After the discovery of a second suspected case of mad cow disease in the US, lawmakers called yesterday for an immediate suspension of US beef imports. But health authorities stood firm on their policy of allowing imports, saying it is safe to consume US beef.
"We don't see a necessity of stopping the import of US beef until the suspected case is confirmed," said Chen Lu-hung (
The tests, which are being conducted in the UK to confirm an earlier, positive test for mad cow disease, may take up to two weeks. It will be the fourth examination of three suspected cows discovered in June last year.
Criticizing the DOH's policy as "treating human life like grass," Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Lai Shin-yuan (賴幸媛) said the health department should immediately suspend beef imports from the US, and ask hotels, restaurants and eateries to stop providing US beef now. Government officials who earlier this year reopened the local market to US beef should step down, she added.
Lai also said that the department should re-examine its policy on beef imports and adopt a stricter set of food safety standards.
US beef was banned by the DOH for a year and a half because of the discovery of a single case of mad cow disease in Washington State in 2003. The DOH announced in late March that the nation would conditionally reopen its market to US boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old, beginning April 16.
Criticizing government officials for endorsing US beef at the expense of public health, Lai vowed to propose amendments to the Regulation of Health Food (食品衛生管理法) this upcoming legislative session to require approval from the legislature before beef is imported from affected areas.
"It's pathetic that when we wake up each morning, we don't know what's safe to eat or drink because much of our food is contaminated one way of another," she said.
She was referring to the recent string of food contaminations, including baby milk powder contaminated by salmonella bacteria, meat coming from sick and putrefied pigs, flour made out of waste fodder and vegetables contaminated with pesticide.
With Japan, South Korea, China and Singapore still closed off to the import of US beef, Lai said that she is very curious to know why Taiwan decided to buck the trend.
"Although I don't think there is any under-the-counter dealing, our government officials have developed the habit of caving in to US pressure," she said.
Joining forces with the TSU, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) requested that the DOH make public its decision-making process regarding the reopening of local market to US beef.
"We are not a subordinate of the US government. The DOH cannot resume the import of US beef simply because US officials tell them that their beef is safe," Lai said.
Another TSU lawmaker, David Huang (黃適卓), asked Chen to eat a box of cooked beef to prove its safety, but Chen refused, calling Huang's request a "stunt." That comment sparked a heated argument between the two, which other lawmakers joined.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Eva Hsieh (謝欣霓) described as "stupid" the DOH's decision to wait until the results of the UK test before considering banning US beef.
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