United States-Taiwan stand firm.

UNITED STATES.

TAIWAN.

Taiwan refuses to bow under American pressure, to accept beef other than boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age.

This is despite members of the Bush administration expressing their displeasure, in the form of letters to the government of Taiwan and the government of China.

Two US Senators wrote to China, complaining about restrictions on US imports of pork and beef into Taiwan.

The Senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley, believe that Taiwan is in contravention of WTO rules, according to their letters which state, "It is troubling us that Taiwan in engaging in repeated abuse of food safety requirements designed to exclude US agricultural imports to your market".

The letter went on to say "since the time, that the United States adopted comprehensive control measures for BSE and the World Animal Health Organization has determined that all cuts of beef from cattle all ages are safe Taiwan must treat the United States fairly".

The letter also stresses how the US assisted Taiwan to get a seat at the WTO, intimating now it is payback time.

This appears to be very much of a case of "Doctor, doctor heal thyself ".

The United States have been found guilty, in 12 different infringements of beef export rules to South Korea since May 2008.There has been debate over the use of the drug ractopamine in American pork, that is used to make pigs more lean, the drug was banned by Taiwan in 2006.

The have been numerous meat recalls in the United States, for tainted meat totaling hundreds of thousands of tons this year alone, not to mention the alleged cover up involving the BSE in 2003.