March 28, 2006

Taiwan says it will not ban US beef

Taiwan's Department of Health has rejected calls from some legislators to re-impose a ban on US beef. The department said that the third US case announced on Mar 14 does not raise safety concerns since the animal involved is born before a move to ban feed with animal parts was instituted. Such feed are believed to have caused mad cow disease.

Nevertheless, US beef sales in Taiwan have taken a hit after the third case was announced.

Beef imports into Taiwan reached 70,766 tonnes during 2005, a rise of 20 percent over 2004. This increase was caused by a 22 percent rise in imports of Australian beef, to 33,222 tonnes, and US imports amounting to 6,996 tonnes.

The resumption of US beef imports in 2005 saw exports of Australian beef to Taiwan return to 2003 levels. At the same time, the value of beef exports to Taiwan jumped 23 percent to US$111 million in 2005, the highest level since 1990.