Taiwan's Agriculture Minister Details Strict U.S. Potato Import Checks

The Liberty Times, a prominent Taiwanese newspaper, reports on the detailed explanation provided by Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-chi regarding the new quarantine measures for imported U.S. processing potatoes. The article highlights the public's concern over food safety and border control, particularly after Premier Cho Jung-tai's call for 'individual potato checks.' Minister Chen clarified that this meticulous inspection process is indeed part of the border control measures. If customs officials detect signs of sprouting during random checks, the importer must first present a comprehensive improvement plan. Only after the Ministry of Agriculture approves this plan will the shipment be moved to a designated processing facility for a thorough, potato-by-potato examination. This ensures that any potential issues are addressed rigorously before the potatoes enter the broader processing chain. The process, from customs sealing to the final inspection at the processing plant, remains under the purview of border inspection, underscoring Taiwan's commitment to stringent food safety standards. This detailed explanation aims to reassure the public and industry stakeholders about the robustness of the quarantine system, ensuring that only high-quality, safe products are cleared for domestic use.

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If customs opens the container for inspection and suspects the potatoes have sprouted, the operator must submit an improvement plan. After approval by the Ministry of Agriculture, they will be moved to a designated location at a designated processing plant for individual checks.