At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture reported to Premier Cho Jung-tai on the current status and outlook of efforts to promote organic agriculture in Taiwan. The premier said that since the Organic Agriculture Promotion Act came into force in May 2019, notable progress has been made. He highlighted that advancing organic agriculture helps create an ecosystem that protects the environment and public health, while also promoting the sustainable development of Taiwan's agricultural sector and serving as a key strategy for the nation's transition toward net-zero carbon emissions.
To ensure sustainable agricultural practices, safeguard public health and protect consumer rights, Premier Cho directed all ministries and agencies to assist in the work of promoting organic agriculture. For example, he said, the Ministry of Economic Affairs can support the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives with organic agriculture and expand the use of state-owned lands for organic farming; the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Education can facilitate greater use of organic ingredients in meal programs for the military and for schools, respectively; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can continue to negotiate international bilateral agreements on organic equivalence.