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Updated Friday, December 25, 2009 9:35 am TWN, The China Post news staff



	Secretary general Su Chi of the National Security Council yesterday urged lawmakers and the public not to demand renewing talks with the U.S. on beef imports, lest Taiwan's ties with the U.S. and international credibility should be undermined. (CNA) Enlarge Photo

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Reneging on beef might erode U.S. support: Su Chi

Ruling and opposition lawmakers have both proposed their versions of the draft amendments to the Act Governing Food Sanitation in face of growing pressure from the public. They may reach a consensus on Dec. 29.

Su also clarified yesterday that Taiwan and the U.S. could hold a meeting to review the beef import agreement 'within,' not 'in,' 180 days after Taiwan's government decided to allow U. S. beef products into the island, as stipulated in the pact. But Su did not elaborate on that.

Also yesterday, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang said that Taiwan should not break its promise after signing an international agreement, as doing so will undermine its international credibility.

“As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan should not categorically take back its promise after signing a deal,” he said.

The Consumers' Foundation and civic groups have launched bids to initiate a referendum to ask the government to renegotiate the U.S. beef protocol.

Critics of the protocol cited South Korea as an example, saying the country had renegotiated a similar deal with the U.S. after facing strong pressure from the public.

But Yang noted that at present, 50 countries allow U.S. beef imports, including Canada, European Union countries, South Korea and the Philippines, which impose no limits on such imports.

In contrast, Taiwan only gave the green light to beef from cattle under 30 months old and those with removed risk materials, which assures a higher level of safety, Yang stressed.

The U.S. is Taiwan's largest source of beef supply in terms of market value, according to Yang. U.S. boneless beef accounted for 38 percent, or US$128 million, of Taiwan's entire beef market valued at US$360 million in 2008.

Taiwan is the sixth largest export market for U.S. beef and beef products, behind Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, according to Yang.

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