Taiwan's parliament approved the import of pork from hogs produced using the feed additive ractopamine, despite efforts to halt the action by the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT).
KMT lawmakers denounced the action, declaring that U.S. pork produced with the feed additive was "poison."
The Taiwanese government has taken the position that no one will be forced to eat the pork and the action will bring Taiwan in line with international norms. There are a mix of countries that allow and those that ban imports of pork from hogs raised on ractopamine.
Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters the government would protect the health of citizens. The action is also seen as an effort by Taiwan to secure a free trade deal with the U.S. which has complained about Taiwan's ban on pork produced with ractopamine.