Taiwan Agriculture Minister Rejects Farming Crisis Claims

Kuomintang legislator Niu Hsu-ting stated in the Legislative Yuan that the US-Taiwan reciprocal trade agreement should extend beyond potato quarantine conditions. Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture is addressing concerns regarding competition from US peanut imports. Taiwan's Agriculture Ministry stated that approximately 30 percent of local peanut farmers may be affected by competition from US imports. Farmer Wang Jing-xian, who has cultivated peanuts for over 20 years, stated that the influx of US products could render his experience obsolete. Cai Wu-ji, General Manager of the Huweiwei Farmers' Association, noted that the association is receiving constant inquiries regarding the impact of large-scale imports. Ding Ming-gui warned that harvest purchase prices could drop by 10 to 20 percent in May or June, potentially leading to unsold stock and a dual crisis of pricing and inspection rates. The trade agreement with the United States allows for US peanut imports with no quantity limits and low tariffs. This follows previous discussions regarding the competition faced by domestic potato and livestock sectors. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense and Executive Yuan are maintaining a 1.25 trillion TWD budget. Legislator Cheng Li-wen stated that the Kuomintang party is discussing budget scales of 380 billion TWD or more. Agriculture Minister Chen Chun-chi rejected criticisms from local leaders regarding the impact of US-Taiwan trade agreements. Minister Chen Chun-ji stated that local leaders are politically manipulating agricultural issues and denied that the government is sacrificing farmers' interests due to US peanut tariffs.