ECFA talks will not affect Taiwan farmers' interest

The talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait on a proposed trade pact have nothing to do with agricultural issues, according to an official of the Council of Agriculture (COA).

To allay misgivings by local farmers over the issue, COA Vice Chairman Hu Hsing-hua said Taiwan's agricultural sector is small and vulnerable and that agricultural issues will not be included in the current round of cross-strait negotiations on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA).

If the two sides decide to discuss this issue, the COA will first communicate with the farmers, Hu said.

Hu was responding to media reports on a study by China's Ministry of Commerce which stated that China will ask Taiwan to open its market to Chinese agricultural products.

The Chinese ministry presented a study last October on the ECFA in which it said that exports of wheat and animal products to Taiwan will increase, Hu noted, adding that it was an academic assessment commissioned by Chinese authorities, and by no means reflected the formal substance of the talks.

Hu said that the Taiwan government has already conveyed the concerns of the local farmers to China and has made clear Taiwan's stance on the issue.

He reiterated that 830 kinds of Chinese agriculture products will remain on a restricted list, adding that this will be the basic stance in the signing of the ECFA.

The Taiwan farmers' main concern is that some Chinese agriculture products will flood Taiwan via a third location, but the COA has said it will require certificates of origin for the products in question.