June 16, 2023

Taiwan opens market to Canadian beef imports ahead of trade agreement

Taiwan has announced its decision to fully open its market to imports of Canadian beef, removing a longstanding hurdle as Taipei seeks to finalise a bilateral investment agreement with Ottawa later this year, Today Online reported.

 
The previous ban on imports of Canadian beef slaughtered more than 30 months earlier was in place due to concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.

 
Following a weekly meeting, Taiwan's cabinet issued a statement confirming its approval for the complete opening of beef imports from Canada. But the island's food and drug administration stated that six offal items, including brains and eyes, would remain banned due to safety concerns.

 
This decision comes after Taiwan lifted a similar 30-month-aged ban on US beef in 2021. Since Taiwan has limited beef production, it heavily relies on imports from countries like the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
 

Canada' had previously announced in May that its beef exporters would soon gain full access to the Taiwanese market, following discussions between top trade officials at an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. Concurrently, Taiwan has been engaged in negotiations with Canada for a bilateral investment agreement known as the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement.

 
John Deng, Taiwan's chief trade negotiator, expressed confidence earlier this month that the agreement would be signed within this year.

-      Today Online