Thailand's mangosteen imports halted for 16 years, Taiwan's Council of Agriculture previews resumption of imports
On April 26, the Council of Agriculture gave advance notice of amendments to "The Republic of China's Quarantine Regulations for Imported Plants or Plant Products," Section B, Article 2, Item 18 of the Quarantine Conditions for Conditionally Imported Plants or Plant Products and its annexes, adding "Quarantine Conditions for the Import of Fresh Mangosteen Fruit from Thailand." Fresh mangosteen fruit, which could not be imported in the past due to quarantine issues, is expected to be importable again.
Mangosteen, famed as the "queen of tropical fruits," was once a favorite of many. Starting November 1, 2003 (Minguo year 92), the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine banned imports of fresh Thai mangosteen on the grounds that Thailand was an epidemic area for the "carambola fruit borer" and the "papaya fruit borer," and that mangosteen is a host plant for these pests. However, there were no restrictions on frozen mangosteen. Zou Huijuan, deputy director-general of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, said that frozen mangosteen is frozen at -17.8 degrees, so there is no fruit borer problem, and therefore imports were not banned.
Zou Huijuan stated that Thailand applied to our country for resumption of fresh mangosteen imports as early as March 2004 (Minguo year 93), and after the risk assessment was completed in 2011 (Minguo year 100), Thailand also arranged an on-site verification in 2017 (Minguo year 106). After the verification in July 2017 (Minguo year 106), it was confirmed that vapor heat treatment at 46 degrees Celsius for 58 minutes could kill the carambola fruit borer and the papaya fruit borer.
In response to outside doubts that the opening of controlled fruit imports might be because Taiwan wants to join CPTPP and other free trade organizations, Zou Huijuan clarified that when the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine conducts risk assessments for the import of agricultural products, it mainly relies on scientific evidence and international standards. After Thailand applied to our country, the Bureau also carried out a risk assessment and sent personnel to understand Thailand's mangosteen treatment process.
As for when fresh mangosteen imports can resume at the earliest, Zou Huijuan said that advance notice was given on April 26, and those with amendment suggestions may submit opinions to the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine within 60 days after publication in the gazette. The Bureau will collect opinions from all sides, and welcomes everyone to provide suggestions to the Bureau; the date of the official announcement is still undetermined.
