1.Taiwan and the UK to deepen agricultural cooperation and promote trade in agricultural products

The Council of Agriculture (COA) and the UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) held the “5th Taiwan-UK Agricultural Dialogue Meeting” on October 4 via videoconference. At the meeting, the two sides discussed various issues, including policy planning for increasing forest carbon sinks and roadmaps to net zero carbon emissions, organic equivalency arrangement, fisheries cooperation related to offshore wind power, and market access.

Read the full article here: https://eng.coa.gov.tw/theme_data.php?theme=eng_news&id=658

2.Fisheries Agency continuously advancing improved working condition for foreign crew members

Taiwanese seafood products were included for the second consecutive time in the "List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor" published by the U.S. Department of Labor on September 28^th. The Fisheries Agency stated that while Taiwan's inclusion in the 2022 report is "regrettable," it will continue working to expand labor protections and earn its removal from the list as soon as possible.

Read the full article here: https://en.fa.gov.tw/view.php?theme=Press_Release&subtheme=&id=77

3.Formosan rock macaque ownership to be banned

Ownership of Formosan rock macaques is banned since September 30^th. Those who legitimately obtained such animals prior to the rules going into effect would be allowed to microchip and register them with their local agriculture department before March next year, or face a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 and confiscation of the animal, the Council of Agriculture said.