Taiwan's hog farmers have said they're not concerned about tariff reductions
on U.S. pork as long as country-of-origin labeling is strictly enforced,

The R-O-C Swine Association chair Pan Lian-zhou (潘連周) is also calling for
legislation to ensure proper labeling.

According to the tariff deal that Taiwan signed with the U.S. today, tariffs
on American pork and offal will remain in place but will be reduced, with
U.S. pork granted a three-year transition period for adjustments.

Current import duties stand at 12.5 percent for chilled and frozen pork and
15 percent for pork feet and offal.

Under the new pact, pork tariffs will eventually be lowered to between 6.3
percent and 10 percent, and pork offal, to 7.5 percent.

Pan said labeling requirements should also clearly apply to processed meat
products, noting that some processors import fatty pork belly from the United
States and mix it with lean Taiwanese pork to produce processed foods, and
label the final products as from Taiwan.

He said the proportion of U.S. and Taiwanese pork used should be clearly
indicated so consumers can make informed choices.



(JL)