Ma thanks speaker, caucus for amendment

According to a KMT member, Ma received a note from a colleague at approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday during the aforementioned meeting; after reading the note, Ma announced the success of the amendments and expressed his gratitude to the legislative caucus and the speaker of the Legislative Yuan, drawing applause from members of the committee.

Ma also said yesterday that the administration will approach the U.S. government to resume talks on the long-stalled Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), adding that “(Taiwan) cannot wait any longer.”

With the resolution of the U.S. beef issue, the president said, Taiwan will be able to break away from the dangers of economic marginalization.

Presidential Office spokesman Fang Chiang Tai-chi (范姜泰基) quoted the president as saying that the resumption of TIFA talks will improve Taiwan's chances of entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership, leading to a better environment for trade negotiations with other countries.

Fang Chiang also said that the administration will uphold the principles of setting a safety limit for ractopamine residue, treating pork and beef products separately, imposing mandatory labeling on beef products containing ractopamine and excluding bovine offal.

The spokesman also said if there is any evidence that proves the danger of ractopamine residue in beef with respect to human consumption, the government will immediately halt imports of U.S. beef, and assist victims in requesting for compensation.

In related news, the president also stressed the importance of public health during the KMT Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday, reiterating that the government plans to open up 50 sports centers across the island to promote national fitness.

Ma explained that the number of people who exercise regularly in Taiwan has increased to 27.6 percent, adding that there is still room for improvement. “The definition of regular exercise,” Ma clarified, “is three times a week and at least half an hour per session.”

“During my tenure as Taipei mayor, I set up 12 sports centers in the city ... (and most) sports centers record (at least) one million admissions every month,” Ma said, attesting to the popularity of the gyms.

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