January

● The COA f inaliz ed and announc ed t he "Regulations for Use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Fishing Vessels" and the "Regulations Governing High Risk Areas Being Threatened by Pirates or Illegal Armed Force."

● Finalized and announced “Methods of Testing for Fresh and Thawed Frozen Chicken Meat."

● Published amendments to "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Plants or Plant Products into the Republic of China," Part B (Quarantine Requirements for Enterable Plants or Plant Products Under Precautionary Requirements), item 1, Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Lily Flower Bulbs from The Netherlands.

● Finalized and announced "Regulations for Management of Crab Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Taiwan."

● The COA sent represent at ives to the 2nd commission meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO).

● The Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Committee convened its third meeting.

● COA Minister Chen Bao-ji was part of the delegation that traveled along with President Ma Ying-jeou on a state visit to Sao Tome & Principe, Burkina Faso, and Honduras.

● The COA founded the Agricultural Technology Research Institute.

● Began the implementation of review tasks for vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies on the main island of Taiwan.

● Officially launched an App designed for use by people who want to go mountain hiking.

● Organized a press conference promoting consumption of fish at Lunar New Year feasts.

● Held 2014 "rural regeneration" rural clean-up drive activities.

● Held a forum on strategies for marketing food products in Singapore and Malaysia

February

● The COA finalized and announced "Afforestation Operation Directions for Infertile Farmland Verified by the Farming System Adjustment and Farmland Revitalization Program."

● Published an amended version of Article 12 of the "Regulations for Labeling of Agro-Pesticides."

● Announced amendments to Articles 1, 3, 4-1, 5, 7, 8, and 12 of the "Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine."

● The COA announced amendments to: (a) "Regulations Governing Policy-Oriented Special Agricultural Loans"; (b) "Directions for Loans for the Agricultural Food Industry in Guidance and Assistance of Management"; (c) "Directions for Loans for the Fisheries Industry in Guidance and Assistance of Management"; (d) "Directions for Loans for Farmers and Fishermen in Guidance and Assistance of Management Improvement"; (e) "Directions for Preferential Loans for Businesses Which Move into the Agricultural Technology Park"; (f) "Directions for Loans for Agriculture Production-and-Marketing Groups and Members"; (g) "Directions for Loans for the Small Landlords, Big Tenants Policy"; and (h) “Directions for Loans for Youth Establishing Agricultural Businesses."

● Announced amendments to "Directions for Examining Agricultural Financial Institutions and Information Sharing Centers by the Financial Services Commission, Commissioned by the COA."

● Helped businesses firms to form groups to take part in the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival.

● Took part in bilateral talks: (a) with Sri Lanka to discuss better administration of offloading of catches in Sri Lankan ports by ROC fishing vessels; and (b) with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).

● Took part in the 14th meeting of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries.

● Completed a national audit of grain merchant registrations.

● Took part in the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival by displaying lanterns reflective of lifestyles, economic activities, and ecologies of rural communities in Taiwan.

March

● The COA announced amendments to some articles of the "Regulations for Training and Regulation of Managers of Agro-Pesticides Dealers."

● Required that poultry sold on the market be labeled as "thawed frozen meat" or "cold storage meat" as appropriate, and required a clear distinction within display cases so that the different types of poultry are not mixed together.

● Helped local animal quarantine authorities to do increased sampling of meat hogs weighing 130 kg or more (not including black hogs or culled breeding hogs).

● Attended several international fisheries meetings, including: (a) the International Fishing Capacity Conference “Global Fishing Capacity—Less is More” (including a bilateral meeting with Maria Damanaki, the Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission); (b) the 6th Session of the Preparatory Conference for the North Pacific Fisheries Commission and the International Symposium for Pacific Saury; and (c) the Preparatory Meeting of the Fourth APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting.

● Held the Taiwan International Orchid Show 2014.

● Held events to commemorate 2014 Arbor Day, and gave out 3,000 seedlings.

● Held major disaster preparedness drills in Yilan, Taitung, and Changhua counties, and funded landslide prevention and rescue drills held by local governments throughout Taiwan.

● Joined with the Yunlin County Government to invite farmer’s groups and garlic producers for discussions of 2013-2014 measures to adjust production volume.

● Attended the Asian Productivity Organization’s Eco-Products International Fair 2014, set up a Green Agriculture Pavilion.

● Helped business firms to form groups to take part in Seafood Expo North America and Foodex Japan.

● Held activities designed to encourage young people to find employment in the aquaculture industry.

