Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has proposed a draft revision to regulations governing Japanese beef imports. If implemented, the new regulations would permit beef imports of cattle of any age.
Under existing regulations, beef imports from Japan must fulfill several criterias. These include being sourced from cattle under 30 months old, inspected by a veterinary officer, and processed in a factory that has official recognition.
TFDA Deputy Director-General Lin Chin-fu on Wednesday told CNA that the ministry plans to revise the ‘Import regulations for Japanese beef and its products’ by eliminating the age limit for Japanese cattle. The change aims to align with the regulatory practices of the United States and Canada.
In 2003, Taiwan imposed a ban on all Japanese beef imports due to concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as ‘mad cow disease.’ However, in 2017, the administration partially lifted the restriction, allowing the import of beef from cattle that are 30 months old or younger.
Each batch of cattle products from Japan will still require official veterinary certificates and must be produced in approved factories to be allowed into Taiwan, Lin said.
The imported beef must comply with stringent regulations, which exclude certain cow parts from usage.
The proposed amendments to the regulations on bovine imports from Japan, disclosed on Tuesday, will now undergo a 60-day review period, during which the public can submit their opinions.
The Food and Drug Administration stated that they would impose the highest hygiene standards when reviewing the import of beef products from Japan.
In 2023, Japan’s beef exports amounted to approximately Â¥57 billion, according to statistics from the country’s agriculture ministry. Of this total, Taiwan emerged as the leading importer, accounting for 17% of the total exports.
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