Premier Su Tseng-chang gives the thumbs-up to Taiwan’s pork industry during an event promoting the local sector Dec. 6 in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Executive Yuan)
 

Premier Su Tseng-chang said Nov. 6 that the government is fully committed to transforming Taiwan’s pork industry by strengthening its global competitiveness while promoting the sector’s sustainable development.

The pork industry is a key pillar of domestic agriculture, which is why the government is aiming for locally reared animals to meet 90 percent of the country’s needs, Su said during an inspection tour of a meat market in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County.

According to Su, the Cabinet is reviewing a four-year, NT$13 billion (US$460 million) project proposed by the Council of Agriculture to protect pork farmers from the risks associated with new animal diseases and trade liberalization. In addition to equipment upgrades, the plan focuses on building advanced cold chain logistics infrastructure, offering enhanced insurance against operational losses and improving local businesses’ efficiency.

As the country gears up for the lifting of a ban on U.S. pork imports starting Jan. 1, including those containing traces of the leanness-enhancing feed additive ractopamine, Su said the government will take precautionary measures such as those adopted against African swine fever to prevent substandard meat from entering Taiwan.

Nothing is more important than the people’s health, Su said, adding no effort will be spared in implementing and enforcing strict inspection and labeling measures on all U.S. pork imports so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. (SFC-E)