdraft services if they can meet five criteria: (1) two full years of operations; (2) approved for participation in deposit insurance; (3) a non-performing loan ratio of less than 1%; (4) a capital adequacy ratio in excess of 10%; (5) net worth of at least NT$30 million.

◆ Vice-Minister Wang of the COA led a group to participate in the 5th Taiwan- Philippines Agricultural Cooperation Conference. The Philippines made positive responses on issues of particular concern to Taiwan, including: (a) collection and exchange of livestock genetic resources, and (b) promotion of exports of male breeding ducks, and also goat sperm and embryos, through technical cooperation.

◆ The COA convened a multi-ministerial workshop on the designation of marine protected areas in Taiwan. The workshop passed a resolution to prohibit trawl (dragnet) fishing within three nautical miles of Taiwan’s baseline, and also decided that all conservation zones (including artificial reef zones, coral reef zones and areas prohibiting net fishery or light fishery) established under the Fisheries Act by local governments would be incorporated into the competence of national marine protected areas.

◆ Taiwan hosted the 2011 meeting of the APAARI executive committee, at which members discussed the future direction of the organization and its programs. At the same time we hosted a conference of experts in biotechnology, biosafety assessment, and biosecurity management, to promote positive policies in these areas.

◆ Service resumed on the Zhushan (or Jhushan) Line of the Alishan Forest Railway.
◆ The COA organized two major scholarly conferences: (1) The 2011 International Conference on Landscape Conservation. Landscape conservation experts from attending countries signed the Landscape Conservation Taipei Declaration. (2) The Cross-Strait Symposium on Biological Control of Crop Pests 2011. Eighty experts from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait were invited to the conference gave presentations on selected issues.

◆ The COA organized the Centennial International Wood Carving Event. More than 100 works were entered.

◆ Other COA-organized activities included: (1) The finals of the Mother Tian cooking competition. Twelve teams participated, with first prize going to the team from the Yuanmeng Workshop in Zhushan Township, Nantou County. (2) A festival to promote domestic poultry and a marketing campaign on behalf of “Taiwan Golden Chicken” premium chicken. (3) The first-ever competition for Taiwan’s Top 100 Rice Restaurants. Anyone could nominate and vote for their favorite restaurants, publicizing restaurants offering unique rice dishes and premium quality rice. (4) A presentation of results and presenting of awards for the summer rural-service program for college students; awards were presented personally by COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung.

◆ The COA also handed out “outstanding research awards” and “special contribution awards” for outstanding researchers and innovators in the field of breeding.

Nov

◆ The COA organized the unveiling ceremony for the Farmers’ Academy.

◆ Heavy rains in November caused losses to agriculture. The COA authorized special-case cash subsidies for various crops in four counties and cities; authorized special-case subsidies for paddy rice and other crops in seven cities and counties; and declared seven cities and counties to be natural disaster areas for the purposes of low-interest natural-disaster recovery loans.

◆ The COA announced amendments to Article 15 of the Agricultural Natural-Disaster Recovery Regulations and to the rules governing the items eligible for, and amounts available for, cash relief after natural disasters. The percentage of “special-case subsidies” that can be dispensed in the form of cash relief was raised from 50% to 80%. The former system of eight categories eligible for relief (including rice, grains, fruit orchards, etc) was revised into 14 items under eight categories, and the amounts available for relief were adjusted according to the costs of production and the particular cultivation and harvesting conditions for each item.

◆ Announced amendments to Article 10 of the Regulations Governing Business Guidance, Fund Accommodations, and Redeposit of Surplus Funds for the Credit Departments of Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations. Main points of the revisions included: (a) methods for calculating the surplus funds of credit departments; (b) the qualifications for domestic financial institutions receiving surplus finds, and limits on amounts that can be received; and (c) the relevant norms that credit departments should set internally for the limits to amounts that can be transferred.

◆ The COA attended the 22nd meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, held in Istanbul, Turkey. Along with South Africa, Brazil, Namibia, and Uruguay, we made a joint proposal regarding management of South Atlantic albacore; the proposal was adopted by consensus.
◆ Prompted banana firms to organize the Taiwan Banana Exporters Association.

◆ Invited local governments to participate in “national farmland rat eradication week,” with rat prevention work done on 580,000 hectares of land.

◆ Launched a marketing event for local milkfish and striped bass at 26 RT-Mart hypermarts across Taiwan and also held a related press conference.

◆ The COA also held the following events: (1) ROC Year 100 Farmers’ Movement Convention: 23 teams from various farmers’ organizations participated. (2) The Exhibition on Achievements at National Trails: 100 trails were selected in categories like “best autumn leaf scenery,” “best year-round floral scenery,” and “greatest historical and cultural interest.” (3) An awards ceremony recognizing excellence in conservation, use, and management of slopeland. Taipei City won in the “special municipality group,” while Yilan County won in the “counties and cities” group. (4) The Xinshe “sea of flowers” activity, which included 32 hectares of flower seas and carpets and six themed pavilions related to horticulture and natural rural lifestyles.

