Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 10/23/09

U.S. beef industry officials said Thursday they will take an incremental approach to achieving full market access in Taiwan after its government announced a new import protocol that ostensibly will allow the full range of U.S. beef products. Taiwan currently limits U.S. beef imports to boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months of age.

The new protocol, expected to take effect Nov. 1, includes a transitional stage in which Taiwan will allow U.S. bone-in, boneless and variety cuts derived from cattle younger than 30 months of age, U.S. Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele told Meatingplace. After 180 days of the transitional period, the two countries are expected to consult on what to do next, which could include expanding to full access, he said.

"While U.S. exporters are confident that all beef and beef products produced in the United States are safe regardless of age, the U.S. beef exporting industry is prepared to temporarily limit beef exports to Taiwan to products from cattle less than 30 months of age under a program verified by USDA as a transitional measure to ensure an orderly expansion to a full market opening," the American Meat Institute, National Meat Association and USMEF said in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Upon request from the industry, USDA has established an age-verification Quality System Assessment program to facilitate compliance with Taiwan's protocol.

"U.S. beef exporters are committed to being responsible participants and stakeholders in Taiwan's marketplace," the trade associations wrote.

Taiwan bought $128 million worth of U.S. beef in 2008.

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