Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung says that the government will use science and international standards in deciding whether to lift a partial ban on the import of Japanese food products.
Since the middle of March 2011, Taiwan has banned the importation of food products made in parts of Japan affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The ban covers food products from five Japanese prefectures. It has been a continuing source of trade friction between Japan and Taiwan ever since.
The opposition KMT has set up a committee to discuss the ban and whether the government should lift it.
On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung thanked the KMT for its willingness to discuss the issue. Chen said that in dealing with the issue of the ban, Taiwan will put a priority on international norms and scientific proof showing whether food from the affected areas is safe.
Chen also said that considerations will include Taiwan’s bid to join the CPTPP trade bloc, of which Japan is an important member. He said that only Taiwan and China have kept bans on food from certain parts of Japan. China has also applied to join the bloc, and there are fears that if it joins before Taiwan, it could use its membership to block Taiwan’s application.