1.Taiwan steps up oyster checks amid concerns over labeling fraud

A special program inspecting all oysters' countries of origin has been launched due to concerns over the false labeling of Vietnamese imports, Taiwan's Fisheries Agency said. In a statement, the agency said it had launched the program after local oyster suppliers reported to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator that Chinese oysters -- which are banned from Taiwan -- had been transhipped through Vietnam and relabeled. Responding to the case, the agency said the Ministry of Agriculture has applied technical evaluations -- "TFDAF0035.00" and "TFDAF0036.00" -- developed in 2023 to identify the oysters' places of origin. In addition, several relevant agencies have cooperated to track the countries of origin of all oysters on sale, while law enforcement officials would handle the cases in accordance with related legislation if any substandard oysters were found. 

2.Premier inspects flow of fresh goods ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays

Premier Chen Chien-jen visited the Taipei City Fish Wholesale Market and Taipei First Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market on January 30^th to inspect the flow of fresh goods. Chen said in a speech that consumer demand for agricultural and fishery products is expected to increase during the Lunar New Year holidays. The daily supply of fishery products alone is expected to increase by more than 30%, as fish is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.