Taiwan Agricultural Biotechnology Annual 2014
In CY2013, Taiwan was the seventh largest export market for U.S. food and agricultural products, of which genetically engineered (GE) corn, soybeans, and cotton accounted for 29 percent of the total export value US$3 billion. Still, significant changes are underway as Taiwan authorities seek to tighten the regulatory requirements for GE products, partially in response to anti-GE consumers groups. The February 5, 2014, Food Safety and Sanitation Act (FSSA), for the first time, requires health risk assessment, premarket registration approval, labeling, and traceability of all GE products. On June 20, Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced draft text for local comment proposing a 3% threshold for GE food products but exempting highly processed products.
