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TThousands of people have protested against imports of American pork in the Taiwanese capital Taipei. Protesters marched in front of the presidential office building on Sunday. The government of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen lifted the ban on importing pork and beef from the United States in August. The ban will no longer apply in January.
The problem: the change allows importing pork with traces of the drug ractopamine. The drug is added to animal feed, it is said to contribute to lean meat. It is banned by the EU and allowed in the United States.
The largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), and many citizens oppose the lifting of the ban. “I have a son and if we eat things with ractopamine, it is not good for our body,” said Jacky Tsui, a 37-year-old factory worker. “I hope the government can see that citizens are against it.”
The KMT is now trying to push for a referendum on imports of American pork. Approximately 24 million people live in Taiwan. KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang asked Tsai to join a televised debate on the matter. “Taiwanese pigs don’t eat ractopamine, and now you’re asking Taiwanese to do so? That makes sense? ”He told his followers.
Tsai and her ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has a large majority in parliament, are defending the decision of the American pig by aligning the island with international standards. This will not jeopardize food security, but it will strengthen relations between Taiwan and the United States. The DPP called on the KMT to “stop its political machinations and return to rational discussions.”
