The following notification from the delegation of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, dated 15 September 2025, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.

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1  MEMBER NOTIFYING:

The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu

2  NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE:

Article III:3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services

3  DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE:

7 August 2024

3.1  Duration:

Indefinite

4  AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE MEASURE:

Ministry of Agriculture

5  DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE:

Measure:

Plant Doctor Act

Description:

The Plant Doctor Act encompasses the acquisition of certification for plant doctors, their practice, management of plant hospital, and oversight by professional associations. The primary objective of this Act is to establish a professional service system for plant doctors, enhancing crop cultivation management and plant diagnosis standards from an institutional standpoint, while safeguarding the employment rights of plant medicine professionals and the interests of farmers.

The key provisions of this Act are as follows:

I._         Qualifications of Plant Doctors:

Only individuals who have passed the Plant Doctor Ex-amination and been issued a Plant Doctor Certificate are eligible to practice as plant doctors. Foreigners may also sit for the Plant Doctor Examination in accordance with law. Foreigners in possession of a Plant Doctor Certificate are subject to the relevant provisions and regulations.

II._       Exclusive Practice Rights:

Only those holding a Plant Doctor Certificate are authorized to perform certificate issuance, as designated by the competent authority to be carried out exclusively by plant doctors.

III._     Obligations of Plant Doctors:

Plant doctors are obligated to comply with directives from the competent authorities in matters of plant disease and pest control. Upon identifying a newly recorded harmful organism, a plant doctor must notify the competent authorities within 24 hours.

IV._      Plant Doctors’ Association:

Prior to commencing practice, plant doctors must become members of the local Plant Doctors’ Association corresponding to their place of practice. This requirement aims to consolidate professional peer support, protect practitioners’ rights, and establish a framework for self‑regulation and autonomy, thereby reinforcing the professional integrity of the plant doctor community and improving service standards.

6  MEMBERS SPECIFICALLY AFFECTED, IF ANY:

None

7  TEXT AVAILABLE FROM:

https://law.moa.gov.tw/EngLawContent.aspx?lan=E&id=505

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