The government should also work on improving the domestic distribution of farm products and promote a comprehensive and fair system for trading farm products and protecting the rights of farmers and consumers. The coastal provinces of China closest to Taiwan grow many farm products. If the government will not allow the sale of farm products from China in Taiwan for political reasons, it could at least purchase farm products from China that local consumers are worried about missing when typhoons, droughts, water shortages or earthquakes hit Taiwan. This would suppress and help stabilize prices of consumer products. This is a fundamental right and guarantee that the public should require of the government.
Chang Yu-cheng is chief executive officer of the Taiwan Farm Products Agents Association.
TRANSLATED BY DREW CAMERON
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