Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 10/30/09

Taiwan officials said Thursday the government's animal health inspection bureau will deploy officials to the United States to examine the quality of U.S. beef to be exported to Taiwan, according to Asian media reports.

Inspectors reportedly will carry out regular checks of U.S. slaughterhouses and other meat plants who sell beef and beef products to Taiwan in order to ensure those products are devoid of bacterial or viral contamination.

The bureau said one of its staff members already stationed in the United States is a veterinarian qualified to conduct safety checks on U.S. beef before it is exported to Taiwan. That veterinarian has been instructed to report back to Taiwan any violations of a new trade protocol between the two countries. 

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