● Held a press conference to announce the winners of four prizes for the best publications related to the fisheries industry.

April

● The COA published: (a) the "Administrative Directions for Pre-Cooling Facilities for Cold Treatment of Export Fresh Fruit"; (b) the "Administrative Directions for Quarantine Treatment Facilities for Import Plants or Plant Products."

● Published an amendment to "The Varieties of Highly Toxic Formulated Agro- Pestcides."

● Announced: (a) amendments to "Directions for Applications for Recreational Agriculture Facilities Permitted on Recreational Farms"; and (b) the regulations governing the type and boundaries of the Taoyuan Guan Xi algal-reef ecosystem major wildlife habitat.

● The COA signed a memorandum for cooperation with the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

● Held a ceremony to mark the launching of a seawater supply station for aquaculture operations in Pingtung County.

● Attended the 8th round of talks with the US under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

● The Agreement between Singapore and Taiwan on Economic Partnership (ASTEP) entered into force.

● The COA helped business firms to organize groups to take part in Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai, the Seoul Seafood Show, and Food and Hotel Asia 2014 Singapore.

● Attended the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) Executive Committee Meeting and the 16th meeting of the steering committee of the Asia Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology (APCoAB).

● Signed a memorandum on cooperation in reforestation with the Environmental Quality Protection Foundation.

● Completed the first national unified examination for persons seeking employment at farmer's associations at all levels.

● Held elections to select the chairpersons and commission members of 15 irrigation associations.

● Held the 2014 disaster preparedness drill and held a ceremony to honor people certified as "debris-flow disaster-preparedness specialists."

● Held a press conference to announce the launch of activities connected with Soil and Water Conservation Month.

May

● The COA published amendments to the Appendix to Article 4, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the "Standards for Agro-Pesticide Field Testing, Crop Grouping, and Agro-Pesticide Extension of Authorization Implementation Method."

● Announced amendments to Paragraphs 3 and 4 of “Directions for Stocking Registers and Inspection for the Aquaculture Industry in Taiwan."

● Finalized evaluation procedures for offshore applications of COA research and development results.

● Following exist ing rules gov erning poultry, the COA adopted the same rules for the sale of pork and began to require mandatory labelling of "thawed frozen meat" or "fresh-chilled meat" as appropriate, and also to require a clear distinction within display shelves so that the different types of pork are not mixed together.

● The COA: (a) attended the 9th session of talks under the Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation in Inspection and Quarantine of Agricultural Products, and (b) authorized the Taiwan Fisheries Association to hold the 2014 cross-strait conference on fisheries enhancement.

● Attended the following APEC events: (a) the 2nd APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and the 5th Meeting of the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade; and (b) the 3rd Meeting of the APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) and the 6 th Informal Consultation on International Cooperation for Conservation and Management of Japanese Eel Stock and Other Relevant Eel Species.

● The COA helped business firms t o organize groups to take part in the World Tea Expo and the 2014 Seafood Expo Global.

● Sent representatives to the 2014 World Coral Reef Conference.

● Attended the following meetings of fisheries organizations: (a) a meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna; and (b) the 18th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and related side sessions.

● Officials of the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service came to Taiwan for annual inspections of growers qualified to export orchids in growing media to the US, while quarantine officials from Japan and South Korea came to Taiwan to conduct experimental quarantine testing of export mangos and lychees.

● The COA awarded scholarships totaling NT$663,888,000 to the children of farmers and fishermen for the second semester of the 2013-2014 school year. In all, 86,001 students benefitted from these scholarships.

● Helped the Yunlin County Government deal with garlic overproduction by increasing garlic exports and offering storage incentives.

● Held activities to promote diversified methods of animal adoption at shelters throughout Taiwan.

● Launched an online application system for dog/cat import permits for the general public.

● Helped the Taiwan Joint Irrigation Association hold a ceremony to recognize the winners of the 2014 awards for top performers in efficiency in the use of resources and in water conservation.

● Held a competition to select participants in our program to encourage urban university students to spend time working and living in rural communities.

● Held an exhibition on the ecology of ocean islands.

● Helped the National Fishermen 's Association hold an event to promote the sale of fisheries products.

● Held a series of activities to mark "Water Conservancy Month."

● Completed the 1st session of training for mid-level and senior COA officials.

June

● The COA finalized and announced "Operational Directions for the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, to Provide Innovation and Creativity Opinions to the Go Incubation Board for Startup and Acceleration Firms."

