1.
GV PAN: man on motorcycle with worms carried to factory ZOOM INTO factory sign.
0.13

2.
SV: boxes of worms
0.27

3.
CU OF: worms in crates (2 shots)
0.40

4.
CU OF: man sifting through worms.
0.45

5.
CU: of man sifting through worms and closing box.
1.01

6.
CU OF: worm boxes
1.04

7.
GV: worms being carried off by motorcycle dispatch.
1.14



Initials RH/0125



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Taiwan's already thriving export trade has been boosted still further with a new item......earthworms.

SYNOPSIS: Box loads of earthworms carried by dispatch to local factories is becoming a common site in Taiwan. Finding the worms isn't much of a problem in Taiwan. A tropical climate, lush vegetation, and an abundance of rainfall is the perfect environment for these creatures. Traditionally earthworms have been popularly used in Taiwan to help break up the soil. The export of earthworms began three years ago after inquiries from America. Apparently its been discovered that besides being used as bait for fish, earthworms are able to absorb the wastes from factories making pulp, alcoholic drinks, and canned fruits, thereby increasing the economic value of the waste by products.

The new uses for the red-coloured earthworms have now made it a major export industry. The Chung Family company of Changhua in Central Taiwan is the largest producer of earthworms. Already the company exports to the United States and Japan nearly 2500 cases a month, each weighing two kilograms (4.5 pounds) and selling for 250 US dollars (110 pounds sterling). In Taiwan nearly 400 families are raising earthworms as a sideline.