Taiwan reverses lifting of partial US beef ban
Source: Agencies |
January 6, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TAIWAN has reinstated a ban on imports of some United States beef over concerns about mad cow disease, reversing an earlier deal the government had negotiated with Washington.
The ban on US ground beef and offal reflects public concern that Taiwanese health officials lack sufficient safeguards to prevent mad cow disease. Mad cow disease is a brain-wasting disease in cattle, which in humans can cause a variant form, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
While the US voiced its disappointment with the move, it is unlikely to have serious consequences for relations between the sides.
The American Institute in Taiwan yesterday said the move "undermines Taiwan's credibility as a responsible trading partner. The US deeply regrets the decision to restrict US beef imports."
Taiwan purchased US$128 million in beef products from the US in 2008. In 2002 - the last full year that the banned items were sold on the island - they constituted about 13 percent of total US beef imports.
Long-running negotiations between the sides to drop the partial US beef ban were concluded in October. Influential congressional representatives from beef-producing states had pressed Taiwan to allow all kinds of US beef to enter the island.
The US has consistently argued that its beef exports are safe.
The ban on US ground beef and offal reflects public concern that Taiwanese health officials lack sufficient safeguards to prevent mad cow disease. Mad cow disease is a brain-wasting disease in cattle, which in humans can cause a variant form, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
While the US voiced its disappointment with the move, it is unlikely to have serious consequences for relations between the sides.
The American Institute in Taiwan yesterday said the move "undermines Taiwan's credibility as a responsible trading partner. The US deeply regrets the decision to restrict US beef imports."
Taiwan purchased US$128 million in beef products from the US in 2008. In 2002 - the last full year that the banned items were sold on the island - they constituted about 13 percent of total US beef imports.
Long-running negotiations between the sides to drop the partial US beef ban were concluded in October. Influential congressional representatives from beef-producing states had pressed Taiwan to allow all kinds of US beef to enter the island.
The US has consistently argued that its beef exports are safe.
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