● Finalized and announced "Methods for Testing for Fresh and Thawed Frozen Pork."

● Published amendments to: (a) the "Plant Protection and Quarantine Act"; (b) Paragraph 7 and Supplement 3-13 of "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Animals and Animal Products; and (c) "Quarantine Requirement s f or Biological S amples Imported for Experimental and Research Purposes."

● Published amendments to: (c) Article 10 of the "Regulations for Authorizing the Applications for Manufacture and Import of Non-Licensed Agro-Pestcides"; and (b) "Taiwan Good Agricultural Practices (TGAP) Rules for Finned Aquaculture Products."

● Announced amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of "Regulations for the Certification of Qualified Members and Screening Procedures of Base- Level Farmers Associations."

● The COA attended: (a) the 11th round of agricultural cooperation talks between Taiwan and Australia, and (b) the 2014 agricultural policy meeting between Taiwan and Japan.

● Also attended: (a) World Aquaculture 2014, and (b) the 31st session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Committee on Fisheries.

● COA Deputy Minister Wang Cheng-teng, at the invitation of the US Grains Council, led a delegation to the US to tour hog-raising operations and engage in talks with US hog industry representatives on a memorandum for cooperation.

● The COA helped businesses to form a group to participate in the International Floriculture Expo in the US.

● Hosted international conferences on: (a) data and information regarding agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region; (b) hog-raising technologies; and (c) hog-breeding technologies.

● Linhousilin Forest Park opened to the public.

● The COA held a national workshop for the administrative heads of local government agricultural agencies.

● Launched a one-stop (single window) online platform for agricultural sector help-wanted ads.

● Held the 2014 Taipei International Food Show and set up the Taiwan Pavilion there.

● The historical architecture of "Hinoki Village" and a public art work called "Song of the Forest" located on Alishan (Mt. Ali) received top honors at the FIABCI-Taiwan Real Estate Excellence Awards.

● The COA held press conferences to announce: (a) adoption of a national action plan for the protection of seabirds; and (b) corporate donations to a plan for the protection of Chinese box turtles.

● Completed the 2nd session of training for mid-level COA officials.

● Held ceremonies to mark the installation of persons elected as the chairpersons and commission members of 15 irrigation associations.

July

● The government promulgated an amended version of Article 3 of the "Provisional Act Governing the Welfare Allowance for Elderly Farmers."

● The COA published the "Operational Directions for Safety Review of Features of Post-Entry Quarantine Sites for Importation of the Articles Specified."

● Published amendments to Supplement 2 of Article 4 of "Veterinary Drugs Uses Regulations."

● The COA: (a) attended the 87th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and related meetings of sub-committees, and (b) hosted the 14 th meeting of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean.

● COA Minister Chen Bao-ji led a group to the US to strengthen Taiwan-US cooperation in the areas of agricultural technology and assistance for regional agricultural development, and to exchange views on promotion of trade in agricultural goods and the signing of a bilateral investment agreement.

● Held an int ernat ional conf erence on Agricultural Enterprise Zones.

● Helped business firms organize a group to take part in the 21st World Orchid Conference in South Africa, 23Enflor & 11a Garden Fair in Brazil, and SuperZoo 2014 in the US.

● COA Minister Chen Bao-ji attended the national conference on trade and economic affairs.

● The COA began requiring t he use of compulsory certificates of origin (ear tags or brands) for cattle slaughtering and accompanying certificates of proof of source.

● The COA approved proposals to assist victims of Typhoon Matmo through the provision of low-interest loans and cash, as follows: (a) announced cash assistance and low-interest loans to persons affected by agricultural disasters in specified areas of Hualien County, and (b) announced that farmers in Yilan County and Taitung County would be eligible for low-interest disaster-relief loans.

● Streamlined the application procedures for former Taiwan-resident dogs and cats returning from mainland China by using the "Web-Based Animal and Plant Quarantine Application and Certification System."

● Hinoki Village in Chiayi City opened to the public.

● The O-A-Liao Fish Market building in Kaohsiung, whose construction was subsidized by the COA, formally opened. This is the first fish market in Taiwan with HACCP (hazard analysis critical control points) certification for its safety management system.

● The COA launched "Scient ific and Technological Agribusiness Advisory Services."

● Held: (a) a press conference to announce the start of the 2014 Ecological Film Festival; (b) activities to celebrate 2014 National Fishermen's Day; and (c) a ceremony to mark the completion of the Badouzi Harbor district scenic-design project.

