April 2, 2012

Beef store to open in southern Taiwan

In response to a government call for consumption of local produce amid the recent dispute over US beef imports, a store will open in Yunlin County, southern Taiwan, which will exclusively sell Taiwanese beef, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said Friday (Mar 30).

The store, located in the county's Douliou City, has been set up by a beef production and marketing group in nearby Dounan Township, according to the COA.

The council said it has been promoting local beef as Taiwan bans imports of beef from several countries because of concern over mad cow disease and the recent controversy of the banned leanness-enhancing drug ractopamine that is used as a feed additive for cow in the United States.

COA officials assured the public that the animals are slaughtered humanely and that the safety of the beef is checked by on-site veterinarians.

They also pointed out that local beef has fewer food miles - the distance the produce has to travel from where it was raised to where it is sold - and is therefore more environmentally friendly.

Besides fresh Taiwanese beef, the council said beef dishes are also available at an in-store restaurant.