The Taiwanese government has announced plans to set an allowance level for U.S. beef that contains the feed additive ractopamine but not set a similar level for U.S. pork. Ractopamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is used by many U.S. beef and pork producers as a feed additive.

On the positive side, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says – I’m encouraged that the Taiwanese government may allow some U.S. beef that contains traces of ractopamine into Taiwan, but the announcement falls far short of resolving this issue. The Taiwanese government has not set any allowable level of this additive for U.S. pork imports.

The Senator reiterated his previous thoughts, saying – there is no scientific reason for Taiwan to set residual levels of a certain additive for beef but not pork. He continues, – Taiwan must treat U.S. agricultural products fairly, in accordance with scientific evidence, and in keeping with its trade obligations, if it expects to maintain its status as a strong economic partner with the United States.