Lawmakers begin second reading of bill

Melamine, a highly toxic chemical, was added to milk powder produced in China, where at least four children were killed after they had been fed with contaminated baby formula.

The tainted milk powder found its way to Taiwan, where people panicked in a food scare. Importers and distributors have lost sales totaling billions of dollars.

Another bill, sponsored by the opposition party, was also deliberated on. If adopted, it would allow “China free” marks to be shown with foods imported from other countries.

The reading started with the consent of the Kuomintang, which controls a nearly three-fourths majority in the Legislative Yuan.

Lawmaker Lin Yih-shih, Kuomintang legislative caucus whip, said the ruling party does not oppose the two bills. “But,” he added, “the Executive Yuan has to study them closely to find if it is too hard to enforce the two when they are enacted.”

William Lai, DPP legislative caucus deputy whip, said the opposition party wants compensation paid in Taiwan and hopes the administration would recoup it from China.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email