In Taiwan’s pig country, decision on US pork divides families

Father and son pork farmers are in opposition over President Tsai Ing-wen’s move to allow in American product containing ractopamine

The average Taiwanese consumes around 40kg of the meat a year

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Pingtung in southern Taiwan is pig farming heartland and farmers there are bracing for the effects of American pork imports. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:38pm, 16 Dec 2020Updated: 2:18pm, 16 Dec 2020

In southern Taiwan’s pig-producing heartland, the government’s contentious decision to ease restrictions on imports of United States pork is rankling some producers and dividing families.

President Tsai Ing-wen’s decision in August to allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and mainland China, has roiled Taiwan politics.

In Taiwan’s southernmost county of Pingtung, a major pork-producing area, pig farmer Wu Jung-en, 63, said he was “furious and shocked” when he heard the news.

“I’m quite worried this will make people fear pork, so maybe they won’t eat it any more. It’s a terrible thing for us,” said Wu, who has a herd of about 10,000 hogs.

His 32-year-old son Wu Hung-chi, however, does not see it that way.

“I’ve told my friends that if they’re scared, then go and buy warm-body pork,” said the younger Wu, referring to meat that is eaten shortly after slaughter, rather than frozen.

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