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DPP
reaffirms positions on ractopamine, gambling
By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) reaffirmed its positions on the US beef
controversy and the referendum on gambling in Matsu, saying that international
standards should be adopted to safeguard food safety and that it respected Matsu
residents¡¦ decision despite its longstanding anti-gambling policy.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission¡¦s voting process on the adoption of maximum
residue levels (MRLs) for the livestock feed additive ractopamine was
¡§controversial¡¨ and the results were close, DPP Chairperson Su Tseng-chang (Ĭs©÷)
said in Taichung yesterday on the sidelines of a party event.
¡§Since an international standard has been adopted, the DPP will insist on its
longstanding position ¡X safeguarding the public health, referencing the
international standard, monitoring the government and protecting the local
livestock industry,¡¨ he said.
While Su made the comments, several DPP lawmakers said that stricter measures
should be adopted.
They said that Taiwan should follow the path of the EU, which opposes the
adoption of allowable levels of ractopamine.
On the referendum passed in Matsu on Saturday in favor of the construction of a
casino resort, both Su and the DPP¡¦s legislative caucus said they would respect
the results.
¡§A referendum is a direct expression of people¡¦s power and we respect the
decisions of the people, whatever they are,¡¨ Su said.
Su said that the formulation of related laws and regulations would be essential
for the project to materialize.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (¬_«Ø»Ê) said the party has always maintained an
anti-gambling stance and had never supported the legalization of gambling during
its eight years in power between 2000 and 2008.
¡§The people of Matsu have spoken and we respect their choice. However, the DPP
still maintains its anti-gambling position and will not support the proposed
gambling act when it¡¦s in the legislature in the future,¡¨ he said.
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