By Cecilia Fanchiang, Taiwan Journal via Checkbiotech

The Council of Agriculture (COA) instituted its Administrative Regulations for the Field Testing of the Transgenic Plants June 29. The regulations were instituted just one day before enforcement of an April 21, 2004 amendment to the Plant Variety and Seed Act was scheduled to begin June 30.

The COA issued a press release July 10 to announce the new regulations and to tout government efforts to regulate the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in Taiwan.

Taking its cues from the safety-control measures adopted in several Western nations and Japan, officials from the COA reassured the public that all GM foods would be required to undergo examination by the Bureau of Food Safety under the Department of Health.

According to the press release, the COA will be responsible for controlling all biotechnological applications, and experts employed by the council will be charged with the task of testing all bio-engineered samples to eliminate the risk of environmental damage.

Before they wrote the measures for transgenic plant field trials into law, COA policymakers first consulted the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, an international agreement that regulates the cross-border movement of living organisms modified through biotechnology. The council promised to abide by all food and agricultural policies promulgated by the United Nations.

Taiwanese academics and scientists have studied the experience of other countries and regions, including North America, Europe, China and Australia, where the development of GM varieties is concerned.

The COA has decreed that any genetic-engineering technology must be proven safe through scientific testing conducted in an isolated environment before it can be used on actual cropland on an experimental basis. As mandated by the new law, bio-safety field trials must include different evaluative steps in order to prevent mishaps, such as the accidental spread of GM crops to unintended areas. Furthermore, bio-agents that cause diseases or pose the risk of creating a negative environmental impact must be filtered out through the testing process.

Persons found violating the law will face fines of up to US$160,000, according to the press release. The government has promised the people of Taiwan that it will continue to monitor the safety of GM crops in an effort to address the well-being of farmers, who are expected to benefit the most from the development of biotechnology: one of the most promising new technologies of this century.

Copyright 2005 Taiwan Journal