August 5, 2005

Taiwan will not lift US beef import ban immediately

Taiwan's government said it would not lift the ban on US beef imports immediately, despite reports that final tests on a third suspected case of mad cow disease in the US turned up negative.

Meanwhile, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) had revised regulations earlier this year, stating that all boneless beef, including those from countries affected by BSE, should not be subjected to trade restrictions.

In response, Taiwan's government said the US should respect the hygiene inspections set by each beef importing country, and that an expert committee would be formed to monitor future US beef imports. The government would also consider data from relevant academic institutions.