Amid Protest, Premier Su Finally Addresses Legislative Yuan
United Daily News, November 27, 2020
Under the protection of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, Premier Su Tseng-chang of the Executive Yuan has finally completed his policy report at the Legislative Yuan—in a mess of raw pork viscera. The DPP made a strong stand and overcome the Kuomintang’s (KMT) boycott. Although this embarrassing episode has come to a close, the DPP is still unable to expunge its record regarding the import of American pork containing ractopamine, disregarding public food safety.
Looking back to 2012, the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou, under pressure from the United States, had opened up the market to American beef imports containing ractopamine. Then the DPP opposition not only boycotted the legislative proceedings but also launched a war of public opinion. The party only ceased fire when the Ma administration conceded to additional controls and requirements.
In opposition to importing pork containing ractopamine, Minister Chen Chih-chung of the Council of Agriculture in his prior role as an academic, made clear his position about the seriousness of the decision, urging the government to take all measures to prohibit the imports. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, who was then a DPP legislator, also boldly claimed that "the same day we accept imported pork containing clenbuterol will be the same day the president steps down.”
Even in the early days of the President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration, the Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung emphasized in 2017 that for the sake of food safety he would have no regrets even giving up his ministerial post. However, following President Tsai’s announcement on August 28 that such imports would be permitted, the three Chens have all remained in their lofty positions — the import of pork containing ractopamine no longer objectionable.
When the KMT was in power, it opened up the beef market but now it is blocking the pork import. This change of position does owe an explanation in theory. It can be said therefore, that the KMT understands acutely the difficulties that the DPP administration is now facing. For that reason, the KMT demanded only that Premier Su to apologize for the DPP’s inconsistency. It is not unreasonable. However, the five safeguard measures proposed by Premier Su still give priority to the interests of the United States and not public health.
In the morning, the DPP group of legislators sidestepped the KMT’s boycott and allowed Premier Su to complete his policy report. However, in face of myriad doubts, Su could only put on a brave face, insisting on doing his utmost to check and carry out his duties as the pork was imported. What he failed to explain was why the product could not simply be labeled as such and why the change in policy altogether?
With Premier Su’s policy report today the DPP has finally put an end to an infamous record of opening up the markets to American pork. But his past record stands. One can only wonder how this betrayal of the people, this political cover-up, can be reconciled with their conscience.