● Granted permission for the Tu Cheng Farmers' Association to open a new credit department branch.

● Set up the "Agricultural Technology Pavilion" for the Bio Taiwan 2014 trade show at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall.

● Promoted "theme tours" in rural areas in Hualien and Taitung counties.

August

● The COA announced amendments to some articles of "Application and Approval Regulations for the Welfare Allowance for Elderly Farmers."

● Published a new rule requiring all parties to file a "Place-of-Origin Form for Wax Apples to be Exported to Mainland China" when conducting such exports.

● Announced a set of support measures from agricultural financial institutions for parties affected by the gas explosions in Kaohsiung.

● Sent representatives to participate in the 10th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

● Attended the fourth APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting and the 3rd APEC Blue Economy Forum.

● Helped business firms form a group to take part in the Holland Koi Show.

● President Anote Tong of Kiribati and the First Lady paid a visit to COA Minister Chen Bao-ji.

● President Ma Ying-jeou met model committee chairmen and presidents of irrigation associations from around the nation.

● The COA: (a) convened the 19th meeting of the central government task force on red imported fire ants, and (b) hosted the 103rd cross-ministerial meeting on measures to combat avian influenza and important zoonotic diseases. 

● Participants in a public meeting for discussion of stray-dog policy signed and issued a joint statement on the findings of the meeting.

● The COA completed a survey of the installation by local irrigation associations of pipelines, in irrigation structures, that could affect public safety.

● Held a national training course on marine biodiversity.

● A National Geographic Channel documentary entitled Typhoon Morakot—Rebuilding the Homestead was broadcast on August 8 in Taiwan and Asia.

September

● The COA published amendments to: (a) regulations governing the dredging of sediment in rural streams; (b) "Technical Regulations for Soil and Water Conservation"; (c) "Operational Directions for Leisure Agricultural Facilities Business Development Plans and Review for Designation Change of Non-Urban Land Use for Leisure Farms."

● Announced "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Plants or Plant Products into the Republic of China," Paragraph 1, Part B (Quarantine Requirements for Enterable Plants or Plant Products Under Precautionary Requirements), Item 1, Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Lily Flower Bulbs from Chile.

● Signed a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation with Hungary.

● Attended the following international fisheries conferences: (a) the 10th Regular Session of the Northern Committee of the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and the 10th Regular Session of the WCPFC Technical and Compliance Committee; (b) the 19th meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna; (c) the 7th Informal Consultation on International Cooperation for Conservation and Management of Eel Resources; (d) the annual meeting of the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) and a joint session between ICFA and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization; and (e) the plenary meeting of the 2014 meeting of the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tuna.

● Hosted the following cross-strait events: (a) the 2014 cross-strait conference on regulation of agro-pesticides; (b) the 2014 cross-strait conference on veterinary management and technology; (c) the first cross-strait forestry forum; (d) the 12th cross- strait conference on irrigation technology.

● Hosted the 2014 Taiwan-Japan conference on landslide disasters.

● Organized 2014 “Weed Eradication Day," targeted at Mikania micrantha (nicknamed “the mile-a-minute weed").

● Helped business firms form groups to take part in Fine Food Australia 2014 and Seafood Expo Asia 2014.

● Hosted the APEC Seminar on Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain. In addition, COA Minister Chen Bao-ji led a delegation to attend the 3rd APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security.

● The COA dispatched representatives to attend the 3rd WTO Trade Policy Review for Chinese Taipei.

● Permission was granted for the Kinmen District Fishermen's Association (Kinmen County), the ZiGuan District Fishermen's Association (Kaohsiung County), the Chaozhou Township Fishermen's Association (Pingtung County), and the Xinyuan Township Fishermen's Association (Pingtung County) to each open a credit department.

● The COA organized public meetings in Chiayi County and other principal betel-nut production areas to explain measures to incentivize a switch to alternative crops.

● Held the 2014 Taiwan International Ornamental Fish Expo.

● Held the following awards events: (a) awards and an exposition for the 3rd "University and College Students Return to Rural Communities Competition"; (b) a ceremony to recognize 30 farmers' associations for their outstanding success with land banks (platforms for helping people with farmland to rent find people seeking to rent farmland); and (c) a ceremony for presentation of the 7th Golden Agriculture Awards.

● Announced that slaughterhouses are required, under the provisions of "Regulations for Slaughter Operations," to maintain the cleanliness of vehicles used to transport carcasses, viscera, and meat cuts, and to keep the vehicles out of direct sunlight and rain. 

