Although newly imported US beef has passed initial inspections, the Department of Health (DOH) said over the weekend that it would consider resuming the ban on US beef imports should major violations of health requirements occur.
The DOH made the announcement after the arrival of the first 7,000kg load of US beef at the CKS International Airport on Saturday.
DOH minister Hou Sheng-mou (
Xiao Dong-ming (
Xiao added that the DOH would halt importations from specific slaughterhouses and packaging centers if they were found to be the sources of problematic or contaminated beef.
"If serious violations of the import agreement appear, the department is likely to resume the ban on US beef," Xiao said.
The DOH has also notified health bureaus in counties and towns to inform supermarkets and hypermarkets about setting up special sections to display US beef products. They are required to present clear labels on the products specifying where the beef was produced and processed. Restaurant owners are also asked to identify the sources of their beef on their menus.
Xiao said more shipments of US beef are expected to arrive in a month. The Ministry, he said, will continue to trace the beef after it officially enters the market next week.
As the DOH has yet to complete its inspections of pesticide residues and viruses, the 7,000kg of US beef will probably hit the market either today or tomorrow.
The new policy on US beef imports has generated mixed responses among customers and restaurants. According to some local news reports, hypermarkets have started receiving phone calls inquiring about the availability of US beef.
Some customers, however, still lack confidence in the new policy.
"The government seems to have resumed imports hastily without giving itself adequate time to monitor the products," said Hannah Tsai, a regular beef consumer. "I am not particularly looking forward to [the arrival of the US beef]."
Grand Formosa Regent, the restaurant that obtained the first load of beef products last year, only purchased 100kg from the wholesalers this year. It plans to present dishes using US beef as Valentine's Day specials.
Since the US confirmed the first case of mad cow disease in December 2003, Taiwan has banned US beef imports on two occasions.
Taiwan agreed to resume importing US beef on condition that it must be sourced from cattle that are 30 months of age and be raised and slaughtered in the US. Bones and risky body parts -- such as brains, scalps, eyes, spines and small intestines -- have to be removed before the beef is exported.
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