Restrictions on exporting seeds and their derivatives are expected to be in place by March, the Agriculture and Food Agency said yesterday.
Twenty-nine such items as pineapples, bananas, tea trees, guavas, lychees, mushrooms and other produce were listed in a draft published by the agency on Tuesday.
The items were collected and practically assessed before they were announced, agency Deputy Director Yao Chih-wang (姚志旺) said yesterday.
Photo: Chen Feng-hua, Taipei Times
The draft is being released for a two-month public review period before being imposed in March, the agency said.
The restrictions are conditional and a supplier might be authorized for export by the Department of International Affairs, the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and other related units after a comprehensive evaluation, the agency said.
The aim of the restrictions is to ensure that Taiwan’s agricultural developments would not be compromised, the agency said, adding that exports can be approved to consolidate diplomatic relations, for example.
On the other hand, exports might be limited if it disrupts the market, the agency added.
The restrictions are based on an amendment to the Plant Variety and Plant Seed Act (植物品種及種苗法) which added an article for the competent authority — currently the ministry — to restrict items for import or export.
Those who contravene the restrictions are subject to a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a fine ranging from NT$600,000 to NT$3 million (US$19,345 to US$96,724), or both.
The amendment was passed by the legislature on May 2 last year in response to Taiwan’s agricultural cultivars ending up unauthorized in China, contravening intellectual property rights and damaging local farmers’ livelihoods.
Such cultivars included the Tainung No. 23 mango pineapple, which was developed for years before being granted variety rights in 2018.
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