January 26, 2010

Future talks on Canadian beef imports to be considered in Taiwan

Taiwan would have to handle any negotiations with Canada on lifting a ban on Canadian beef imports carefully, as the controversy over US beef is still raging.

Canada is seeking to reopen its beef exports to the Taiwanese market, however, due to the political storm over US beef imports, Canada is hesitant to discuss the issue at the moment, according to Harry Tseng, head of the North American affairs bureau under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tseng said Canada has not brought up the beef issue recently, adding that on the basis of the recent amendment to the Act Governing Food Sanitation, Taiwan would want to discuss the issue with Canada.

In comparison with the US beef trade issue, he said, the reopening of the Taiwan market to Canadian beef imports would be a "simpler issue" because the bilateral discussions would involve only bone-in beef. Ground beef and offal - beef parts that are considered at risk of spreading bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease - would not be included, he added.

Taiwan reopened its market to Canadian boneless beef in June 2007, almost four years after it imposed a ban when the first case of mad cow disease was reported in Canada.

Currently, import of Canadian boneless beef from cattle aged under 30 months is allowed in Taiwan.

According to the Australian Trade Commission, Australia holds the biggest market share of 46% in Taiwan for beef and beef products, while New Zealand ranks second with 27%, the US third with 17%, and Canada fourth with 2%.