September 1, 2020

Taiwan's opposition protests government allowing US pork imports with ractopamine

Johnny Chiang, chairman of Taiwan's opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) said they are against Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's administration announcement to allow US pork imports containing ractopamine, South China Morning Post and Taiwan reported.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announced that the country will relax strict restrictions on US pork imports with ractomapine and allow cattle imports over the age of 30 months from next year.

Ractopamine is an additive that lowers meat fat content.

In a South China Morning Post report, the KMT said the Tsai administration lifted of the ban without discussing with the public, legislature and swine and cattle farmers, even though she was against imports of US pork containing ractopamine before she was elected.

Alicia Wang, KMT Culture and Communications Committee chairwoman said eight to 10 counties and cities in Taiwan have developed ordinances to control pork containing ractopamine, with the rest (such as New Taipei City) currently introducing such legislations. These are KMT-controlled cities and counties.

She said the KMT will collaborate with local governments and legislatures in an effort to boycott the import of US pork with the ractopamine additive.

On Facebook, President Tsai said by lifting the brand, it could improve Taiwan's international trust and develop future US – Taiwan trade talks. Several top US government officials have voiced positively to Taiwan's measures.

Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan's health minister said the public can trust the government's food safety policy.

Wang Chien-chuan, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research vice president said Taiwan's export oriented economy meant that a free-trade or bilateral agreement with the US is important.

However, Yen Chen-shen, a National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations senior researcher said Taiwan's move to lift the ban on US pork and beef imports does not mean that the US will agree to a free-trade or bilateral agreement.

-      South China Morning Post and Taiwan News