Food security

Devising strategies to cope with climate change

Acting on the basis of the “Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change in Taiwan,” adopted by the Executive Yuan on June 25, 2012, the COA has created a “National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan for the Areas of Agricultural Production and Biodiversity (2013-1017).”

Action measures for agricultural production include: (1) promoting optimal use of farmland through planned use of land resources and space; (2) creating a food security system, promoting a food production adjustment plan, and revitalizing use of farmland; (3) implementing the slopeland agriculture transformation plan; (4) strengthening Taiwan’s climate monitoring and early warning system; (5) altering fishing and aquaculture methods and strengthening early warning and adjustment mechanisms for fisheries production and marketing, which will encourage sustainable use of resources; (6) R&D to produce and utilize new varieties of plant and animal life that will be resistant to adverse circumstances (via germplasm exchanges, breeding, etc.); (7) creating a sustainable forestry management model, strengthening stand structure, and increasing afforestation.

Action measures for biodiversity include: (1) implementation of the COA’s germplasm preservation plan, strengthening the preservation and optimal use of genetic diversity; (2) construction of a monitoring and reporting system for national biodiversity indicators, as well as evaluation of vulnerabilities and risks, in order to provide a basis for drafting of environmentally friendly policies.

Active participation in APEC action plans

In 2012, Taiwan, as a member economy of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, proposed an “Initiative to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships to Reduce Losses in the Food Supply Chain.” In June of 2013 this proposal won approval and funding from APEC, making it the first multi- year agricultural project ever approved by APEC and was incorporated into Joint Ministerial Statement of the 25th APEC Ministers Meeting, specifically in Paragraph 72 of that Statement, thereby recognizing its importance and affirming Taiwan’s enduring efforts to ensure food security.

The COA began working on this project, whose goal is to devise cross-sectoral methods to reduce food losses, in 2013 and has been: (a) studying the entire supply chain bringing agro-products from farm to table, (b) enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors and among APEC member economies, and (c) strengthening the role of the private sector.

The COA also hosted an international seminar in Taipei, running from August 5 to 8 of 2013, on the strengthening of public-private partnerships to reduce food losses in the supply chain. APEC placed considerable importance on this seminar, sending media managers from the APEC Secretariat and spreading the word about the seminar on their website. The seminar brought together some 120 representatives from 18 APEC member economies, internationally renowned scholars and experts, and representatives of the APEC Secretariat.

The conference was highly successful at allowing representatives of the public and private sectors to exchange ideas and experiences, explore the challenges of food wastage in the Asia-Pacific region, and devise strategies to reduce wastage in every link in the food supply chain for core staples (paddy rice, wheat, corn, cassava, sweet potato, etc.). Participants worked (1) to devise practical follow-up measures for the next four years, (2) to establish a comprehensive understanding of the food wastage situation in individual APEC member economies, and (3) to reach consensus on a common evaluation mechanism for estimating food wastage. By addressing these issues, the conference paved the way for future policy promotion and implementation toward achieving the goal of Asia-Pacific regional food security. The conference also highlighted Taiwan’s critical role in, and important contributions to, the effort to reduce food wastage in the region and strengthen food security for all APEC members.

Local production, local consumption

Promoting creative rice applications, local agro-products

Taiwan can enhance food security by promoting rice-based cuisine to reduce reliance on imports. One promotional method the COA uses is to hold rice expos. At the 2013 Taiwan Rice Expo, important themes included: (a) a competition on creative and diversified use of rice flour; (b) selection and awarding of prizes for “Top Ten Classic Rice”; and (c) submission of short Internet videos. A total of 12,000 participants joined these activities. There were also interactive exhibition areas for “rice culinary culture” and “processed rice products” where people could do hands-on learning, as well as taste-testing events for instant rice noodles and rice-based baked goods, with 2,796 participants. A further 1,300 people joined in a special activity for parents and kids to try their hand at rice planting.

The COA also launched a program to give school children a first-hand taste of rice cultivation. We subsidized 45 units and 55 primary schools to participate, with actual participation by 6,261 school children. This project incorporated information about the nutritional value of rice-based cuisine as well as consumer marketing.

