December 29, 2011

US plans beef import discussions with Taiwan after election

US officials will discuss beef import restrictions with Taiwan after the presidential election on January 14.

Focus Taiwan reports past issues with US beef have been a reason the two countries have not discussed trade agreements under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement since 2007. Chen Li-kuo, deputy director of the ministry's Department of North American Affairs, said consumer perception of the safety of US beef is key in negotiating restrictions.

Part of the Act Governing Food Safety prevents Taiwan from accepting beef products from countries where cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have been reported.