Legislature to vote on US beef amendments

Taiwanese protesters hold slogans reading "Anti-U.S. beef, Guarantee health" during a protest in Taipei, Taiwan, against Taiwan government's plan to allow the import of U.S. beef to Taiwan Sunday, April 1, 2012. The protesters claim that the U.S. beef contains growth drug. <AP/NEWSis>

The Legislative Yuan is scheduled to vote on the so-called beef amendments today. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said yesterday it’s staging an unprecedented 120-hour filibuster that could kill the package.

If passed, amendments to Act Governing Food Sanitation would relax Taiwan’s zero-tolerance policy against U.S. beef imports containing ractopamine. If no vote occurs in three plenary meets that remain in the current session, the bills must restart the review process after summer recess.

The DPP caucus said yesterday that it has begun a five-day, four-night filibuster.

DPP and minor opposition lawmakers have been on the plenary floor since 7:20 a.m. Monday, taking turns occupying the seat of Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng.

Lawmakers are prepared to extend the filibuster until Friday and prevent a vote during the session, according to the DPP caucus.

“This will be the most extended conflict yet in the history of the Legislative Yuan,” said DPP caucus Director-General Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) yesterday.

Ker, a caucus whip, said yesterday that the filibuster will end only if the ruling administration revokes the June 10th price hike for delivered electricity.

“If the problem (of the electricity hike) is not resolved, I believe that the Legislative Yuan’s agenda should not proceed. I have just told the Legislative Speaker our decision, and we’ll see how the KMT deals with it,” said Ker.

“We are prepared to be on that floor all 24 hours of the day,” said DPP caucus Secretary-General Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃).

Late yesterday, DPP staffers were seen delivering sleeping bags to lawmakers on the floor.

7 Troops

The Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus met Monday at noon and resolved to divide its members into seven units that “will respond to various situations,” according to KMT lawmakers.

“The KMT has its own methods for handling the situation,” said KMT Legislator Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇).

“We will work very hard to dispatch obstacles, or work very hard to create conditions that allow the meeting to proceed, so that (Legislative Speaker) Wang can have a stable situation in which to conduct a regular session,” he said.

KMT caucus whip Hsu Yao-chang made a public appeal yesterday for the DPP to “be rational and calm.”

“Opposition parties should calm down and think about Taiwan’s future,” he said.

Ma Visits Caucus

Ma appeared in person at the KMT caucus meeting yesterday in a last-minute effort to mobilize party votes.

If the beef amendments do not pass, “the U.S. will believe that Taiwan’s commitment to trade liberalization and internationalization is only empty talk,” said Ma to the caucus.

“When you cast the ballot, you’re not just supporting Ma Ying-jeou and you’re not just supporting the KMT. You’re supporting the future of Taiwan,” he said

“I honestly — and very, very sincerely — hope that everyone supports our party and guides Taiwan toward a more open and free  future. That’s the main force that will push the people’s votes to us in the future,” he said.

Wu Yu-sheng said yesterday that there are now fewer than three KMT lawmakers who don’t stand behind the amendments.

If the amendments come to a vote, the KMT caucus has confidence that the passage would be “absolutely beautiful,” with over 63 votes in favor of the proposed amendments, said Wu. <The China Post>

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