TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung disclosed the egg importation contract between the National Animal Industry Foundation (NAIF) and Ultra Source on Wednesday (Sept. 6).
Chen declared that the contract harbors no benefits for insiders, asserting that Ultra Source's invoices were based on original supplier quotes. The supplier will bear any replacement liabilities while the government absorbs the cost of managing sales proceeds.
He emphasized the differences in egg prices, tariffs, business taxes, and cost of sales all fall on the government, refuting claims of subsidizing importers.
Chen recently claimed Ultra Source imports eggs from Brazil because they are cheaper. However, an expert investigation into Japan's customs data revealed that Brazilian eggs cost an average of NT＄3.8 each in Japan, compared to NT＄5.1 in Taiwan, casting doubt on his assertions.
Moreover, the government's import egg subsidy program has stirred criticism from opposition politicians for only subsidizing specific importers by taking advantage of Taiwan's ongoing egg shortage situation.
