Hsinchu mayor opposes genetically modified crops, advocates developing environmentally friendly agriculture on fallow land

Hsinchu City Mayor Lin Chih-chien said this morning (3/10) that he will not allow farmland in Hsinchu City to grow GM crops, and that he will also promote environmentally friendly agriculture. In the near future, the city will take stock of its fallow farmland and offer it to farmers willing to take up environmentally friendly agriculture.

Executive Yuan Plans to Relax GM Cultivation Trials; Hsinchu City Opposes Growing GM Crops on Farmland Under Its Jurisdiction

Recently the Executive Yuan has signaled its intention to relax restrictions on GM crop research and production. Civil groups such as the Homemakers United Foundation have voiced opposition, and some Hsinchu City residents have written to demand that the city government take a stand: "Has the government lost its mind? European countries have already found that GM food harms the land and also harms people's health. Which stupid official agreed to this? Please, Mayor, do not support this proposal."

This morning, while visiting the Qianjia Settlement CSA Farm, which practices environmentally friendly farming, Lin Chih-chien made it clear that Hsinchu City does not welcome GM cultivation: "We do not welcome the growing of GM crops on farmland under Hsinchu City's jurisdiction, including any cultivation carried out in the name of experimentation. Supporting environmentally friendly farming is the direction Hsinchu City should pursue."

At present, authority to review GM seedlings rests with the Council of Agriculture, and farmers are not currently approved to grow GM crops. Regarding the central government's plan to relax approval for GM crop experiments, Lin Chih-chien believes that, before there is clear scientific evidence to resolve public doubts about GM crops, the Hsinchu City government opposes the growing of GM crops on farmland under its jurisdiction.

Hsinchu City Supports Non-GM Ingredients in School Lunches, Promotes Community-Supported Agriculture

Lin Chih-chien said: "From crops grown on farmland to food on the table, there is a considerable connection, and agricultural safety and food safety cannot be separated. A consistent stance should be taken toward GM agricultural products and GM ingredients. Hsinchu City supports reducing the use of GM ingredients in elementary and junior high school nutritious lunches, and does not welcome the use of Hsinchu City farmland as a testing ground for GM crops."

Hung Ming-shih, deputy director of the Hsinchu City Government's Department of Economic Development, said that farmland under Hsinchu City's jurisdiction covers about 2,000-plus hectares. In the near future the city will take stock of fallow farmland, help farmers obtain arable land, and develop community-supported agriculture focused on environmentally friendly cultivation and organic farming.

The Qianjia Settlement CSA Farm visited by the Hsinchu City government team this morning farms using environmentally friendly methods and operates on a community membership system, delivering vegetables once a week. It currently has 32 members. Lin Chih-chien said the Qianjia Settlement CSA Farm will serve as a demonstration site for promoting community-supported agriculture in Hsinchu City.

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