● Adopted new standards governing the calculation of land area for the rezoning of land within recreational farms for the construction on four types of agrotourism facilities for lodging, dining, and so on, and also adjusted the procedures and inquiry items for review of plans for such construction projects.

● Set up an agriculture pavilion at the 2014 Taipei International Invention Show & Technomart.

October

● The COA finalized and announced: (a) "Directions for Loans for Leisure Farms"; "Directions for Loans for Farmers' Organizations and Agribusiness Management and Marketing Research and Innovation"; and (c) "Directions for Loans for Farmers' Organizations and Agribusiness Natural Disaster Rehabilitation."

● Finalized and announced "Operational Directions for Applying For and Issuing Certificates of Origin of Sharks and Manta Rays."

● Published amendments to: (a) Supplement 1 of Article 3 of "Veterinary Drugs Uses Regulations"; (b) Article 23 of "Regulations Governing Good Manufacture Practices (GMP) for Veterinary Drugs."

● (4) Published amendments to: (a) Articles 19 and 31 of "Regulations Governing Policy-Oriented Special Agricultural Loans"; (b) "Directions for Loans for the Agricultural Food Industry in Guidance and Assistance of Management"; (c) “Directions for Loans for the Livestock and Poultry Industry in Improving Management Efficiency”; (d) “Directions for Loans for Farmers and Fishermen in Guidance and Assistance of Management Improvement”; (e) “Directions for Loans for Hillside Field Conservation”; (f) “Directions for Loans for Agricultural Energy Conservation and Carbon-Emissions Reduction”; (g) “Directions for Loans for Youths Establishing Agricultural Businesses”; and (h) “Operational Directions for Loans Subject to the Agricultural Development Fund."

● Finalized and announced "Commodities Subject to Import Plant Quarantine."

● Announced amendments to "Detailed List of Feeds."

● Adjusted the control methods for inspection and quarantine for the importation of dog and cat food. ● Attended the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

● The 1st meeting was held of the joint working committee for cooperation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries between Taiwan and South Africa.

● Hosted the 6th conference of the Taiwan Geoparks Network.

● Hosted the 10th working talks on the Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation in Inspection and Quarantine of Agricultural Products.

● The COA: (a) helped business firms form groups to attend the International Flower Expo Tokyo, and also the 9th Strait (Fuzhou) Fishery Expo, and (c) helped the Taiwan Premium Agricultural Products Development Institute form a group to take part in the 12th China International Agricultural Products Trade Fair.

● Attended the 65th Meeting and Seminar of the International Association for Safety and Survival Training.

● The COA sent representatives to: (a) the 87th and 88th meetings of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, and (b) the 21st Annual Meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

● Held the 2014 Conference on the Applications of Geographic Information Systems for Irrigation Management and Remote Control and Self-Recording Technology.

● COA Minister Chen Bao-ji visited and talked with young farmers in Luzhu Township, Taoyuan County.

● The COA held a forum focusing on innovation in rural communities, and held an awards ceremony to recognize the best entries in an online contest for persons submitting related text and photographic entries.

● The COA also: (a) officially launched a Taiwan ecology portal site and an ecocommunity website, and (b) held the 2014 Forum on the Operation of Environmental Education Centers.

● Held an agricultural products fair at Taipei Expo Park.

● Held the 1st national awards ceremony for premium-quality grouper fish.

● Organized an agricultural technology pavilion at the 2014 Southern Taiwan Biotechnology Expo.

November

● The COA finalized and announced "Regulations for Input Management of Eel Aquaculture for 2014-2015."

● Announced amendments to "Regulations Governing Personnel Management at Farmers Associations" and "Regulations for Farmers Association Financial Management."

● Published stipulations to revise the list of import plant products that do not require plant quarantine certificates issued by exporting countries.

● The COA sent representatives to: (a) the 19th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, and (b) the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2014.

● The COA held the 2014 Taiwan-Japan tea industry technology meeting.

● Helped business firms to form groups to attend: (a) the International Floriculture and Horticulture Trade Fair in the Netherlands; (b) Food and Hospitality China 2014; (c) Agri Indo 2014; (d) the 18th China International Pet Show in Guangzhou; and (e) the International Pot Plant and Garden Expo in Guangzhou.

● COA Deputy Minister Chen Wen-Deh attended: (a) the Asian rice research partners meeting at the 4th International Rice Congress; (b) the 13th General Assembly Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions; and (c) the 12th Asian Maize Conference and Expert Consultation on Maize for Food, Feed, Nutrition and Environmental Security.

