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Taiwan may follow Japan in reopening its market to U.S. beef.
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In late December 2003, Taiwan, along with Japan and a number of other countries, closed their domestic markets to U.S. beef after a cow in the state of Washington was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Japan insisted that the United States test all cattle presented for slaughter for BSE before it reopened its market. However, last week, the United States and Japan reached an agreement whereby only beef from cattle less than 20 months of age will be shipped to Japan.
Now it seems like Taiwan will also reopen its markets to U.S. beef. “Taiwan has agreed in principle to resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products,” USDA announced yesterday. In 2003, Taiwan's purchases of beef and other ruminant products amounted to approximately $325 million.
“We are very pleased with this progress in yet another important beef market,” USDA Secretary Ann Veneman said after the announcement. “We are continuing our market opening efforts in the remaining key countries. Our goal is a return to normal beef trade as quickly as possible." Taiwan officials indicated that the required assessments and evaluations for trade to resume were nearing completion. The final step is on-site inspection of the major features and implementation of the U.S. BSE measures.”
A delegation of Taiwan experts will now travel to the United States for site visits beginning November 10. Dr. J. B. Penn, USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, led a delegation that met with Taiwanese Health and Agriculture officials early this week. The delegation had also earlier held discussions in Japan and will visit other U.S. customer countries in the Asian region.
Taiwan may follow Japan in reopening its market to U.S. beef.
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In late December 2003, Taiwan, along with Japan and a number of other countries, closed their domestic markets to U.S. beef after a cow in the state of Washington was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Japan insisted that the United States test all cattle presented for slaughter for BSE before it reopened its market. However, last week, the United States and Japan reached an agreement whereby only beef from cattle less than 20 months of age will be shipped to Japan.
Now it seems like Taiwan will also reopen its markets to U.S. beef. “Taiwan has agreed in principle to resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products,” USDA announced yesterday. In 2003, Taiwan's purchases of beef and other ruminant products amounted to approximately $325 million.
“We are very pleased with this progress in yet another important beef market,” USDA Secretary Ann Veneman said after the announcement. “We are continuing our market opening efforts in the remaining key countries. Our goal is a return to normal beef trade as quickly as possible." Taiwan officials indicated that the required assessments and evaluations for trade to resume were nearing completion. The final step is on-site inspection of the major features and implementation of the U.S. BSE measures.”
A delegation of Taiwan experts will now travel to the United States for site visits beginning November 10. Dr. J. B. Penn, USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, led a delegation that met with Taiwanese Health and Agriculture officials early this week. The delegation had also earlier held discussions in Japan and will visit other U.S. customer countries in the Asian region.
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