Government agencies are working together to build an agricultural food safety chain that extends from eco-friendly farming practices to the manufacturing, processing and sale of food products, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at the Cabinet meeting Thursday.
The government attaches great importance to managing food security, whether in terms of quantity, so that the nation will never lack a steady supply of food, or in quality, so that consumers can purchase food with a peace of mind, he said.
After listening to the Council of Agriculture's (COA) report on improving the safety of agricultural, fishery and livestock products, the premier pointed to farmers' use of pesticides as a key concern in food safety. He asked the COA to work with local authorities and farmers groups to educate farmers on pesticides, including the correct way of using the chemicals. Authorities should also monitor pesticide usage more closely to ensure safety at the source of the food chain.
Regarding pesticide residue testing, the premier said that the government's manpower and facilities are currently limited to the eight regional testing centers, even during periods of heightened demand. He asked the COA to consider expanding cooperation to academic research institutions and private organizations so that local authorities can submit more tests and shorten the cycle. Bringing the private sector into the process will also make management of food safety more transparent and efficient while encouraging wider adoption of good practices.
Jiang pointed out that food safety management is a multifaceted effort that spans numerous government agencies. Among the recent food contamination scares, many were caused by unscrupulous companies defrauding consumers to increase their profits. Aside from carrying out their own tasks, Jiang said, agencies should work in unison with local authorities to step up inspections and combat illegal activities together.
Premier Jiang said that the Executive Yuan's environmental protection and food safety meetings already serve as a communication platform for the agencies. He encouraged the COA, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Environmental Protection Administration to make full use of this platform when building the safety chain. For Taiwan's agricultural industry to reach new markets abroad, it must make a name not only for its technology and quality but also for the safety of its products.
To achieve these visions for "safe agriculture" while ensuring food safety for consumers, the COA will continue building a comprehensive supply system for agricultural, fishery and livestock products; strengthen controls over manufacturing processes; educate farmers about the proper use of pesticides; and increase monitoring of chemical residues at each stage of the chain. For food products that fail random safety inspections, the COA will work with local health officials to trace problematic items from point of sale back to their source.