● The COA hosted the 2014 APO Workshop on Innovative Postharvest Management Tools and Technologies for Fruit and Vegetable Products.

● The COA Animal Health Research Institute and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions jointly organized the 2014 International Conference on Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza.

● Quarantine officers from Japan's PPS/ MAFF joined with the COA's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine to conduct pre-treatment of pormelo, pengkan tangerines and grapes for export from Taiwan to Japan.

● The COA announced that any business or individual intending to import feed oil must apply with the Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to have an import inspection performed.

● A nnounc ed t hat anim al ins pec t ion and quarantine fees can be paid via a convenience store, the credit department of a fishermen’s association or farmers’ association, a post office, the Bank of Taiwan, an ATM machine, an online bank, an online ATM machine, a smartphone, or by remittance from a third-party bank.

● Held a ceremony to mark the opening of a new office building to house both the COA Fisheries Agency and the COA's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ).

● Organized the following rural tourism events: (a) 2013 "Sea of Flowers in Xinshe"; and (b) a ceremony to mark the opening of a recreational marina at the Anping Fishing Harbor in Tainan.

● Organized the following recognition ceremonies: (a) awards for the 1st "Mama Tian's Top Ten Recipes (Farm Cuisine)"; (b) awards for slopeland conservation; (c) the 2014 Outstanding Agricultural Professionals Awards; (d) a joint exhibition of the accomplishments of the Taiwan Agriculture Land Information Service; and (e) recognition of the achievements of 15 outstanding orchid growing firms.

● Held the following conservation activities: (a) the International Conference on Eco- Craft Trails; (b) a forum on protection of the Hodgson's hawk-eagle; and (c) an exhibit on turtle ecology.

● BAPHIQ found that Taipei Songshan Airport was infested by red imported fire ants, and immediately joined with the Civil Aeronautics Administration to take emergency extermination measures.

● The COA hosted the following conferences: (a) a cross-strait conference on rural development, and (b) the International Conference on Climate Change Adaptations to Disasters on Slopeland.

December

● Amendments were promulgated to: (a) some provisions of the "Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease"; and (b) some provisions of the "Agro-Pesticides Management Act."

● The COA published “Directions for Fishing Vessels over 100 Gross Registered Tonnage Catching Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the Indian, Pacific, or Atlantic Oceans."

● Announced amendments to: (a) "Regulations Governing the Business Guidance, Fund Accommodations and Redeposit of Surplus Funds for the Credit Departments of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations"; (b) "Regulations Governing the Procedures for the Credit Departments of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations to Evaluate Assets and Deal with Non-Performing/Non-Accrual Loans"; (c) "Standards Governing Credit Extension and Limitation to the Associated Members and/or Non-Members for the Credit Departments of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations"; and (d) “Regulations Governing Risk Management Ratios of the Credit Departments of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations."

● The France-Taiwan Agricultural Cooperation Convention was signed.

● The COA attended the 11th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

● Philippine Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala came to Taiwan to visit the COA and other agricultural agencies and organizations.

● Officials from Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency visited the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine of the COA to discuss plant quarantine issues.

● The COA dispatched officials to attend the 22nd meeting on economic and technical cooperation between Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.

● Hosted the 21st Session of the TECRO-AIT Sanitary, Phytosanitary and Agricultural Standards Working Group Consultations.

● Organized a seminar to discuss and share experiences from the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014.

● A drought emergency response team was established.

● The COA held marketing activities for the "Top 100 Inns" for tourism in rural areas within the jurisdictions of Taipei, New Taipei City, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

● Held a lecture series on agricultural brand innovation.

● Held the following events to recognize special achievements: (a) the 2014 Agribusiness Science & Technology Innovation Awards; (b) an exhibition of accomplishments of the traceability system for production and sale of agro-products; (c) an exhibition of accomplishments in the development of new products using processed domestically produced grains; (d) an awards ceremony for outstanding producers of grouper fish; (e) an exhibition of accomplishments from a continuing education and arts program for rural senior citizens; (f) a press conference on the successes of a program to promote the adoption stray dogs and cats; (g) the 2015 exhibition of the "Top 100 Products of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations"; and (h) an awards ceremony for the winners of a contest for the best rural community improvement and clean-up projects.

● Five COA construction projects won gold medals at the 14th Public Infrastructure Awards.

● The COA held the "Ocean Oscars" awards ceremony.