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Nebraska beef producers to benefit from Taiwan dropping restrictions on U.S. bone-in beef
By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com
State leaders are applauding Taiwan's decision to permit the sale of U.S. bone-in beef under 30 months old for the first time since 2003.
The new U.S.-Taiwan Beef Protocol permitting the sales was signed Thursday by officials of both countries.
"This is great news for Nebraska's beef producers," Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said.
"The relaxing of trade restrictions will allow beef producers to expand their presence in a lucrative overseas market," Nelson said. "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."
Also applauding the decision was Gov. Dave Heineman. He said the move will open additional export opportunities for Nebraska beef producers.
"There is an opportunity for Nebraska with this improved access to Taiwan to serve as a positive example for our other Asian trading partners," Heineman said. "International exports are an important component of our beef production industry in Nebraska, so it is encouraging to see continued improvement in access."
Last year, Nebraska was the nation's leading commercial red meat producer at 7.2 billion pounds. Nebraska was the nation's second-leading commercial beef slaughtering state behind Kansas, with more than 7 million head butchered.
In exports, Nebraska was second behind Iowa in 2008 in the exports of live animals and meat with a value of $1.134 billion. Nebraska led the nation with the export of hides and skins at $391.5 million and also led in the export of animal fats, with a value of $212.8 million.
According to information from the United States Department of Agriculture, the agreement was signed Thursday, and a public review in Taiwan is pending. Following that review, the agreement is set to go into effect on Nov. 2. It will allow for the import of bone-in beef from cattle younger than 30 months of age. Currently, Taiwan only accepts beef in that age group that is boneless. After 180 days, government officials will review the 30-month age limit and consider full trade access for U.S. beef.
"We have been working with our Taiwanese contacts on this issue for some time, so we are excited with this impending resolution," Heineman said. "Plans are already in the works to feature Nebraska bone-in beef in that market as soon as possible."
Beef exports to Taiwan from Nebraska in 2007 were $10.3 million, and it was Nebraska's sixth-largest trading partner for beef products at that time.
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, export 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 about 32 percent of Taiwan's beef, and that will likely increase with the acceptance of the new protocol.
"Exports remain a critical component to success in agriculture, and this is an important development for Nebraska and all U.S. beef producers," said Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb.. "I appreciate the Taiwanese being willing to sit down together and come to this agreement. I look forward to bone-in beef from Nebraska being enjoyed at tables throughout Taiwan."
State leaders are applauding Taiwan's decision to permit the sale of U.S. bone-in beef under 30 months old for the first time since 2003.
The new U.S.-Taiwan Beef Protocol permitting the sales was signed Thursday by officials of both countries.
"This is great news for Nebraska's beef producers," Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said.
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Nebraska beef producers to benefit from Taiwan dropping restrictions on U.S. bone-in beef
Also applauding the decision was Gov. Dave Heineman. He said the move will open additional export opportunities for Nebraska beef producers.
"There is an opportunity for Nebraska with this improved access to Taiwan to serve as a positive example for our other Asian trading partners," Heineman said. "International exports are an important component of our beef production industry in Nebraska, so it is encouraging to see continued improvement in access."
Last year, Nebraska was the nation's leading commercial red meat producer at 7.2 billion pounds. Nebraska was the nation's second-leading commercial beef slaughtering state behind Kansas, with more than 7 million head butchered.
In exports, Nebraska was second behind Iowa in 2008 in the exports of live animals and meat with a value of $1.134 billion. Nebraska led the nation with the export of hides and skins at $391.5 million and also led in the export of animal fats, with a value of $212.8 million.
According to information from the United States Department of Agriculture, the agreement was signed Thursday, and a public review in Taiwan is pending. Following that review, the agreement is set to go into effect on Nov. 2. It will allow for the import of bone-in beef from cattle younger than 30 months of age. Currently, Taiwan only accepts beef in that age group that is boneless. After 180 days, government officials will review the 30-month age limit and consider full trade access for U.S. beef.
"We have been working with our Taiwanese contacts on this issue for some time, so we are excited with this impending resolution," Heineman said. "Plans are already in the works to feature Nebraska bone-in beef in that market as soon as possible."
Beef exports to Taiwan from Nebraska in 2007 were $10.3 million, and it was Nebraska's sixth-largest trading partner for beef products at that time.
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, export 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 about 32 percent of Taiwan's beef, and that will likely increase with the acceptance of the new protocol.
"Exports remain a critical component to success in agriculture, and this is an important development for Nebraska and all U.S. beef producers," said Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb.. "I appreciate the Taiwanese being willing to sit down together and come to this agreement. I look forward to bone-in beef from Nebraska being enjoyed at tables throughout Taiwan."
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| Wet conditions to continue, pushing harvest well into November, December |
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