Diversified uses for rice flour

In 2013, activities to promote use of rice flour included: (a) four rice flour demonstration and promotion events (315 persons); (b) training classes in diversified uses of rice flour (169 persons); (c) four competitions for creative new rice flour based products; (d) development of 39 Chinese-style recipes for noodles and baked goods; (e) publication of a rice flour handbook; (f) provision of 16 formulas and production processes. Our goal is to create applications of rice flour that will give it a more sophisticated image and appeal, while also being convenient.

Promoting local or regional agro-products

The COA works with local governments and farmers’organizations to hold exhibitions of their products. In 2013 we organized 160 exhibitions at the Hope Farmers Market in Taipei, with total sales surpassing NT$300 million. Also, to create a sales platform for small farmers, we founded the Jiji Township open-air farmers market in Nantou County and also a trial direct sales point for the Hualien City Farmers’ Association.

Adding value to domestic agro-products

In 2013 the COA guided relevant groups in establishing an HADH activity assay method, and undertook comparative experiments, in order to improve the image of domestic poultry products among consumers and to add value to these products. The COA also developed processing devices such as (i) a descaler for grouper and (ii) an energy-saving dryer for seafood products. In addition, we did R&D to create a variety of new added-value foods, such as a perch soup made with Chinese traditional herbal medicine, fish sausages, and barbecue foods made from milkfish and saury.

Strengthening safety management of agro-products

Traceability system for domestic beef

In 2013, the COA continued to put into effect the “domestic beef traceability system” which we launched in 2012, including the following activities: (1) A total of 25,400 ear ID tags were distributed through local governments and animal husbandry groups, and ranchers were assisted in the task of tagging each of their cattle with an individual ID. (2) Three surveys were conducted of cattle ranches to verify ID numbers and movements of cattle, in order to keep the database of information for the domestic beef industry accurate and up to date. (3) The COA held four seminars to explain the traceability system, simultaneously introducing new professional techniques and information to ranchers. (4) A total of 33 sales outlets specializing in domestic beef were visited in person and instructed in the use of the “Taiwan Beef Collective Brand” labeling system, a system which will give consumers a reliable means to distinguish and purchase domestic beef.

In addition, the COA aims to encourage the domestic beef industry to modernize and upgrade its production and marketing. In 2013 we held two classes in butchering techniques for domestic beef producers. We also formed a service team of beef-industry experts, which assisted six cattle ranches, seven cattle slaughterhouses, and three cattle butchering operators to impove their operations. Of these, two ranches and one slaughterhouse have already been certified for participation in the traceability system.

Expanding the traceability system for agro-products

The Agricultural Production and Certification Act created the legal basis for promoting a traceability system for the production and marketing of agro-products. As of the end of 2013, 12 certification bodies were accredited for this system. The system is divided into eight major areas: (a) general crops, (b) organic crops, (c) processed crops, (d) livestock, (e) poultry, (f) processed livestock and poultry, (g) aquaculture products, and (h) processed fisheries products. As of the end of 2013, there were 1052 agro-businesses with valid certifications, supplying 149 types of farm, fisheries, and animal products, with 2013 production value of NT$5.45 billion.

In addition, the COA has been pursuing two other avenues to promote traceable agro-products: (a) enhanced consumer information and (b) playing “matchmaker” between producers and sales outlets. In 2013, four major supermarket chains (158 locations) in Taiwan agreed to establish specialized counters featuring traceable agro-products. In 2013, 1.74 million traceable agro-product labels were printed per month on average, a huge increase of 54% over the same figure for 2012 (1.13 million).

The Gi-Am-Pu system for safe fruits and vegetables

The Safe Agricultural Practices audit and labeling system for safe fruits and vegetables, also known as the Gi-Am-Pu system, was launched in 1993. It has been very successful and has served as the cornerstone of all of the COA’s subsequent food safety programs. The Gi-Am-Pu label includes a nine- digit number allowing the producer to be traced, thereby ensuring responsible production among farmers and peace of mind for consumers. Trust in the program has been built up steadily over time, and the Gi-Am-Pu label now serves an important role in market differentiation. As of the end of 2013, a total of 2,126 fruit and vegetable “production and marketing groups” (PMGs) had passed Gi-Am- Pu review and earned the right to use the label. They accounted for 25,698 hectares of land, over 160 different types of fruit and vegetables, and about 550,000 metric tons of production volume.

