Of course Taiwan and its farmers are more competitive and in a better position to compete with cheap imports than those poorer countries, but the case of the "rice bomber" has already highlighted the effects of WTO entry on parts of the nation's agriculture sector.
Remaining outside the WTO is obviously not an option for a manufacturing and trade-based economy like Taiwan's, but policies that protect and help farmers should have been implemented by the government both prior to and following WTO entry. The "rice bomber's" rise surely indicates that this is not the case.
This is another example of the DPP's neglect of its grassroots support. The party needs to revitalize its rural policies, especially as it now faces direct competition from China, which is attempting to woo southern-based farmers from their pan-green leanings with tariff-free fruit imports.
The DPP's supporters are fully aware that the party has its hands tied in the legislature, with the opposition parties constantly blocking its reform and policy proposals, but this cannot be used as an excuse for it deserting them.
The leadership of the DPP really need to take a long hard look at the party and reassess its priorities and start taking care of its party faithful again.
It is no wonder the DPP's supporters deserted it at the recent polls; since it came to power more than five years ago the DPP has been slowly deserting them.
Richard Hazeldine is a Taipei-based writer.
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