Tue, Sep 01, 2020 page3

• US Meat Imports: KMT to attempt to block ractopamine at local level

  • By Huang Ming-tang, Lin Liang-sheng and Chou Min-hung / Staff reporters
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  The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday said it is planning to push for cities and counties nationwide to implement ordinances that would effectively ban pork containing ractopamine.

  KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), Taitung County Commissioner Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴), Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua (吳秀華) and other members of the KMT Taitung County Council caucus held a news conference at the council to protest the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s decision to allow the import of US pork containing ractopamine.

  “Is this the era of authoritarianism?” they asked.

  

  Members of the Hsinchu City Council’s Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus hold a news conference on US meat imports in the city yesterday.

  Photo: Hung Mei-hsiu, Taipei Times

  The KMT said that it would supervise the central government’s decision through its caucuses in county and city councils or set local ordinances to block it.

  People’s health is more important than anything, Chiang said, accusing President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration of not communicating with the public, refusing to be subject to supervision and making the decision rashly.

  The Tsai administration announced that it would relax restrictions on US pork and beef without any regard for the local industry and people’s health, and without public consensus, he said.

  

  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Culture and Communications Committee chairwoman Alicia Wang points to a poster titled: “Risk assessment black box!” during a news conference on US meat imports in Taipei yesterday.

  Photo: CNA

  Chiang also accused the DPP of having double standards, saying that it had previously opposed the use of ractopamine.

  According to the Local Government Act (地方制度法), health management is a local government matter, and local governments have the authority to formulate such ordinances, he said.

  Some cities and counties have already formulated ordinances banning ractopamine, he said, adding that KMT city and county caucuses would demand that local governments enforce those ordinances.

  In cities and counties where such ordinances have not been put in place, the caucuses would work to ensure they are, the KMT said, adding that such ordinances are in place in some cities and counties, but could be improved upon.

  At a separate news conference, New Taipei City Councilor and KMT spokeswoman Chiang I-chen (江怡臻) said that the KMT New Taipei City Council caucus would this week propose amendments to the city’s food safety ordinance to require “zero” traces of ractopamine in US pork.

  KMT Culture and Communications Committee chairwoman Alicia Wang (王育敏) asked whether the Tsai administration had conducted a proper risk assessment regarding its decision to allow US pork containing ractopamine.

  Wang said the decision was made in haste and failed to follow proper administrative procedure.

  Former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration had to make some compromises to bolster international trade, but it insisted on separate policies for pork and beef, because Taiwanese consume less beef, Wang said.

  However, the Tsai administration made compromises on the import of pork and internal organs of the animals, she said, adding that the decision would have a great impact on the health of Taiwanese.

  The Ma administration also faced pressure on the issue, Wang said, but added that the health of people should be the “bottom line.”

  Separately yesterday in response to media queries, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) of the KMT asked if health risk evaluations regarding the import of US pork and beef have been completed, and whether there are supporting measures to safeguard people’s health.

  Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said the central government’s announcement was too abrupt, adding that it appeared “domineering” by setting the implementation date for Jan. 1 without discussing it with the public in advance.

  He said that the DPP should explain why imported pork can contain ractopamine residue, but domestic pig farmers are prohibited from using the substance.

  The party should also explain its control measures and whether internal organs of pigs would also be allowed to be imported.

  Additional reporting by Lee I-chia
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