To further promote marketing of Gi-Am-Pu products, the COA has set up a system of double- packaging for 31 types of Gi-Am-Pu-audited fruits and vegetables which are traded through the wholesale markets in Taipei, Sanchong, and Taichung. Total trading volume in 2013 was 22,774 metric tons. We have also arranged to have special product displays or counters set up in 137 locations in chain supermarkets, and brokered contracts between farmers and supermarkets for the former to supply the latter with Gi-Am-Pu-audited fruits and vegetables, thus making them readily accessible to consumers.

Adding value to organic farming

An important goal here at the COA is to promote organic farming. For example, we have (a) formed a consulting services team specializing in organic agricultural techniques, (b) helped farmers apply for certification of their farms as organic, (c) promoted the formation of special zones dedicated exclusively to organic farming, and (d) expanded production of organic agro-products. There are as of this writing 14 bodies accredited to certify organic products, along with 2988 households certified to be engaging in organic farming, cultivating 5951 hectares of land, with total production value of NT$3.6 billion. Included in these figures are 14 special organic farming zones (cultivating 642 hectares of land), 12 “organic villages” (593 hectares), and 10 areas worked by organic-farming collective organizations (357 hectares).

Tests are regularly conducted to ensure the authenticity, quality and safety of organic products. In 2013 there were 1,883 tests of the quality of agro-products, with 98.9% meeting the required standards. There were also 3,070 label tests, with 97.8% passing. As for imported organic agro- products, there were 1606 cases in which documentation for certification as “organic” was reviewed and approved, with total import volume of 9,189 metric tons.

In terms of organic livestock operations, as of the end of 2013 three livestock operations (total of five products) had been certified, as had two firms that produce processed organic livestock products (total of two products). Also, the COA handled 41 applications for imports of organic livestock products, with total import volume of 80 metric tons.

The CAS labeling system for Taiwan premium agro-products

The CAS label was launched in 1989. The system encourages domestic agro-businesses to produce premium- quality agro-products in order to qualify for use of the label, and it also drives development in related industries and protects the rights and interests of food consumers. As of the end of 2013, the CAS system covered 16 categories, and 6,467 products made by 325 firms were certified to use the label.

To ensure that CAS labeled products are genuinely high quality, the COA has strengthened production tracing and risk management. When inspections are conducted, the entire factory is checked to see that everything is up to standard. If there are any shortcomings, the COA rigorously enforces the termination mechanism. In 2013 certifications for a total of 803 products, made by 39 firms, were terminated.

CAS certification requires three levels of quality control: (a) testing done by the producers themselves, (b) inspections, sampling, and testing of products by accredited certification bodies, and (c) monitoring and management by government agencies as authorized by law. In 2013 accredited certification bodies conducted 1,052 inspections, and sample-tested 3,490 products, with over 98% meeting requirements. For products that did not come up to standards, producers had to make improvements within a fixed deadline or lose their certification. Where there were violations of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, the COA notified the health agencies with jurisdiction to investigate and enforce the law. In addition, government agencies take the initiative to inspect CAS labels and product labels at points of sale. In 2013, 11,816 items were inspected, and tests were run on 277 samples. Violators were punished under the Agricultural Production and Certification Act.

Testing for pesticide residue, veterinary-drugs residue, and radiation

In order to ensure that the food citizens consume is safe, the COA has continually been testing for (a) pesticide residues, (b) veterinary pharmaceuticals residues, and (c) radiation (especially since the Fukushima earthquake tsunami). In 2013, we conducted pesticide residue tests in the fields and in product concentration points, including 7,983 cases of tests on fruits and vegetables, 2,000 on tea leaves, and 1,502 on paddy rice, using 520,000 biochemical assays. We also conducted 1465 cases of tests for residual pharmaceuticals in animal feed (both feed produced by companies as well as home-made feed used by livestock farmers), and conducted tests on 43,000 samples of livestock and poultry products. In cases where the tested samples did not meet requirements, the producers were investigated and punished according to law, and were added to the list of firms needing stronger oversight and further guidance.

To deter illegal use of pharmaceuticals, the COA increased the fines that can be imposed under the Veterinary Drugs Control Act. The new fines went into effect on January 23, 2013. Already sixteen local governments (municipalities, cities, counties) have increased their fines in accordance with the revised law, especially increasing fines for repeat offenders, to ensure that violators are duly punished and encouraged to amend their operations, with the goal of ensuring that everyone appropriately uses veterinary pharmaceuticals so that our country’s food products are safe to consume.

