Taiwan to open doors to Canadian bone-in beef as it eyes TPP

TAIPEI - Taiwan will soon allow imports of Canadian bone-in beef and other specified meat products from cattle under 30 months of age. Vice Economics Minister, Francis Liang, said the decision was made after a careful evaluation of the measure's possible impact on Taiwan's beef industry and food safety.

Taiwan banned beef imports from Canada in 2003 when mad cow disease case was confirmed there for the first time, lifting its ban on imports of Canadian boneless beef in 2007.

Liang said the expanded opening to Canadian beef is part of the government's efforts to boost trade and economic co-operation with Canada, one of the States currently involved in negotiations on a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.

Taiwan mainly relies on imports from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada for its domestic beef supply, and the new opening to Canadian beef could intensify competition among these foreign suppliers (ATI).