Taiwan outlines beef-import rules
By John Maday
| Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Taiwan’s Department of Health this week announced quarantine and inspection measures for importers, including requirements for companies to obtain government permits to import U.S. beef. The government issued the rules in the face of a public outcry after Taiwan’s decision earlier this month to allow imports of bone-in beef, ground beef and other U.S. beef products formerly banned due to BSE concerns.
According to the Taiwan News, the country’s Department of Health will only allow imports of beef and beef products from cattle younger than 30 months raised in countries that are listed by the World Organization for Animal Health as risk-controlled for BSE.
The products tonsils and other “specific risk materials” removed before they are shipped to Taiwan. Importers of U.S. ground beef, offal, brains, eyes, spinal cords and skulls must apply for an import permit from the trade authorities, and importers must display a quarantine certificate issued by the exporting country for the products, an import permit and a sanitation certificate before the can clear customs.
Read the Taiwan News article.
