Source: Richard Smith, MEATINGPLACE, 7/12/11

The Taiwanese government’s ban on the use of ractopamine in either locally produced or imported meat products remains in place, Taiwan Today reported.

That's because there is still no global consensus on the feed additive's safety, Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) and Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
The two agencies made the announcement after last Wednesday's session of the United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission (UNCAC) ended without reaching an agreement on allowing the use of the drug in meat production.

Ractopamine, commonly known as lean meat agent, is a growth promoter that helps increase muscle mass in animals. The chemical is prohibited by most countries, including Taiwan, the EU and mainland China. Australia, Canada and the U.S. are among those that allow the additive in meat production.
 
According to officials, 28 UN members were against permitting ractopamine as a feed additive, while 26 members voiced their support. The UNCAC is likely to revisit the matter in its 2012 session, they added.
Taiwan and the U.S. have been in a stalemate over the issue for years. U.S. beef imports were first found to contain the drug in January. Several hundred tons of meat products from the U.S have been rejected by Taiwan for this reason. Rick Ruzicka, director for Trade and Commercial Programs at the American Institute in Taiwan, has reportedly said that until the beef issue is addressed, Washington will not resume talks with Taipei under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

The COA first prohibited the chemical in 2006. It considered lifting the ban in 2007 but scrapped the idea after it met with strong opposition from local pig farmers. Lien-Chou Pan, head of Taiwan’s pig farmers association, said his organization will continue to fight against the use of ractopamine for the interest of local farmers and the safety of the general public.

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