0
Taiwan's pork consumption, so far this year, has been largely unchanged compared to the same period of last year, despite the government's decision to allow imports of U.S. pork containing the feed additive ractopamine. Total pork consumption from January 1 to February 16 this year was around 62,245 tonnes, compared to 59,278 tonnes in the same period last year.
Ractopamine can be used on pigs in the U.S. but not in Taiwan. Pork is Taiwan's most popular meat, with an average per capita consumption of around 40kg. The local pork market has a self-sufficiency rate of more than 90 percent.
Meanwhile, during Thursday's Cabinet meeting, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said it plans to launch a four-year NT$12.83 billion (US$466 million) program to assist the domestic pork industry. The funding will be used to support hog farmers' incomes; subsidize insurance premiums on hogs; develop more export opportunities for domestic pork and provide subsidies to upgrade facilities.
The money will also be used to increase the inspection of imported U.S. pork with ractopamine, to ensure it is labeled correctly; encourage local restaurants to use domestic pork and promote the labeling of domestic pork products to clearly distinguish them from imported ones, according to the COA.
February 19, 2021/ Overseas Community Affairs Council/ Taiwan.
https://www.ocac.gov.tw
