Changhua Animal Control Station blacklists those who illegally use clenbuterol

It is rumored that domestic pig farmers are also suspected of using extremely high levels of clenbuterol, which has spread from imported American beef to local live pigs, immediately impacting consumer confidence. The Changhua County Animal Quarantine Station has first targeted more than 20 pig farms that had illegally used clenbuterol and put them on the blacklist. The originally depressed live pig prices continued to fall. In order to maintain the safety of meat products, personnel have been sent to carry out intensified inspections, hoping that there will be no problems with the pork products on the market and to restore consumer confidence.

The Animal Quarantine Service has targeted blacklisted pig farms that had illegally used clenbuterol and has dispatched personnel to conduct intensified inspections. (Photo provided by Changhua County Animal Quarantine Station)

The renewed controversy over the negotiations to lift the beef ban has caused a huge backlash from the domestic pig and cattle farming industries, with protests taking to the streets. It is rumored that many domestic pig farmers are also suspected of abusing clenbuterol, with the content more than a thousand times higher than that of American beef. Regardless of whether it is really extremely high or an isolated case, it has immediately impacted consumer confidence, causing the already sluggish live pig prices in the producing areas to continue to fall, and is close to falling below the 500 yuan mark per 100 kilograms.

Guo Chouzhe, director of the Animal Quarantine Institute, said that in order to prevent the continued spread of ractopamine-laced American beef to local pork products and to maintain the safety of meat products, the first wave of inspections will target more than 20 pig farms in the county that have illegally used ractopamine and are on the blacklist. He also emphasized that he hopes that all pork products on the market will be free of problems in order to restore consumer confidence.

The Changhua County Agriculture Department stated that it will continue to promote the policy of "Changhua Healthy Pork Products" and will strengthen the "rolling" inspection of each pig farm to support the live pig industry. Deputy Director Lin Guoji said that all pig farmers must notify the Animal Protection Station and the meat market one week before selling their pigs to go and inspect them to ensure that they do not contain clenbuterol before they can be auctioned. If used illegally, severe penalties will be imposed!

Guo Chouzhe said: The policy of promoting the new brand of "Changhua Healthy Pork" has resulted in more than 80% to 90% of pig farmers being highly self-disciplined and cooperating. Over the past five years, they have actively promoted the ban on clenbuterol and paid attention to the safety of drug use and residue issues. We hope that consumers will also join in the efforts to check, and if they find any problematic meat products, they are welcome to report them to the agricultural and health authorities.