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Taiwan Moves Towards Resuming U.S. Beef Imports

Taiwan has agreed in principle to resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products, which were suspended in December 2003 due to food safety concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says.

In an October 26 news release, USDA said Taiwanese officials would travel to the United States in November to inspect improved U.S. safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad-cow disease.

Taiwan suspended U.S. beef imports following the discovery in Washington State of a single BSE-infected cow. Taiwan officials have indicated that they are close to completing the reviews necessary for resuming trade, with on-site inspections as the final step in the process, USDA said.

In 2003, Taiwan purchased $325 million of U.S. beef and beef products, USDA said.

On October 23 the United States and Japan said they had agreed to a partial resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan, which were also suspended in late 2003.

Following is the text of the USDA news release:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of Public Affairs

USDA ANNOUNCES TAIWAN TO RESUME U.S. BEEF TRADE

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, Oct. 26, 2004 - Taiwan has agreed in principle to resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products, U.S. officials announced today. In 2003, Taiwan's purchases of beef and ruminant products amounted to some $325 million.

"We are very pleased with this progress in yet another important beef market," Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said. "We are continuing our market opening efforts in the remaining key countries. Our goal is a return to normal beef trade as quickly as possible."

Taiwan officials indicated that the required assessments and evaluations for trade to resume were nearing completion. The final step is on-site inspection of the major features and implementation of the U.S. BSE [bovine spongiform encephalopathy] measures.

A delegation of Taiwan experts will now travel to the United States for these site visits beginning Nov. 10.

Dr. J. B. Penn, under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, led a delegation that met with Taiwanese Health and Agriculture officials early this week. The delegation had also earlier held discussions in Japan and will visit other U.S. customer countries in the Asian region.