Politics

Amendment blocking US beef to remain fuzzy

• Publication Date：11/05/2009
• Source： China Times

An amendment to the Food Sanitation Act restricting U.S. beef imports to Taiwan will be worded in a general manner, according to high-ranking officials within the government and ruling Kuomintang Nov. 4.

Intensive discussions are underway within the KMT on the wording of the amendment, set to be passed Nov. 17. The officials revealed the party is leaning toward the adoption of general wording that does not employ reference to sensitive items such as the skull, brain, eyes, trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, vertebral column, internal organs and ground beef, but would stipulate that administrative departments could establish separate regulations regarding inspection.

KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao said the handling of American beef imports is almost out of control. The National Security Bureau’s advance evaluation of the matter was not accurate enough, underestimating the possible public reaction, for which NSB Director-General Tsai De-sheng should take responsibility, he added.

Questioned in the Legislature Nov. 4, Tsai admitted the response has exceeded the NSB’s estimation. He emphasized, however, that the bureau can only provide intelligence; it is not appropriate for the NSB to provide recommendations or influence policymaking. The bureau’s report to the National Security Council specifically referred to the reaction in South Korea when U.S. beef imports were liberalized.

Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi said the president respects the Legislature’s mandate to amend laws, but the government would protect the health and safety of the people while not violating the spirit and standards of the World Trade Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health.

President Ma Ying-jeou met recently with KMT caucus secretary-general Lu Hsueh-chang on the subject of revising the food sanitation law. Ma said if a region is classified as an infected area, the entire cow should be banned from importation; if it is not an infected area, why is there a need to restrict certain parts of the animal? He hoped the party caucus would consider these logical contradictions when amending the law. Lu also felt if the use of the word “prohibit” in the law is too strong, they could use “may not.”

As to whether the diplomatic protocol or national law would take precedence, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng said of course national law trumps the protocol. Once a law is passed, all must abide by it. Besides, protocols are not ratified by the Legislature, he added.

Lin Yi-shih, chief executive of the KMT’s Central Policy Committee, said he has asked the CPC to thoroughly review possible legal conflicts with the two proposed versions of the amendment to the food sanitation law. The KMT caucus will move to introduce its version, and if revisions to other laws are also needed, it will propose amendments very soon. (THN)