Fists and pig guts fly in Taiwan parliament

Since the latest session of parliament began in mid-September, the KMT had blocked Premier Su Tseng-chang from delivering regular reports and taking questions by occupying the podium where he speaks, to protest against the pork decision. As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a particularly vicious encounter between KMT party whip Lin Wei-chou and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party.

President Tsai Ing-wen announced in August that the government would, from January 1, allow imports of U.S. pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and China, as well as U.S. beef more than 30 months old. While welcomed in Washington, and removing a roadblock to a long sought after U.S. free trade deal for Taiwan, the KMT has strongly opposed the decision, tapping into public concern about food safety after several high-profile scandals in recent years.

The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that "stank up" the parliament floor and was "disgusting". Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in Taiwan's parliament.