US 'deeply disappointed' by Taiwan beef ban
Thursday, 7 January 2010
WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (AFP): US officials expressed dismay Tuesday after Taiwan's parliament resumed a ban on certain US beef imports over fears about mad cow disease.
"We are deeply disappointed with the decision by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to amend the Food Sanitation Act to unjustifiably bar the import of certain US beef and beef products," said a joint statement by US officials.
Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and US Agriculture Undersecretary Jim Miller said the new measures by Taiwan "do not have a basis in science and constitute a unilateral violation of a bilateral agreement concluded in good faith by the United States with Taiwan a little over two months ago."
They said that findings of Taiwan's own studies "concluded that all US beef and beef products are safe."
The statement added that the 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 State Department also expressed disappointment over the parliament's action but a spokesman said the United States remained committed "to further developing our broad-ranging and positive relationship with the people of Taiwan."
The reaction came after Taiwan lawmakers unanimously passed an amendment to the food health law banning imports of cow organs, minced beef and other items seen as high-risk, such as spines and eyes.
"We are deeply disappointed with the decision by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to amend the Food Sanitation Act to unjustifiably bar the import of certain US beef and beef products," said a joint statement by US officials.
Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and US Agriculture Undersecretary Jim Miller said the new measures by Taiwan "do not have a basis in science and constitute a unilateral violation of a bilateral agreement concluded in good faith by the United States with Taiwan a little over two months ago."
They said that findings of Taiwan's own studies "concluded that all US beef and beef products are safe."
The statement added that the 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 State Department also expressed disappointment over the parliament's action but a spokesman said the United States remained committed "to further developing our broad-ranging and positive relationship with the people of Taiwan."
The reaction came after Taiwan lawmakers unanimously passed an amendment to the food health law banning imports of cow organs, minced beef and other items seen as high-risk, such as spines and eyes.