The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) embodies understandings
between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in
Australia and the Australian Office in Taipei (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘ Participants ’ ). The MOU sets out a
framework through which the Food and Drug Administration of the
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan (TFDA) and the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture, will exchange information,
cooperate and collaborate on food safety matters to strengthen
the safety of food and minimize negative effect on bilateral
food trade. The two Participants will cooperate on equal and
reciprocal terms.
1. AIMS
(a) To promote the exchange of information and increased
understanding concerning food safety to the benefit of both
Participants.
(b) To enhance the strength of each Participant through training
and risk assessment of food safety issues.
(c) To discuss with a view to resolving food safety matters in
order to strengthen the safety of food.
2. COOPERATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES
(a) The Participants will explore opportunities for cooperation
in food safety activities, including through:
-Information exchange – including on post market
surveillance and border inspection and reports, workshops
and conferences;
-International risk assessment programs – by promoting risk
assessment cooperation plans for related projects in both
Taiwan and Australia, the objectives of which are to
enhance the risk assessment capabilities of both
Participants, develop international collaborative platforms
and enable full participation in international food safety
programs;
-Secondments – to facilitate collaboration on: residue
control of pesticides and veterinary drugs; exposure
assessment of contaminants and food additives;
microbiological contaminants; and related food safety
matters, between relevant specialists, subject to the
operational constraints of each Participant; and
-Discussions – about food safety issues of mutual interest.
3. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Each Participant will be responsible, unless otherwise
mutually determined, for its own expenses incurred in any
collaboration activities.
(b) Each Participant will bear the travel expenses of its own
staff during exchange programs and visits.
4. IMPLEMENTATION
(a) Bilateral meetings will be held on a needs basis as mutually
determined by Participants to:
-share information;
-develop and review cooperation activities; and
-discuss food safety issues of interest to both
Participants.
(b) Participants recognise existing forums can be used, as
appropriate and as required, for discussion of food safety
issues covered under this MOU.
(c) Each Participant will include other agencies as appropriate.
5. LIAISON OFFICIALS
Taiwan Australia

Director Assistant Secretary

Food Safety Division Export Standards
Taiwan Food and Drug Branch
Administration Exports Division

Ministry of Health and Department of
Welfare Agriculture
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
(a) Information shared between the Participants will be kept
confidential by the Participants as a matter of course
unless otherwise mutually determined by the Participants.
7. COMING INTO EFFECT
(a) This MOU will come into effect on the date of signature, and
replace the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and
Information Exchange Concerning Food Safety between the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia and the
Australian Office, Taipei – signed on 20 June 2012.
8. REVIEW, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
(a) Upon coming into effect, the provisions of this MOU will be
jointly reviewed by the Participants after three (3) years
from the date of coming into effect.
(b) This MOU may be amended and supplemented as mutually
consented to in writing by both Participants at any time.
(c) This MOU does not preclude the Participants having
additional arrangements concerning food safety.
(d) Either Participant may terminate this MOU at any time by
giving six (6) months ’ prior written notice to the other
Participant. This MOU will cease to have effect six (6)
months after receipt thereof by the other Participant.


Signed at Taipei on 29 October 2019 in duplicate in the English
language.


For the Taipei For the Australian
Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei
Office in Australia

─────────── ───────────
Mr. Yii-Lih Charng Mr. Gary Cowan
Representative Representative