Taiwan reopens borders to U.S. beef imports

Taiwan reopens borders to U.S. beef imports    The Taiwanese government said it will lift a ban against U.S. boneless beef imports from cattle under 30 months of age, effective April 16.
   Taiwan closed its borders to U.S. beef after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the discovery of a cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease, on Dec. 23, 2003.
   In 2003, the United States exported more than $76 million in beef products to Taiwan, with boneless beef accounting for $56 million. According to the USDA, Taiwan’s market is now open to more than 90 percent of total U.S. meat products, valued at $325 million in 2003.
   Japan, another top Asian importer of U.S. beef, has yet to resume trade in this commodity with the United States. “Our goal is the resumption of normal beef trade throughout the world and we are working tirelessly to that end,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in a statement Thursday.