TAIPEI: Although Taiwan is set to lift its restrictions on US beef imports on the basis of a recent protocol between the two sides, Taiwan importers are being turned off by costs and the complicated paperwork required for importing ground beef and offal from the United States.

The government's stricter administrative procedures, which have driven up the import costs of US ground beef and offal, coupled with public concerns over the safety of the products, have left Taiwanese meat importers reluctant to file for import permits.

The external trade department under the economic affairs authorities has proposed stricter measures to monitor the three main links in the beef supply chain, namely US beef suppliers, customs entries and marketing channels.

Potential importers are also required to produce documents proving that US ground beef and offal are from cattle slaughtered after November 2, and to show quarantine documents, food safety certificates and US export permits before they could file for import permits from the Taiwan authorities.

"All that paperwork could be what is spooking Taiwan importers," external trade officials said, adding that they do not expect any potential importers to step forward anytime soon to apply for import permits.

Taiwan's four major importer and exporter associations issued a joint statement recently, stating that they will not import US ground beef or offal unless the public's fears over potentially hazardous products subside.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 11/10/2009 page2)