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US beef resolution a
priority, Ma says
By By Mo Yan-chih and Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff Reporters
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday instructed Council of Agriculture
minister-designate Chen Bao-ji (陳保基) to make US beef imports a priority and to
seek a solution to the longstanding dispute, as he had promised Washington that
discussions on the matter would begin soon.
US beef imports have drawn attention again after Ma’s meeting with American
Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt on Wednesday in Taipei. Ma
told Burghardt that the new Cabinet would start discussions on the issue after
it is sworn in on Monday.
At the center of the dispute is the US’ use of ractopamine, a controversial feed
additive to enhance lean meat. Taiwan began testing for the chemical in January
last year, which led to the banning of US beef parts that contain the additive.
Chen confirmed to the Taipei Times that Ma had instructed the council, the
Department of Health and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to deliberate on the
issue at the earliest possible.
“Food safety is the most important concern. The impact of imports of meat
products produced with ractopamine on the local industry is also important. And
the ractopamine acceptability criteria adopted by Taiwan must be in line with
international standards,” Chen quoted the president as saying.
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