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TAIPEI: A decision by Taiwan to import more US beef has hurled the island's ruling party into its worst internal row yet, with leading members Tuesday openly urging a boycott over health concerns.
Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin, a prominent figure in the Kuomintang party, called on residents and restaurants in the capital city to avoid high-risk US beef products.
"We oppose the import of certain types of US beef to safeguard the people's health... We welcome other cities and counties to join us," Hau told reporters.
The health department last week announced that it will lift a ban on US beef on the bone and other products such as intestines and spinal cords imposed in 2003 amid fears over mad cow disease.
Although presidential spokesman Wang Yu-chi has said the decision to end the ban is "in the country's interest," it was immediately blasted from across the political spectrum for allowing high-risk items to enter the island.
The Kuomintang-dominated parliament was also seething at the health department for making the move without seeking its consent first, and vowed to halt US beef imports.
Dozens of activists who rallied outside the parliament on Tuesday accused the government of bowing to pressure from Washington despite health risks and demanded a reimposition of the ban.
"Everybody refuse to eat US beef," shouted the protesters, some wearing cow masks.
Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang offered over the weekend to resign over the controversy.
Observers say Washington may have used the beef issue as a bargaining chip in its talks with Taipei over the purchase of dozens of US-made F-16 fighters as well as a framework trade and investment agreement.
Taiwan banned all US beef imports in December 2003 after reports of mad cow disease on the island but opened up to boneless beef imports in 2006.
Beef affected by the disease is feared to cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a human variant of mad cow disease.
The Kuomintang party assumed power in May last year after eight years in opposition.
- AFP/yb
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