The Chairman of Taiwan's Council of Agriculture, Chen Jizhong, has cautioned against a proposed referendum on banning Lebanese pig imports, warning it could harm Taiwan's economic and trade prospects, particularly in its CPTPP negotiations. He argued that the referendum goes beyond food safety and is a matter of national survival, as it challenges international standards on pork imports, which are accepted by most CPTPP member countries, including Taiwan. Additionally, he called for a professional and scientific approach to resolving issues with China's import ban on Taiwanese fruits and expressed hope for a detailed response during a forthcoming WHO food safety meeting.