New rules for U.S. beef imports: DOH

Despite repeated assurance from U.S. officials about the safety of U.S. beef products about the concern over possibly catching bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, consumers group and the lawmakers show now signs of ending protest against U.S. products.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party demanded government clarification concerning a report that the government will consider further relaxing the import restrictions in the future, including removing the requirement that the beef products have to come from cattle younger than 30 months.

A Cabinet spokesman denied the allegation.

The DPP is also helping organizations to win consumers' support to pressure the government to reopen the trade talks on beef import with the U.S.

Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said in an interview that the government should honor its commitment in reaching the deal with the U.S.

Renegotiating with the U.S. could exclude many other nations from engaging in talks with the nation, Yang said.

To counter the opposition sentiments here, the Taiwan office of the U.S. Meat Export Association issued a public letter to Taiwan consumers stressing American meat suppliers' commitment to quality and safety control.

While reemphasizing the confidence in safety of U.S. beef products on behalf of cattle raisers in 50 U.S. states, the association said it fully supports the government's measures of stringent inspection of products for consumers' health as well as other steps like putting stickers showing the origin of product sources by stores and restaurants.

The group is also launching a campaign to distribute the association's own product logos on the Taiwan market in a bid to promote the U.S. beef products, which amounted to 27,000 metric tons in local market in 2008.

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email