Policy changes on US meat imports worry Taiwanese

Members of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang protesting in Taipei earlier this month against President Tsai Ing-wen's lifting of the ban on importing US pork with ractopamine, a feed additive to make meat lean. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Members of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang protesting in Taipei earlier this month against President Tsai Ing-wen's lifting of the ban on importing US pork with ractopamine, a feed additive to make meat lean. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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In a bustling noodle shop in New Taipei City, a wide array of noodles and braised dishes are offered, most with pork in them. The owners of the shop GaoYi use only pork from Taiwanese pig farmers and will continue to do so even when Taiwan begins importing pork from the United States next year.

Their high-schooler daughter Michelle Huang, 17, who helps out at the shop, shook her head in disapproval when asked about Taiwan's new decision. "My mother is against using US pork, even if it might be cheaper. Taiwan's pork tastes better, and we're also worried that this will put Taiwanese pig farmers out of business."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 18, 2020, with the headline Policy changes on US meat imports worry Taiwanese. Subscribe