TAIWAN OFFICIALS PLODDING FORWARD ON RACTOPAMINE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001951 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/24/2032 TAGS: ETRD PFOR TW SUBJECT: TAIWAN OFFICIALS PLODDING FORWARD ON RACTOPAMINE ISSUE DESPITE DOMESTIC PRESSURES Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reason 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Taiwan senior officials told the Director on August 23 and 24 that the issue of ractopamine residues in U.S. pork imports to Taiwan is "very sensitive" for the DPP administration in an election year, but pledged that the government is doing all it can to quietly resolve the issue. Premier Chang emphasized that he will need some time to forge a policy consensus and convince the majority of people on Taiwan that ractopamine in low levels is safe. Chang suggested that Taiwan is looking to the so-called "Japan model," which establishes an MRL on U.S. pork imports while continuing the prohibition on domestic use. Presidential Office Secretary-General Yeh told the Director that the administration is working to diffuse the pressure from farmer associations and legislators who want to continue the ban on ractopamine. She added that it will take some time to emphasize the scientific basis and conformity with international practices before any new standards are announced by Taiwan. COA Chairman Su told the Director he is trying to lower the decibel level by carrying out a series of educational meetings with hog farmers planned for August 27-29, but predicted the possibility for immediate success is slim. Opponents of lifting the ban tell AIT they will continue to fight the administration's efforts to apply international scientific standards to Taiwan. End Summary. Officials Ask for Time -------------- ¶2. (C) In meetings with Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and Presidential Office Secretary-General Yeh Chu-lan on August 23 and August 24, respectively, the Director expressed deep concern over the recent politicization of the food safety of U.S. pork imports to Taiwan. The Director noted that the Taiwan media has twisted perceptions about trade pressure and U.S. pork safety despite nearly ten years of imports since ractopamine was approved in the U.S. He urged the administration to move quickly in establishing and approving new guidelines that are in accord with international, scientific standards. He also urged Taiwan to underscore the health safety of those standards, noting that AIT has issued its own OpEd piece addressing the safety issue. The Director cautioned about strong U.S. industry and Congressional reaction should the ractopamine issue go unresolved much longer. ¶3. (C) Premier Chang told the Director that the ractopamine is "very sensitive" for the DPP administration in an election year. Chang said that nevertheless the Executive Yuan is doing all it can to quietly resolve the issue. He emphasized that he will need some time to forge a policy consensus and convince the majority of people on Taiwan that ractopamine in low levels is safe. To try to diffuse the situation and preserve the government's good relationship with the Taiwan domestic farmer and pig raiser's associations, Chang noted he had instructed Council of Agriculture (COA) Chairman Su Jia-chyuan to do a post-typhoon inspection of Taitung county during the protests in Taipei on August 21. ¶4. (C) The government's number ONE priority is ensuring Taiwan's food safety, Chang noted, and the EY has a good understanding of the scientific and HEALTH issues regarding ractopamine. Chang said he has instructed the Department of Health (DOH) to publicize the facts on ractopamine's safety, emphasizing that as a substance allowed under WTO regulations Taiwan has an obligation to abide by international agreements and world HEALTH and safety standards. Chang suggested that Taiwan is looking to the so-called "Japan model," which establishes an MRL on U.S. pork imports while continuing the prohibition on domestic use. ¶5. (C) Secretary-General Yeh Chu-lan told the Director that the administration is taking a "delaying tactic" to diffuse the pressure from farmer associations and legislators who want to continue the ban on U.S. pork imports with ractopamine. She emphasized that the administration cannot appear to be revising its zero-tolerance policy on ractopamine in response to U.S. as that would only further TAIPEI 00001951 002 OF 002 provoke protests and opposition to U.S imports. She added that it will take some time to emphasize the scientific basis and conformity with international practices before any new standards are announced by Taiwan. Yeh did not present a timeline of government action, but suggested it would not come before the open of the UN CODEX Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods on September 3. ¶6. (C) COA Chairman Su Jia-chyuan told the Director on August 24 that he is under a great deal of pressure from farmers and legislators not to remove the ban on domestic use. Su said he is trying to lower the decibel level by carrying out a series of educational meetings with hog farmers planned for August 27-29, but predicted the possibility for an immediate success is very slim. Su repeatedly emphasized that gaining producer support will take time, while pointing out that the most difficult aspect remains political. The Director told Su that Taiwan must be careful about how much time this takes. If measured in weeks, this would probably be okay for managing fallout, including from U.S. industry and Congress. If it takes months, he indicated the issue is bound to spill over with negative impact on an already-strained political relationship. Opponents Vow to Keep Up the Fight -------------- ¶7. (C) TSU legislator and consumer advocate Lai Hsing-yuan on August 24 told AIT that strong political forces are lining up against the Chen administration and its effort to lift the ban on ractopamine. Lai, who was a leading figure in the ban-U.S. beef movement last year and who is a leading spokesperson for the ban-ractopamine movement now, told AIT that she and other legislators intend to do all they can both now and in the fall legislative session beginning September 7 to "protect Taiwan consumers" and prevent "ractopamine-tainted" pork from entering Taiwan. Lai vehemently insisted that the Taiwan government's premier responsibility is to provide "the highest safety standards for Taiwan consumers" rather than observe an obligation to abide by international HEALTH and safety standards. Lai particularly opposes the DOH proposal to impose separate ractopamine MRLs on imported and domestic pork, arguing this would destroy the Taiwan pork industry. Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) Domestic political pressure on the Chen administration has been mounting after the DOH's public statement last week notifying its intention to establish a tolerance for ractopamine in meat products. On our part, we have made our case repeatedly to senior Taiwan officials, including President Chen himself. Taiwan officials are well aware of U.S. concerns and have pledged to nudge compliance with international standards forward. Nonetheless, domestic pressure on the government has continued to grow in a critical election year. Given the heated political emotions that this issue has evoked here, we'll need Washington's help to avoid a strong, immediate reaction from U.S. industry and Congress that could prove counterproductive and hamper ongoing efforts to work through this issue. YOUNG