Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian reiterated his commitment to take good care of the country's farmers and fishermen Wednesday in an agricultural region of Miaoli County.
Visiting a milk factory run by the Association of Farmers in Miaoli, the president said there is no question about his administration's determination to raise the living standards of farmers and fishermen.
Chen reminded the workers that his administration has promised to set up a NT$100 billion (US$2.89 billion) fund to help farmers remain competitive in the face of the nation's entry at the beginning of 2002 into the World Trade Organization. Under WTO rules, Taiwan will have to open further to foreign imports of agricultural products.
Dairy farmers will be among those who bear the blunt of the impact of the market opening, but the president said they can rest assured that the government will help them to hold their own in the face of foreign competition by improving their farming technology and marketing skills.
Chen urged dairy farmers to capitalize on the increasing public demand for dairy products brought along with rising living standards.
The president said he put a trip to Miaoli on his busy schedule Wednesday because the livelihood of farmers and fishermen always takes precedence over politics.