Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 6/7/10

Taiwan for the first time will send officials to conduct on-site inspections of U.S. meat packers that export beef to Taiwan, Focus Taiwan News quoted Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang as saying Sunday at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting in Japan.

Yaung said the officials will inspect five to 10 slaughterhouses or packing facilities in August or September to ensure that U.S. beef exports are adequately labeled in compliance with Taiwanese regulations.

"The examination procedures and customs clearance will be able to become faster after the labeling problems are addressed," Yang was quoted as saying.

In April, Taiwan took another incremental step toward full reopening its market to U.S. beef by allowing imports of selected categories of U.S. beef offal.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.