Meat inspections at slaughterhouses

As of the end of 2013, the COA dispatched a total of 576 certified meat inspectors to conduct inspections in slaughterhouses nationwide. Moreover, official veterinarians of the branch offices of the COA’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) conducted unscheduled on-site inspections. In 2013 our inspectors checked 8.64 million livestock and more than 280 million poultry, of which 1.65 million livestock and 8.36 million poultry were, in whole or in part, discarded because they were not up to standard. These measures ensure that carcasses unfit for human consumption do not reach the market.

Strengthening inspection and testing of rice sold to the public at markets

As another food safety measure, the COA also inspects rice that is for sale to the public. Inspections are conducted both on a regular basis and on an unscheduled basis. We inspect the labeling on the packages and also the quality of the contents and their external appearance. For rice that fails to meet standards, acting under Paragraph 2 of Article 18 of the Food Administration Act, the COA can: (a) issue notifications to bring the products up to standard within a specified time period, or (b) punish violators by fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, or NT$40,000 to NT$200,000, depending on the specific offense. We conducted 1128 random-sample inspections in 2013, issued 111 notifications to improve, and issued 38 citations with fines totaling NT$1.99 million.

To further strengthen enforcement of food safety for rice sold to the public, in September of 2013 the COA drafted amendments to the rules governing punishments for violations of the Food Administration Act, and sent these to the Cabinet, which approved them on December 26 and sent them to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Major points include: (a) raising the upper limit on fines from NT$200,000 to NT$4 million, (b) prohibiting the mixing of domestic and imported rice in the same package, (c) stronger tracing and management of imported rice, and (d) giving the COA the option to withdraw a violator’s license to sell rice, in cases where violations lead to severe consequences.

Reducing use of chemical fertilizers

The COA has long been encouraging farmers to use less chemical fertilizer. In 2008 the COA’s various local research stations, extension stations, and institutes formed consulting teams to provide advice to farmers on moderate and appropriate fertilizer use. In 2013 these teams held 405 teaching events with 16,000 participating farmers, and conducted 41,000 tests of soil fertility or diagnoses of fertilizer needs. The COA has also set up demonstration farms where farmers can learn optimal methods of fertilizer use.

It is important to note that this policy is closely coordinated with others, including the policy of providing special guidance and incentives to farmers who are (i) revitalizing unused farmland, (ii) engaging in safe agriculture, and (iii) pursuing organic farming. In this way, the COA brings intergrated concepts of crop-health management to the attention of farmers and changes the way land is cultivated. These overlapping policies have the mutually reinforcing effects of reducing fertilizer use, encouraging more organic farming, and improving the conditions for sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

Other actions in 2013 under the policy of moderating use of chemical fertilizers included the following: (1) The COA organized 61 events where farmers could get hands-on lessons in fertilizer use. (2) A total of 116 interviews with COA experts on this subject appeared in the media. (3) A total of 168 articles on this subject appeared in agricultural magazines. (4) The COA set up a special “moderate fertilizer use” heading on our webpage, with 42,000 hits by the end of 2013. (5) In October of 2013, the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station held two expert- level conferences on rationalizing use of chemical fertilizers.

The results of all these efforts have been excellent. In 2013 chemical fertilizer use in Taiwan was 21,000 metric tons lower than it was in 2012.

Strengthening inspection and quarantine measures for animals and plants

Steady implementation of FMD prevention and control strategy

The COA has for a long time partly subsidized vaccinations against foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease. However, we have observed that there are still some pig farms with low protective immunity against FMDV. Despite the fact that both the central and local governments subsidize vaccines and are ready to provide guidance and advice at all times, some hog raisers have failed to comply with the FMD vaccination program.

In 2013 the COA comprehensively reassessed our methods and devised a new set of coordinated measures, including: (a) amending the surveillance criteria for penalties; (b) liberalizing the market in vaccines to enlarge the supply of, and diversify sources of, vaccines; (c) strengthening vaccination and disinfection measures at high-risk farms; (d) strengthening and evaluating the cleaning and disinfection procedures in meat markets, slaughterhouses, and transport vehicles; (e) rewarding Livestock Disease Control Centers, livestock industry groups, and livestock farmers, in localities with the highest success in prevention and control of FMD; and (f) reviewing subsidy/ compensation policies for FMD control and prevention.