◆ At the 2011 annual conference of the Taiwan Geographic Information Society, the COA was awarded the “partner contribution award.”

◆ The 2011 Exposition of Industry-Academia Cooperation, Entrepreneurship Incubation, and Innovation Research was held. The COA received awards for protection and utilization of intellectual property rights, technology transfer, contributions by personnel responsible for the management of research results, and best agency in terms of management of the results of agricultural R&D.

◆ The COA organized a conference on the theme of cooperative development of indigenous vegetables as a means of coping with climate change and ensuring food security. Senior officials and scholars from Australia and other APEC member economics attended.

◆ The COA also organized: (1) An awards ceremony for the top ten agricultural PMGs (production and marketing groups) in the country; the awards were presented by ROC Vice President Siew. (2) An event to recognize contributions by specialists in the field of preventing and responding to debris-flow disasters.

Dec

◆ The Legislative Yuan passed amendments to Articles 4 and 6 of the Provisional Act Governing Welfare Benefits for Elderly Farmers, and the amendments were promulgated by the president on December 21. The subsidy (or “pension,” as it is often called) for elderly farmers was raised to NT$7000 per month, effective January 1, 2012. In addition, a regular mechanism was created to review and adjust the amount of this subsidy. The amount is to be reviewed once every four years and adjusted in line with rises in the consumer price index (CPI). The amount can only be increased, not decreased. Finally, after consideration of provisions in other welfare laws that exclude the wealthy from eligibility, as of 2013, after a one-year period to inform the public, all new applicants for subsidies for elderly farmers will be subject to rules excluding the wealthy from eligibility. These changes ensure that the government can meet its commitment to caring for elderly farmers while also ensuring social fairness and justice. The funding required for all increases to the welfare benefits for elderly farmers will come entirely from the central government.

◆ The COA announced the Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Eel and Abalone for Human Consumption from Australia.

◆ Completed and announced regulations under which the COA shall provide “opinions,” to the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TSEC) or the GreTai Securities Market (for OTC stocks), regarding the marketability of companies in the fields of agro-technology or innovative agriculture that wish to list on the TSEC or GreTai exchanges.

◆ Attended the 14th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.

◆ On the basis of the Inspection and Quarantine Regulations for Export of Oriental Pears from Taiwan to Mainland China, oriental pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) from Taiwan were exported to Mainland China, marking the opening of the mainland market to this fruit export.

◆ The COA held the following events: (1) The 2012 exposition of the Top 100 products produced by farmers’or fishermen’s associations. The COA also promoted recognition of the special verification label for these top 100 products. (2) An activity to promote travel to “seas of flowers” in seven locations in Hualien and Taitung counties. (3) An activity to recognize outstanding GAP production and marketing groups (PMGs) and local farmers’associations (10 PMGs and 19 local farmers’ associations were recognized) as well as “outstanding organizations and individuals in organic farming.” (4) A ceremony to present awards to 48 primary-school or middle- school students who produced outstanding essays or comics on the subject of soil and water conservation.

◆ The COA presented awards, for the third year, to entrepreneurs in the field of technology-based agro-businesses. Five firms received awards in the category of “innovative research and development,” and another five in the category of “applied technology.”

◆ The COA also: (1) Organized an annual conference for national forest volunteers, at which volunteers exchanged experiences and introduced examples of new and successful volunteer services. (2) Held a press conference to introduce the “Bravo! Rural Village” mobile tour-guide App for the Android system.

◆ The COA also held the following awards ceremonies: (1) Presentation of CAS certification to firms that met all qualifications and received verification in 2011. (2) Recognition, in the first balloting of its kind, of the Top 100 Rice Restaurants. (At this same event, Vice-President Vincent Siew, COA Chairman Chen Wu- hsiung, and well-known athletes, nutritionists, chefs, and celebrities signed a “Manifesto in Support of Taiwan Rice.”) (3) Recognition for the year 2011 of 66 firms selling premium quality agro-chemicals. (4) The second annual awards for premium quality seafood, at which 20 firms received approval to use the “Haiyan” label (guaranteeing premium qualit y) on 21 products. (5) The third annual awards for Taiwan Mullet Roe Top Ten.

◆ A ceremony was held to commemorate the maiden shipment of Taiwan rice exported to Japan.

◆ Two events were held to mark the release of new books by the COA: Kanjian Taiwan Xiangqian de Shengmingli and Nongye Chao You Geng.

◆ The COA hosted the 2011 International Conference on Grouper Aquaculture.

The event attracted nearly 600 experts and aquaculture operators from 11 countries, and was considered the event of the year for 2011 in the grouper industry.