Biotech Updates

GMF Approvals in Taiwan

March 7, 2008

As one of the top five importing countries of grains from the United States, Taiwan follows the “pre-market registration and approval” of biosafety regulation. The current regulatory system of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and foods in Taiwan are governed by three authorities: National Science Council (for laboratory research), Council of Agriculture (for field test, feed), and Department of Health (for food).

No commercial cultivation of GMOs is currently being done in Taiwan although 14 maize and 3 soybean events are approved for use. These products developed by Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, and Dupont include glyphosate tolerant soybean, insect-resistant corn, and lysine maize.

For additional information email Yuan-Tay Shyu of the National Taiwan University at tedshyu@ntu.edu.tw