With the new measures in place, by the end of 2013, the FMD vaccination rate for cloven-hoofed animals exceeded 90%, and the herd immunity rate at cloven-hoofed animal farms reached 80%. This shows that farmers who take prevention and control measures play a critical role in the effective control and eradication of FMD. At the same time the government makes important contributions in modulating strategies to close loopholes and gaps in the FMD-prevention process. As a result, Taiwan is steadily making strides toward our goal of being certified as a country completely free of FMD.

Management of high-risk pesticides

The COA has been working to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides. We have conducted safety evaluations of pesticides deemed to pose higher dangers to users, the environment, and food consumers. Based on these evaluations, we have adopted various measures to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides, including: (i) restricting their use, (ii) modifying pesticide formulations, (iii) reducing dangerous ingredients, or (iv) banning their use altogether.

On two occasions in 2013 (July 12 and August 15) we announced timetables for phasing out the use of various pesticides (11 in total, including 10% Mevinphos EC). By the end of December of 2013, we had announced to the public 34 types of highly- toxic agro-pesticides to be regulated. Of these, we banned 12 outright, while the remainder are still being evaluated with the goal of phasing them all out eventually. The COA has continually: (a) played a leading role in getting local governments (municipalities, cities, counties) to control the sales of these pesticides; (b) conducted regular evaluations; (c) held regular conferences to gather the assessments of experts; and (d) eliminated pesticides which are little-used or have safer substitutes available. We will continue to strengthen management of pesticide use and reduce risks posed by pesticides.

Appropriate use of pesticides

One problem in the safety of agro-products is that some crops lack authorized effective pesticides, and as a consequence some farmers use unauthorized pesticides on these crops in violation of relevant laws. Thus the COA aims to ensure that pesticides are used safely where needed. To this end, in March of 2009 the COA promulgated the “Agro-Pesticide Field Trial Test Standards” and “Crop Grouping and Agro-Pesticide Extension of Authorization Practice Methods” and began pro-actively extending the authorizations on agro-pesticides.

As of the end of 2013, 2,042 application methods of agro-pesticides were announced under the categories of “fruits” and “vegetables.” Also, the COA has requested that the Department of Health coordinate with our policy and establish maximum residue limit standards for 849 items. We have thus solved regulatory problems that led to a lack of available pesticides affecting numerous crops. We will continue with this work in the future, while taking into account the requirements of plant protection and the safety and healthfulness of agro-products.

Preventing non-native diseases and harmful insects from entering Taiwan

The COA maintains constant vigilance in inspection and quarantine (I&Q) of plants, animals, and their products at our borders, in order to ensure that no exotic pests are brought into the country. In 2013, we conducted 390,000 sets of tests on plants, animals, and their products, totaling 13.72 million metric tons (MT), both for export and import. Of these, there were 450 cases (1339 MT) in which imported animal items did not meet I&Q requirements, and 496 cases (7591 MT) in which imported plant items failed to meet I&Q requirements. Non-compliant products were, in accord with regulations, returned to their place of origin or destroyed. The COA also has posted 39 detector dog teams at international airports and harbors to inspect passenger luggage, and at the mail center to inspect mailed packages. In 2013 there were over 48,000 cases in which they intercepted illegal plant and animal items (totaling 53 MT).

With particular respect to the outbreak of H7N9 avian influenza in mainland China, the COA has strengthened inspection of shipping containers coming from mainland China as well as the luggage of travelers arriving from the mainland. We are also working with anti-smuggling agencies to block smuggling of plant or animal items from mainland China. In 2013, 226 live animals were confiscated, as were 15,000 kilograms of livestock and poultry products, thereby effectively preventing smuggling from becoming a channel by which exotic animal diseases or pests can enter Taiwan.

The COA continually monitors and collects information about epidemic disease conditions in other countries, and adopts appropriate counter-measures and regulations. In 2013, we completed 21 relevant studies, including risk assessment studies and surveys of non-infected areas. We also conducted 1698 random-sample tests of imported animals or animal products. We are fully committed to effectively implementing bio-security measures for Taiwan.