Gov. Heineman Applauds Taiwan’s
Decision to Accept U.S. Beef

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today commended the decision of Taiwanese officials to reopen Taiwan’s borders to U.S. beef, beginning on April 16.

“We are pleased that Nebraska’s producers will soon have access to consumers in another key international market,” Gov. Heineman said. “Taiwan is an important trading partner, and we are glad that our efforts to persuade them have had an effect.”

Taiwan joined a number of markets in closing its borders to U.S. beef imports after a single Washington state dairy cow was found to be infected with BSE in December 2003.

Gov. Heineman recently sent a letter to the Taiwanese Director General in Kansas City that urged Taiwanese officials to lift the ban. Prior to becoming U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Gov. Mike Johanns also corresponded with Taiwanese officials about the ban.

Taiwanese officials referenced the correspondence in a letter to Gov. Heineman announcing that its borders would reopen to U.S. cattle. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials today confirmed the market's re-opening.

“I am pleased that Taiwanese officials considered the sound science that says Nebraska and U.S. beef is safe, and it is my hope that our other trade partners will do the same. I also am extremely pleased that Nebraskans may have helped influence their decision.”

A Taiwanese technical review team was hosted by Nebraska officials in November. The team reviewed beef production safeguards, and Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials recently returned from a visit with Taiwanese officials about the ban.

Merlyn Carlson, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, said, “We feel very good about the meetings that took place in Taiwan. Following the Governor’s lead, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will continue to work with foreign countries to reopen international borders to U.S. and Nebraska beef.”

In 2003, Taiwan imported nearly $7 million worth of Nebraska beef.

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