Taiwan will for the first time send officials to conduct on-site inspections of U.S. meatpacking facilities that produce beef for export to Taiwan , Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang said. Yaung said the move, slated for August or September, is to be taken to ensure that all U.S. beef exports are adequately labeled, as required by the country's regulations.
"Five to 10 slaughterhouses or packing facilities in the United States will be inspected by Taiwanese officials this time," said Yaung. "The examination procedures and customs clearance will be able to become faster after the labeling problems are addressed," the minister added.
Taiwan last year agreed to lift a ban on U.S. bone-in beef and certain other beef products that had been in place since a case of mad cow disease in the United States in 2005. Amid public concern over perceived health risks, the Taiwanese government in January barred the import of U.S. ground beef, offal and internal organs. Since then, there has been some confusion over what products are permitted, with an application to import cattle tongues authorized but then rescinded in April.
In May, Taiwanese officials approved an application to import a shipment of cattle tendons subject to a series of strict safety checks. This was the first time the product had been allowed into the country since 2003.
