Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/30/09

Taiwan will send a team to the United States to explain its legislature's recent move to re-impose a ban on certain U.S. beef imports, according to a report by the Central News Agency quoting a presidential spokesman.

The country's president reportedly called a meeting in response to a proposed legislative amendment that would abrogate a beef pact forged with the United States in October.

President Ma Ying-jeou said the delegation should depart immediately to mitigate the impact of the lawmakers' action on Taiwan-U.S. relations, the spokesman said.

"The team will depart for the US next week at the latest," he said.
A group consisting of legislators, scholars and representatives of civic groups and consumers also will visit the United States. On the itinerary will be on-site visits to beef plants in an effort to allay domestic fears over the safety of U.S. beef, the report said.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA called Tawain's move an abrogation of the previous protocol and cautioned that Taiwan should take into account its reputation as a reliable trade partner and responsible member of the international community.

The Central News report quotes a Presidential Office official saying Taiwan's government is willing to fulifill its international commitments, but noted the proposed ban is the reflects public will and was the result of a democratic process. "We hope the United States will respect the decision," he said.

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