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Taiwan To Lift Ban on U.S. Boneless Beef, Agriculture Dept. Says

Taiwan is lifting its ban on U.S. boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age effective April 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says.

"This action demonstrates Taiwan's commitment to trade in beef and beef products based on internationally accepted scientific standards for human and animal health," Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said in an April 7 USDA press release.

Taiwan had suspended imports of all U.S. beef and beef products in December 2003 after a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, often called mad cow disease) was discovered in a cow imported from Canada to the United States.

Following is the press release:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Release No. 0120.05

Contact:
Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
Donald Washington (202) 720-3101

TAIWAN REOPENS MARKET FOR U.S. BEEF PRODUCTS

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2005 -The USDA today announced that Taiwan is lifting its ban on U.S. boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age effective April 16, 2005.

"We are very pleased with this development because it is further significant progress in our efforts to reopen global markets for U.S. beef," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. "This action demonstrates Taiwan's commitment to trade in beef and beef products based on internationally accepted scientific standards for human and animal health. Our goal is the resumption of normal beef trade throughout the world and we are working tirelessly to that end."

In 2003, the United States exported more than $76 million worth of beef to Taiwan, with boneless beef products accounting for $56 million. As a result of this action, Taiwan's market is now open to more than 90 percent of total U.S. ruminant and ruminant products whose value had reached $325 million in 2003.