Taiwan rolls out rural relief measures for cold snap

2016/01/27

A special task force coordinating rural relief measures in the wake of Taiwan’s recent cold snap was established Jan. 25 during a special ROC Presidential Office meeting in Taipei City.

Headed by the Council of Agriculture, the group will handle the central government’s emergency response and keep abreast of the latest developments. It also aims to get farmers back on their feet as soon as possible, while providing financial subsidies on a case-by-case basis.

The meeting was called by President Ma Ying-jeou and attended by acting Premier Chang San-cheng and other key Cabinet officials.

COA statistics pegged overall agricultural damage caused by the Jan. 23-25 cold front at NT$132.2 million (US$3.9 million). Tainan City bore the brunt of the blow, sustaining losses of nearly NT$81.4 million in local aquaculture.

COA Deputy Minister Sha Chih-yi said the council is identifying cold snap-hit areas around Taiwan and preparing to release relief funds. “Eligible cities and counties must first undertake damage assessments before submitting applications.

“The support program comprises cash and low-interest loans, with the processing of submissions commencing around the clock from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4,” he added.

According to Sha, the COA is also monitoring the production of fish, flowers, fruit and vegetables around the island. “We are optimistic that plentiful supplies of agricultural produce will be available for consumers during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday,” he said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241693&ctNode=2194&mp=9)