Canadian bone-in beef gains Taiwan access

Calgary, AB –Taiwan is set to allow bone-in beef and other specified meat products from Canadian cattle under 30 months of age, which was previously closed in 2003.

Taiwan lifted its ban of Canadian boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age in 2007, and since that time the Canadian Government has been working to regain bone-in beef access. The access to Canadian bone-in beef comes along side Taiwan’s efforts to boost trade and economic cooperation in Canada for proposed talks of a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

Chuck MacLean, Chair of Canada Beef, was pleased with today’s announcement. “Our national organization is grateful for the continued effort that the Canadian Government has put towards global market access – in this instance, Taiwan. Achieving bone-in beef access will further enable the work Canada Beef is doing to increase the brand, value and the resulting loyalty for Canadian beef not only in Taiwan, but leveraging this into Southeast Asia,” said MacLean.

Canada Beef maintains a strong presence in Taiwan, with its office in Taipei. Deanna Kao, Manager of Operations, Canada Beef’s Taiwan office, notes that marketing will focus on the value that Canadian beef can bring to Taiwan.

“The focus of our brand efforts continues to be high-end steakhouses, foodservice and hotel restaurants. With full access, we have the ability to deliver additional supplies of Canadian beef to our target market consumer and further increase brand loyalty, demand and overall value for our product,” said Kao.

Currently, 94 per cent of Taiwan’s beef is imported, giving Canadian beef a large opportunity to be competitive and optimally a leading player in the beef market.

Canadian beef will be subject to identical inspection measures that have applied to U.S. beef imports, including certification, labeling, inspection, checks and information verification.

Canada Beef is the cattle producer-funded and run organization responsible for domestic and international beef and veal market development. It has offices in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. Canada Beef works to foster loyalty to the Canadian beef brand and build strong relationships with trade customers and partners. These efforts increase demand for Canadian beef and the value producers receive for their cattle.

For more information, please contact:
Ron Glaser
VP, Corporate Affairs and Operations, Canada Beef
(403) 275-5890
www.canadabeef.ca