Trade Minister Mary Ng shared the news on Twitter
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian beef exporter will have full access to a market of nearly 24 million people in the coming weeks.
Trade Minister Mary Ng shared news on Twitter that following conversations at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ meeting in Detroit, Mich., Canadian beef will have complete access to the Taiwanese market.
“Great news for Canadian beef farmers and exporters! Today, at the APEC, Taiwan confirmed that in a couple weeks Canadian beef exporters will have full access to the Taiwanese market,” she tweeted on May 25. “As we negotiate our Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), we continue to foster opportunities between our two economies, creating good jobs for Taiwanese and Canadian workers!”
In February, Minister Ng and Taiwanese representative John Deng agreed to begin formal negotiations on the FIPPA and include agriculture in those conversations.
Taiwan and Canada have had inconsistent beef trade.
Taiwan imposed restrictions on Canadian beef in 2003 after BSE. Those restrictions remained in place until 2007 when it allowed boneless beef from animals under 30 months.
Taiwan again rejected Canadian beef imports in 2015 after another case of Canadian BSE. Those restrictions lasted until July 2016.
Taiwan is Canada’s 13th largest trading partner and 5th largest in Asia.
In 2022, Canada exported 1,185 tonnes of beef to Taiwan, valued at nearly $14 million.
The Canadian beef sector welcomes the news about the Taiwanese market.
“Taiwan to provide full access to #CdnBeef exports. This is welcome news for Canadian cattle farmers and ranchers. Thank you Minister (Ng) for your work on this file,” the organization said on Twitter.