Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/6/10

A day after reinstating a ban on certain U.S. beef parts, Taiwan said it wants to reopen talks with Washington on beef trade, according to a report by Reuters.

Taiwan said it will ask Washington when new negotiations can begin, the report said, quoting Taiwan's Government Information Office.

Taiwan's parliament amended a food safety law on Tuesday, effectively abrogating a new protocol the two countries agreed to late last October. The change barred imports of U.S. beef offal, ground beef and certain cattle parts deemed a risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. It kept in tact, however, U.S. bone-in beef.

It remains to be seen whether Washington will be eager to sit down Taipei, given that the former now doubts Taiwan's credibility as a trade partner.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Jim Miller said, "The decision by Taiwan authorities to place domestic politics over science raises serious concerns. This action will also undermine Taiwan's credibility as a responsible trading partner and will make it more challenging for us to conclude future agreements to expand and strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties."

The officials added: "In light of the continuing importance of our bilateral economic relationship, we urge Taiwan to honor its commitments and to implement the beef protocol as negotiated."

'Cast aside'

U.S. Meat Export Federation officials also expressed dismay over Taiwan's decision.

"The action taken by Taiwan's legislature is very disappointing and has no scientific basis whatsoever," USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said. "Before expanding beef trade with the United States in October of last year, Taiwan's best scientists determined the safety of U.S. beef through a thorough and extensive risk assessment. That effort has now been largely cast aside, as this policy shows no regard for OIE guidelines or the controlled risk status held by both the United States and Taiwan with regard to BSE."

USMEF notes, however, that boneless and bone-in muscle cuts from cattle younger than 30 months of age are not affected by Taiwan's actions. U.S. suppliers have voluntarily excluded ground beef and offal since the new trade deal was adopted in October. Existing orders for under-30 muscle cuts should not be disrupted, the group said.