February 19, 2011

Taiwan rejects US warning on beef restrictions

Taiwan said on Friday (Feb 18) that it will not give up restrictions it imposes on imported beef, after a warning by US lawmakers that the issue could cripple free trade talks.

Taiwan pulled shipments of US beef from store shelves last month after they were found to contain a drug, Paylean, used to promote leanness in animals raised for meat.

"The restrictions are in place in accordance with the laws to protect public health and they are not aimed at the US. We will continue to enforce the regulations," said Wang Jet-chau, a spokesman for the health department.

Taiwan, China, and the EU restrict Paylean because of possible human health risks associated with the ingredient ractopamine, but 26 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and Brazil, have declared the product safe.

Top US lawmakers on Thursday (Feb 17) urged Taiwan to roll back what they branded as unscientific restrictions on US beef exports and warned of "serious negative consequences" for bilateral trade.

Beef exports from the US - Taiwan's main source - have ground to a halt, the lawmakers said, warning that Taiwan's scientifically unjustified policy was also hurting sales of US pork.