KMT lawmakers seek interpretation over irrigation issue
By Wu Cheng-feng and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
A group of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers yesterday sought a constitutional interpretation over the government’s move to nationalize irrigation associations.
The Legislative Yuan in July last year passed the Act of Irrigation (農田水利法) that converted 17 irrigation associations nationwide into a government body.
The Council of Agriculture in October last year inaugurated the Agency of Irrigation to oversee the associations, whose assets are valued at about NT$75.6 billion (US$2.67 billion).
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Alex Fai, front row, fifth right, and members of a group opposing the nationalization of the nation’s irrigation associations protest outside the Judicial Yuan in Taipei yesterday.
Aborigines and supporters hold placards outside the Judicial Yuan in Taipei yesterday to show support for Bunun hunter Tama Talum, also known as Wang Kuang-lu, who was convicted for killing wild animals in 2013. The Council of Grand Justices is to review Talum’s case on Tuesday next week.
‘Chaotic’ local meat ordinances voided
‘NO MORE MESS’: Minister Without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng said that the nation must have unified food safety standards so that producers can comply with the regulations
By Lee Hsin-fang, Lo Chi and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporters, with staff writer
Local government ordinances banning meat products containing traces of ractopamine are nullified from today, while new rules are to be rejected, the Executive Yuan said yesterday, calling them unconstitutional and “chaotic.”
Since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Aug. 28 announced that the government would from today lift a ban on the importation of pork containing traces of ractopamine and beef from cattle more than 30 months old from the US, 17 local governments have passed autonomous ordinances requiring all pork to be certified as ractopamine-free.