Opposition parliamentarians threw pork offal into the Taiwanese legislature on Friday (November 27th) to protest the government's decision to ease restrictions on imports of this meat from the United States.
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The Taiwanese Parliament, known to be frequently the scene of scenes of chaotic clashes between elected officials on both sides of the political spectrum, experienced a new type of clash on Friday.
Members of the opposition Kuomintang Party (KMT) spilled buckets of pork offal on the ground before hurling intestines, hearts, livers and a host of other organs at their opponents.
The Taiwanese government recently announced its decision to allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine as of January 1.
This additive, which helps make meat leaner, is banned in China and in the European Union.
US authorities have stressed that imports of pork and beef are one of the main obstacles to signing a trade agreement between Washington and Taipei.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party (PDP), which holds a large majority in parliament, hope that such relaxation will lead to the conclusion of the agreement.
Many Taiwanese remain opposed to these imports of American pork, and the KMT has taken up the issue after a series of electoral setbacks.
Last weekend, KMT members joined tens of thousands of people attending an annual union rally and opposition to the importation of the meat was among the main demands.
Taiwan's powerful domestic pork industry also fears competition from the United States.
Before coming to power, the DPP led a campaign against ractopamine and the KMT now accuses it of hypocrisy.
The ruling party maintains that the additive does not pose a health threat and that the agreement will strengthen ties with the United States, a valuable trading partner and a strategic ally against China.
"
We are sorry to throw pork offal in parliament, but it is to highlight the pork issue
," Lin Wei-chou, an opposition parliamentarian, told reporters.
Lin Chu-yin, a DPP elected official, posted photos of the offal thrown on her Facebook account.
“
The opposition party has the right to protest, but it should not waste food,
” she wrote.
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