RSS
KOLN-TV: Sen. Nelson: Russia Must Continue to Remove Barriers to Free Trade
Nelson In Omaha: Russia Must Continue To Remove Barriers To Free Trade
Nelson Posts Online Details About Keystone Pipeline Public Hearings In Nebraska
Trade Agreements Boost Nebraska Jobs
Read More > >
October 23, 2009 – Working to open overseas markets to Nebraska beef producers, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson applauded yesterday’s signing of a new US-Taiwan Beef Protocol that permits sale of US bone-in beef under 30 months old to Taiwan for the first time since 2003. Nelson received the news in a call from the Representative of Taiwan to the U.S. yesterday.
“This announcement is great news for Nebraska’s beef producers,” said Nelson. “The relaxing of trade restrictions will allow beef producers to expand their presence in a lucrative overseas market. The government of Taiwan’s decision to drop its ban on 30 month bone-in beef is a welcome next step as we work to eliminate restrictions on beef over 30 months in negotiations to come.”
Nelson has been a strong advocate for the ending of Taiwan’s trade restrictions on U.S. beef. Most recently, Nelson met with the Representative of Taiwan to the U.S., Jason Yuan, in both July and September of this year to discuss opening up Taiwan’s market to Nebraska producers.
In 2003, Taiwan banned the import of all U.S. beef products after the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was detected. In April 2005, Taiwan partially lifted the ban to allow imports of boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old, but reinstated it only two months later after the U.S. found a new BSE case. The following year, Taiwan relaxed the ban again, allowing boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old, but produced by certified slaughterhouses.
Despite these restrictions, U.S. beef imports have been increasing over the years. In 2008, import of U.S. beef to Taiwan amounted to a record $136 million despite the restrictions on bone-in beef. At present, the U.S. supplies around 32 percent of Taiwan’s beef, which will likely increase with the acceptance of the new protocol.
###
Search: Rural Affairs, Agriculture, Farmers and Ranchers, Trade, Press