More than 10 years after an Alberta cow died of Bovine
Spongiform Encepthalopathy (BSE, or mad cow’s disease) Taiwan has finally
agreed to allow Canadian beef into its market.
Before the BSE-based import ban, Taiwan was importing about
$20 million worth of beef per year from Canada. It was Canada’s fifth-largest
beef export market.
Meanwhile, talks are still underway with South Korea which
also banned Canadian beef in May, 2003.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said he welcomes
Taiwan’s science-based decision to allow imports to resume.
“Our industry is very well positioned to take advantage of this expanded
access, said Chuck Maclean, chairman of Canada Beef.
“The federal government has been working tirelessly to provide market
access and we are ready to turn this into value for Canadian beef and veal
producers," Maclean said.
