Lawmakers in Taiwan throw pig guts at each other in row over US pork imports

[Stevicus]

Lawmakers throw pig guts, punches on Taiwan parliament floor

Sometimes I wish our own Congress or state legislatures could be so energized and enthusiastic.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lawmakers in Taiwan got into a fist fight and threw pig guts at each other Friday over a soon-to-be enacted policy that would allow imports of U.S. pork and beef.

Premier Su Tseng-chang was due to give a regularly scheduled policy report to lawmakers on Friday morning about the pork policy when opposition party lawmakers from the Nationalist party, also known as the KMT, blocked his attempt to speak by dumping bags of pig organs. Legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party attempted to stop them, resulting in chaos and an exchange of punches.

A DPP lawmaker wrestled a KMT lawmaker to the floor in the scuffle.

Some people are objecting to US pork imports due to the use of ractopamine, a drug used to promote the growth of lean meat.

President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration lifted a longstanding ban on imports of U.S. pork and beef in August, in a move seen as one of the first steps toward possibly negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. The ban is due to be lifted in January.

That decision has met with fierce opposition, both from the KMT and individual citizens. The new policy allows imports of pork with acceptable residues of ractopamine, a drug that some farmers add to animal feed that promotes the growth of lean meat.

On Sunday, thousands of people marched in Taipei to protest the imports.

U.S. pork would account for a small percentage of the island’s consumption, but the Nationalist party has seized on the issue in an effort to mobilize support following successive failures at the polls.

“When you were in the opposition, you were against U.S. pork, now that you’re in power, you’ve become a supporter of U.S. pork,” said KMT legislator Lin Wei-chou, who led the group of lawmakers protesting the policy on Friday. They wore black T-shirts that read “oppose ractopamine-pork.”

DPP lawmakers called for peace. “You have blocked Premier Su from reposting to the parliament for 12 times, ” said Hsu Sheng-chieh, a DPP legislative member. “Please return to reason.”

Well, if they don't want U.S. pork, then that'll be more for the rest of us.

 

[Audie]

Lawmakers throw pig guts, punches on Taiwan parliament floor

Sometimes I wish our own Congress or state legislatures could be so energized and enthusiastic.



Some people are objecting to US pork imports due to the use of ractopamine, a drug used to promote the growth of lean meat.

Well, if they don't want U.S. pork, then that'll be more for the rest of us.

I've been to Taiwan several times.

Wonderful dynamic country !

 

[Brickjectivity]

Its perfectly reasonable to object to our meat. I can't fault them for deciding what kind of meat they want.

 

[Secret Chief]

All I want now is global objection to eating dead pigs.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Its perfectly reasonable to object to our meat. I can't fault them for deciding what kind of meat they want.

Not even any applesauce. No wonder they are upset.

 

[Revoltingest]

I've been to Taiwan several times.

Wonderful dynamic country !

And just think of how much more dynamic & diverse
it will be once the mainland government takes over!

 

[Subduction Zone]

All I want now is global objection to eating dead pigs.

You want to eat them when they are still alive How barbaric!

 

[Subduction Zone]

I love this shot:

 

[Nakosis]

That's what I want to see, AOC throwing pig guts at any one saying no to the Green New Deal.

 

[SomeRandom]

Now this is politics!

 

[Secret Chief]

You want to eat them when they are still alive How barbaric!

I love hearing them squeal.