Taiwan's Environmental Quality Protection Foundation (EQPF,
First, the objectivity of the standard used in the investigation is questionable. Ling's study was based on Australia's organo-chlorine pesticide residue limit, the strictest standard in the world. Personally, I am not opposed to the use of a strict standard in order to ensure the health of the Taiwanese people. Many different standards, however, do exist. The standards of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO,
Second, the publication of the study was inappropriate. I certainly agree that an academic study should be published and discussed, or even challenged freely and publicly. On the other hand, if the researcher already knew that the results of the study might cause panic in society, or even harm public order, the study should either have been published by the government or postponed until a second examination conducted by the government had been carried out. In fact, according to the EU's latest report published in June 2000, Taiwan's aquatic products meet the EU's strict criteria, proving that local aquatic products can perfectly satisfy international standards. The publication of the study by the EQPF was really surprising, and I therefore urge the foundation to clear up publicly all misunderstandings caused by the publication of the results as soon as possible.
Third, the government needs to respond to the study immediately. The Fisheries Administration (
Fourth, the government needs to establish regulations concerning the publication of certain studies which might greatly influence public order as well as Taiwan's economy. They must limit the publication of certain studies by individuals or by non-government groups. Information channels are also needed in order for the government to effectively control or respond to major incidents like this.
Taiwan's businesses have been seriously harmed by the economic recession worldwide. It is not a good sign if the businesses also have to face non-economic difficulties. It is to be hoped that all non-government groups, scholars, the government and the fishing industry can learn from this experience in order to ensure the food quality, public order, and economic security of Taiwan.
As the "small three links" (
Ted Chuang is the director of the Institute of Fisheries Economics at National Taiwan Ocean University.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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