ROC welcomes US decision on Taiwan Oncidium exports

2016/02/15

Taiwan’s orchid sector is set for a major boost following a Feb. 4 announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture clearing the way for exports of locally cultivated Oncidium orchids potted in growing media.

The ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs welcomed the breakthrough, attributing it to ongoing discussions since 2007 under bilateral communication platforms such as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

After the U.S. began accepting exports of Taiwan produced Phalaenopsis orchids in growing medium in 2004, the government started seeking the same treatment for Oncidium orchids. “The issue was also a key item on the agenda of the ninth rounds of TIFA discussions held in Taipei City last October,” an MOEA official said.

The regulatory change, which takes effect March 7, is expected to benefit orchid growers in Taiwan and the U.S. “Such exports will create more business opportunities for local firms while enabling their American counterparts to continue cultivating the plants for the U.S. market.”

According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Taiwan products were greenlighted because the country is a signatory to the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and respects relevant measures the U.S. imposes on such exports.

Orchids are among the six key agricultural sectors targeted for strategic promotion by the ROC government. The latest Council of Agriculture statistics revealed Taiwan exported US$144 million worth of orchids in 2015, with 37 percent sent to the U.S.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=242106&ctNode=2194&mp=9)