Taiwan consumers take to the streets over US beef imports

In a scene reminiscence of the US beef protest in South Korea last year, thousands of demonstrators in Taiwan marched through capital Taipei on Saturday (Nov 14) to protest against resuming the imports of US bone-in beef over fears of the mad cow disease.

Taiwan last month decided to lift a ban on US bone-in beef and cow organs, a decision that has riled sections of the population.

The government must renegotiate with the US to safeguard public health, said Tsai Ing-wen, who led the march.

She said Taiwan cannot allow more imports before further negotiations.

The government faces accusations that it is bowing to US pressure, and its standards are too low that public health is at risk.

President Ma Ying-jeou recently said that Taiwan is not pandering to the US by allowing imports of US bone-in beef products.

He said there were no trade-offs in the deal and public health is a top priority.