Taiwan Lifts Import Restrictions on U.S. Pork and Beef, Exchanges Food Safety for Trade Talks
United Daily News, August 29, 2020
President Tsai: Lift of Import Restrictions Consistent with National Interests and Strategy
President Tsai Ing-wen announced that starting next year, U.S. pork and beef imports will be open and expanded. In accordance with scientific evidence and international standards, the limitations of ractopamine will be modified, and restrictions on U.S. cattle over 30-month of age will be dropped. President Tsai stressed that this decision is in line with Taiwan’s overall interests and future strategic development goals.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of the United States posted on Twitter that Taiwan’s removal of import barriers to U.S. pork and beef will open the door for even deeper economic and trade cooperation.
Ma Criticized Tsai’s Double Standard
The Tsai administration’s permit of U.S. pork and beef has however, caused an uproar of dissatisfaction. The Swine Association threatens to take their protests to the streets. Kang Chao-chou, former director of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, also doubts the “necessity of exchanging food safety for economic and trade negotiations.” Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s office also criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for previously trying to block the import of U.S. pork and beef, but after taking office, they completely changed direction and decided to open importation. How could this political act of “deceit to the people of Taiwan and servile attitude to the outside world” gain the trust of the people?
Some scholars believe that the promised risk assessment methods, communications with the industry, and methods of implementation, should be provided for external review. Since this action is a political decision and a politically formulated policy, the subsequent government will also have to bear the consequent responsibility.
DPP Legislator Wang Mei-hui also pointed out that the DPP used to take to the streets to oppose the U.S. pork and beef imports, but have now changed their position. “It would be a lie to say that no one is against this policy.” It is clear that some DPP legislators are also in shock at this sudden change in their policy.
Government and DPP Launched to Modify Ractopamine Residue Allowances
The Cabinet and related ministries are on working full force to launch this grand policy change. The Council of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare have begun to announce the revised ractopamine specifications, maximum allowable residues, import regulations and inspection procedures.
Minister Chen Chi-chung of the Council of Agriculture pointed out that when Former President Ma was in office, beta receptor hormone, commonly known as “clenbuterol” was used. Out of the twenty different kinds of clenbuterols, only ractopamine was modified this time, which is also a safer animal drug.
In response to the complaints of the pig farmers, Chen Chi-chung said that the government will set up a NT$10 billion (about US$340 million) industrial fund and compile an annual pig industry development plan of NT$2.4 billion (about US$81 million). The government will also subsidize the modernization of pig farm equipment, increase insurance payment for pig deaths and work on expanding the export of Taiwanese pork.
As for the risk of mad cow disease, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shi-chung stated that Taiwan has already opened the imports of U.S. cattle under 30 months of age and consumed about 60,000 metric tons of U.S. beef each year without any problem. Furthermore, the World Organization for Animal Health has listed the U.S. status to negligible risk of mad cow disease, which means there is basically no risk.
President Tsai believes that U.S.-Taiwan relations has reached its best state in decades. Taiwan and the U.S. now has a more extensive and deeper economic and trade exchanges. Both sides are also optimistic about the signing of a bilateral trade agreement, which would be a good opportunity for Taiwan’s economic and trade development. However, “Taiwan must show determination when facing and solving problems.” The government has the responsibility to ensure all foods meet the national food safety standards. “We are not making any compromise or concession.”
Minister without portfolio John Deng also expressed an optimistic view on the holding of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meetings, and believes that the United States will soon have a concrete response.