SETTING STANDARDS: The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it yesterday finalized a new rule that would require vendors to clearly label the origin of pork products
Taipei Times
Date: Aug 29, 2020
By: Sean Lin / Staff reporter
President Tsai Ing-wen, center, speaks at a news conference in the Presidential Office Building’s Entrance Hall in Taipei yesterday, alongside Vice President William Lai, left, and Premier Su Tseng-chang, right.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
“This is a decision that was made based on national economic interests and is in line with future comprehensive strategic objectives,” Tsai told a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei.
Despite her Democratic Progressive Party’s long insistence on a “zero tolerance” policy toward ractopamine, Tsai said she has instructed government agencies to set a “safe tolerance” level for the leanness-enhancing drug in imported pork, based on scientific evidence and international standards, on the condition that the public’s health is protected.
Later yesterday at a news conference at the Executive Yuan, officials said the policy, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, would have a limited effect on consumers and the nation’s pig farming industry. [FULL STORY]
