Taiwanese pig farmer associations have held a joint press conference Wednesday to reiterate their opposition to the import of US pork with ractopamine.
Taiwan currently bans the import of US pork because it contains the leanness enhancing drug. The question of whether to lift the ban to help Taiwan’s bid to join the TPP has become a focus in the ongoing presidential race.
ROC Swine Association head Chang Sheng-chin said Wednesday that over 65% of the world’s nations ban ractopamine. He said that Taiwan should maintain the ban for the sake of consumers' health. He also said that imports of US pork with ractopamine would have a strongly negative impact on Taiwan’s pig-farming industry.
“The price of imported US pork does not include the trade handover fee known as ‘Free On Board’. Its price without tax is NT$93/kg," said Chang, "The cost of producing pork in Taiwanese dollars is between NT$103 and NT$108. If imports come in, the first impact they will have on Taiwan will be on the wholesale price of local pork."
Taiwan’s pig-farming associations say that if Taiwan’s government lifts its ban on US pork with ractapamine, they will work with consumer associations to organize nationwide protests.