December 27, 2022

 

New Taiwan technology able to trace dairy origins

Taiwan's Council of Agriculture said it is developing technology that can trace the production location of dairy productions, using isotope distinguishment technology combined with big data, as part of the council's plan to differentiate locally produced dairy products from imported goods, Taipei Times reported.

 

The system, which has been tested for two years, can identify the country of origin of dairy products with a 90% accuracy rate and can identify whether the milk is fresh or made from powder.

 

The system, which can be used to inspect pork and chicken meat to determine the country of origin, is almost complete. Taiwan would also provide product origin information on packaging.

 

The council said the development of the new technology began following concerns of the impending removal of tariffs for Taiwanese imports of New Zealand beef, lamb, and dairy could affect local dairy and meat markets, after the signing of the Agreement Between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC).

 

The 2013 agreement eliminated tariffs on a specified volume of liquid dairy products (5,500 tonnes as of 2013) and added a NTD 14 (~US$0.46; NTD 10 = US$0.33)  surcharge for each additional kg.

 

It was decided that up until 2025, when quotas would be eliminated, the allotted quantity of tariff-free goods would rise by 1,500 tonnes every three years.

 

According to the council, Taiwan imported 103,562 tonnes of dairy products as of last month, a 9.2% increase compared to the same time last year.

 

The council also said it intended to promote domestic dairy product quality, match domestic dairy production to market demands, and step up efforts to differentiate between domestic and imported dairy products.

 

Council data showed domestic dairy production rose from 320,000 tonnes to 430,000 tonnes over the last ten years.

 

Taiwan's dairy farmers have been known to produce more than their allotted amounts due to high domestic demand, and contracted processing businesses have been more than happy to buy the extra, the council said.

 

Processing firms are requiring dairy producers to abide by the output quotas as the domestic dairy market becomes saturated and the country's economic climate causes public spending to become cautious.

 

-      Taipei Times