1.Legislature approves bill to better protect local crop varieties

On May 2^nd, Taiwan's Legislature passed amendments that set higher fines and possible prison sentences for people who illegally export certain indigenous varieties of plant and fruit seeds or their derivatives. The bill, comprising amendments to the Plant Variety and Plant Seed Act, stipulates that people who illegally export seed varieties designated by the Council of Agriculture (COA) can face a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a fine ranging from NT$600,000 (US$19,480) to NT$3 million, or both.

2.Yilan's bluefin tuna delivered to Taipei

On May 8^th, Fishery Agency and Yilan County's Suao Fishermen's Association at an event in Taipei promoting black tuna from Yilan that can be delivered to Taipei Fishery Marketing Co.