Agricultural organizations have joined the growing protest against a negative report on South Korean TV criticizing Taiwan’s tilapia aquaculture industry.
The protesters, led by Taiwan Agricultural Association chairwoman Chang Li-shan (張麗善), yesterday demanded that the station correct its report because it has seriously hurt farmers and resulted in huge export losses.
Chang said tilapia is one of the nation’s best agricultural products and has received international recognition.
Photo: Hsieh Chieh-yu, Taipei Times
Among the 24 fish farms certified by the Dutch-based Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) worldwide, 12 are tilapia farms in Taiwan, the association said.
Also, the nation’s products have been rated as a “good alternative” to the best choices in the tilapia category of the US-based Seafood Watch’s rankings, the association said.
In a news program on Oct. 25, South Korea’s Channel A said that Taiwan’s tilapia farms exist in polluted environments. The program also implied that there was an overuse of antibiotics in raising the fish.
South Korean importers have reportedly suspended the importation of Taiwanese tilapia following the broadcast, which has seriously affected sales.
Taiwan produces 70,000 tonnes of tilapia annually, 60 percent of which is exported to the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
South Korea is a major buyer, mostly in the form of frozen fillets.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that it had contacted the TV station to ask for a correction of the news report.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white
RSS