American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Stephen Young told a press conference yesterday that Taiwan should fully open its market to US beef, but acknowledged that the possibility of the US government and Taiwan signing a free-trade agreement (FTA) was remote.
Young said the US was asking the Taiwanese government to make a “science-based decision” consistent with the tenets laid out by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), to allow the comprehensive no-strings attached import of US beef to Taiwan.
Since 2005, Taiwan has twice imposed a partial ban on the meat after two confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, were confirmed in the US. Currently, only bone-free beef from cattle under 30 months of age is allowed for sale in Taiwan.
Some medical research suggests consumption of BSE-tainted beef can lead to fatal brain disease in humans.
The government has been reluctant to lift restrictions, citing a lack of public support on the issue.
Consumers Foundation chairman Hsieh Tien-jen (謝天仁) has repeatedly urged the government not to give in on the issue for the sake of public health.
“The US currently already supplies 32 percent of Taiwan’s beef. It is time for the [Taiwanese public] to enjoy access to the same range of US beef and beef products that US consumers eat and enjoy every day,” Young said, urging the Taiwanese government to also increase imports of US pork, rice, fruit and wheat.
Young did not sound optimistic about a Taiwan-US FTA, saying that the subject remained a bone of contention in the US Congress.
This year’s annual bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talk had yet to be scheduled, Young said, even though in July he mentioned the talks would be held in Taipei later this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US side has suspended talks on Taiwan-US trade issues until the beef dilemma is resolved.
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