US may create beef programme for exports to Taiwan

The US meat industry has sent a letter to USDA chief Tom Vilsack, suggesting the creation of an age-verification Quality System Assessment (QSA) Programme to facilitate beef exports to Taiwan.

The letter was in response to Taiwan's announcement that it would expand access to its market to permit imports of US beef and beef products consistent with OIE guidelines for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The US beef exporting industry is prepared to temporarily limit shipments to Taiwan to products from cattle less than 30 months of age under a programme verified by USDA as a transitional measure to ensure an orderly expansion to a full market opening, according to the letter.

The letter noted that USDA Agriculture Marketing Service is taking the steps necessary to establish the QSA programme.

Taiwan is expected to reopen its doors soon to imports of US bone-in beef, shredded beef, offal and other beef products, after Vice Premier Eric Chu made a public promise that consumers' health will be safeguarded. Minister of Health Yaung Chih-liang also said imports will be restricted to bone-in and boneless beef without SRMs and from cattle aged under 30 months.