The Kuomintang legislative caucus made a proposal to create a new Standard Classification of Commodity Code for imported American pork containing Ractopamine. Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua said no country has a CCC code for one specific animal additive and the WTO may challenge this kind of regulation.
Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua told lawmakers on the 19th the Tsai administration will not create a new Standard Classification of Commodity Code for imported American pork containing controversial leanness-enhancing drug Ractopamine. Wang said no country has a CCC code just for Ractopamine and creating one would only create new trade obstacles. She also claimed the World Trade Organization would challenge such a move.
Would this comply with WTO (regulations)? Would it create more so-called trade obstacles? These relevant testing and disease control regulations -- why placing special emphasis on these national treatment, non-discrimination and necessity principles is to try to avoid creating unnecessary trade obstacles. If it is against regulations, it would definitely violate WTO (regulations).
Wang told lawmakers Taiwan wants to sign a bilateral trade agreement with the US and Taiwan must follow international regulations on trade to overcome obstacles. Asked about the timetable for the signing of the BTA, Wang did not respond.
You told us the BTA timetable would be announced on Aug. 28 and go into effect on Jan. 1 next year. When do you think it will be signed? At present, Taiwan -- we are still reviewing this kind of thing. This issue has plagued us for years -- the lack of a resolution on US beef and pork has create enormous obstacles.
Wang was also asked about holding public hearings on US meat containing Ractopamine, which lawmakers said were necessary. Wang said there has already been a lot of discussion and the public knows enough. The Ministry of Economic Affairs hopes US meat containing Ractopamine can start entering Taiwan on Jan. 1.