Wu has U.S. beef doubts

A much larger and extensive demonstration is under organization. DPP officials expressed the concern that government agencies' existing monitoring and inspection mechanism as well as the so-called “second tier” self-managed measures planned by local administrations or beef traders are insufficient in blocking the inroads of U.S. beef viscera.

Ma claimed the terms in the new beef accord should be adequate to safeguard the people's health.

But there in no need to harm the nation's international credibility to reopen trade consultations, especially after importers and retailers plan to implement accompanying precaution measures for the sake of their customers, Ma said.

Christopher R. Kavanaugh, spokesman at the Taipei Office of the Washington-based American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), reaffirmed that the beef trade between the U.S. and Taiwan will be carried out in accordance with the terms in the new beef trade pact.

He stressed that American beef products have been cleared by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as safe to consume.

Kavanaugh made no comments on the protest movements led by the DPP and consumers organizations or the preventive self-management measures adopted by the growing number of local municipal or county governments and some importers group.

Meanwhile, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang clarified at the legislative meeting that the nation gained nothing from its consent to easing U.S. beef imports during the latest round of talks.

There were no other terms or conditions attached to the deal, although he expects the deal to have more positive effects on future bilateral activities and negotiations, including the stalled talks on the trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA), Shih told the legislators.

The Cabinet-level DOH announced on Oct. 23 that Taiwan would expand market access for U.S. beef after officials of the two countries clinched an accord the previous day in Washington, D.C., to lift a ban on certain beef products.

Under the terms of the new accord, U.S. bone-in beef, ground beef, intestines, brains, spinal cords and processed beef from cattle younger than 30 months that have not been contaminated with “specific risk materials” will be allowed to enter Taiwan starting on Nov. 10.

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