TAIPEI: Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff on Wednesday said Taiwan was no longer importing fruit from the affected areas. Mr Rockliff described the situation as “fluid” after the government had earlier announced the suspension was island-wide. Tasmania relies on its fruit-fly-free status to export to million dollar premium markets in Japan, Korea, USA, China and Taiwan. Fruit Growers Tasmania president Nick Hansen said growers had their fingers crossed China, the most lucrative market, wouldn’t follow Taiwan’s lead. It’s a fear, but all the indications at the moment is that it won’t happen,” he said. At this stage of the season it would be a blow to our reputation. The information we have on China is that they’re standing strong.” It is understood fruit destined for Taiwan had been diverted elsewhere.A 15km control zone was set up around Spreyton, where Queensland fruit fly larvae was found in a backyard apricot tree. An adult fruit fly was also found at Spreyton, while five were discovered at Flinders Island. Biosecurity Tasmania staff are spraying and setting up traps on around 400 properties in the area. Trade from Tasmania would continue to other overseas markets, plus domestic markets that don’t have biosecurity requirements for the Queensland fruit fly.
Taiwan to spend NT$200 million and ramp up mask production to 10 million a day
TAIPEI: As the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic continues to escalate around the world, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) has decided to...