Taiwan reopens to U.S. bone-in beef after 6-year ban

By Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan will reopen its markets to U.S. bone-in beef most likely in November, ending a six-year import ban that was in place over fears of mad cow disease, and ushering improving ties with Washington, officials said on Friday.

Following other markets, Taiwan halted U.S. beef imports in response to the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States. As other markets reopened in recent years, Washington repeatedly urged the island government to let beef back in.

A deal to allow Taiwan to import bone-in beef imports signed by the island and the United States on Thursday in Washington is expected to ease overall relations, U.S. officials in Taiwan said.

"It removes an irritant that's been nagging for as long as I can remember," said Syd Goldsmith, a retired U.S. diplomat in Taipei who has been following the issue closely. "Why do anything that raises the noise level?"

The deal allows imports of all beef products from cattle under 30 months old. Imports from older cattle will be allowed later if meat from the younger ones is found safe, a U.S. official said.

Taiwan, which first issued the ban in December 2003, opened again to boneless U.S. beef in 2006, but kept the ban on bone-in beef such as ribs and T-bone steaks.

"After a strict appraisal and risk analysis proving the safety of U.S. beef, the Department of Health today announces that in addition to the boneless products now allowed, it will open to other beef," the Taiwan government said in a statement.

Taiwan, where steakhouses are fashionable and barbecues common, estimates that the U.S. bone-in beef market will exceed $60 million per year. Boneless beef imports to Taiwan were worth $128 million last year, according to U.S. government data.

The United States is the island's second-largest trading partner, generating annual trade totaling $57 billion, Taiwan data showed.

"We welcome the announcement of bilateral protocol and welcome Taiwan's publication of its amendments," a U.S. de facto embassy spokesman in Taipei said. "The amendments are science-based and consistent with (international) guidelines."

Prepared for a backlash from the political opposition, Taiwan's health department said bone-in beef imports must be inspected first by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that the island would reinstate the ban if a disease resurfaced.

(Editing by Chris Lewis)