Proposal to ban 'risky' products sets course for trade collision

TAIPEI: Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou has instructed that a team be sent to the United States to step up communication with Washington on the legislature's latest move over US beef imports, the "Presidential Office" spokesman said yesterday.

Wang Yu-chi made the remarks after Ma called a meeting earlier yesterday in response to a proposed legislative amendment that would abrogate an agreement with the United States on beef imports.

Ma exchanged views with principal government officials and heads of relevant government agencies on how to deal with the US should the amendment pass the Legislative Yuan.

Ma said the team should leave as soon as possible on its damage-control mission, to mitigate the impact of the lawmakers' decision on Taiwan-US relations, Wang said.

"The team will depart for the US next week at the latest," he added.

After the legislature goes into recess, a group comprised of legislators, scholars and representatives of civic groups and consumers will also travel to the United States to express the stance of the Taiwan people and make on-site visits to meat facilities there in an attempt to allay local misgivings over US beef.

The Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Department of Agriculture issued a statement a day earlier saying that the proposed amendment will constitute the unilateral abrogation of an agreement concluded between Taiwan and the US two months ago and that Taiwan should consider the impact on its reputation as a reliable trade partner and a responsible member of the international community.

Wang said Ma attaches great importance to the US statement and will communicate with Washington through a proper channel before dispatching the team.

A "Presidential Office" official said the government is willing to abide by its international commitments, but added that the proposed amendment is the manifestation of public will reached through democratic procedure, and that "we hope the United States will respect the decision."

Ruling and opposition party legislators reached a consensus Tuesday to pass the proposed amendment to the Act Governing Food Sanitation that would ban imports of "risky" beef products from areas where cases of mad cow disease have been documented over the past decade.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 12/31/2009 page2)