November 15, 2004

Taiwan Set To Resume Canada Beef Trade

Taiwan has confirmed its intention to conditionally grant Canada access for boneless beef exports to that country, according to a release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Andy Mitchell.
 
However, the release said, Taiwan will first send a technical team for a first-hand look at Canada's food safety and animal health measures.
 
"The continued progress being made in Asia is extremely positive for the Canadian beef industry," said Mitchell in the release. "It is a reflection of the intense efforts and ongoing discussions taking place to reinforce the stringent measures we have in place to ensure the safety of our beef."
 
As part of the process of market-opening, inspectors from Taiwan will visit Canada to tour packing plants, a slaughterhouse, a feed mill, a cattle ranch and a testing facility conducting BSE surveillance, the release said. They also will receive an on-site explanation of Canada's cattle identification system, the release said.
 
Prior to Taiwan's ban on imports of Canadian beef, Taiwan was Canada's fifth-largest export market for beef and one of its fastest-growing markets. In 2002, Canadian beef exports to Taiwan totaled almost C$20 million.
 
The planned visit by Taiwanese inspectors follows a similar inspection mission conducted by Hong Kong officials in late October as part of their process to reconsider their current import restrictions. Hong Kong officials are reviewing results of that mission, the release said.