President Tsai Ing-wen said Aug. 28 that Taiwan has agreed to ease regulations governing imports of U.S. beef and pork, setting the stage for the government to enter into negotiations with Washington on a future bilateral trade agreement.
Relevant ministries have been instructed to set standards for residue levels of ractopamine, an additive used commonly in U.S. feed to enhance leanness, in pork while loosening restrictions on beef from U.S. cattle aged 30 months or older, Tsai said. The health of Taiwan’s people is of primary importance, and all changes will be made according to the latest scientific evidence and international standards while serving the country’s economic interests and future strategic goals, she added.
Tsai made the remarks during a specially scheduled press conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
According to Tsai, Taiwan must capitalize on its strong economy to secure its position in the global supply chain following the coronavirus pandemic and U.S.-China trade war. This includes deepening Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S., its main strategic partner and the world’s largest economy, she said.
Businesses on both sides have forged close ties after decades of mutually beneficial interactions, Tsai said, adding the government’s decision to allow imports of U.S. beef and pork proves its commitment to removing long-standing obstacles to a potential trade pact.
The decision is also in line with international food sanitation standards and does not require the government to make any compromises or concessions on people’s health, Tsai said. A growing body of scientific evidence confirms ractopamine’s safety at levels that adhere to those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission under the U.N., she added.
Neighboring countries including Japan, South Korea and Singapore have opened up their markets to pork containing ractopamine, Tsai said, adding that no food safety issues have arisen since Taiwan greenlighted U.S. beef imports in 2012.
According to Tsai, further measures such as quarantine and inspection for imported meat and stringent labeling regulations will be implemented to guarantee food safety. The country’s domestic hog farming industry will also maintain its leading position, Tsai said, citing the current 90 percent share of the local market and a planned NT$10 billion (US$340 million) industry-support fund.
The decision has received bipartisan support from over 70 academics, business representatives and political figures in the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 29. These include U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Antony Blinken, foreign policy adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. (YCH-E)
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