Lamb Market Access to Taiwan

John Clifford, DVM, Deputy Administrator of Veterinary Services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has formally requested U.S. market access in Taiwan for lamb/ovine meat and meat products. The United States lost market access in Taiwan and in several other countries for sheep meat, along with beef, when a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was found in a cow in this country.

According to American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) president, Margaret Soulen Hinson, "For years now, ASI has been advocating for the reopening of sheep meat to all of these markets that were closed to all ruminant animal products because of BSE in cattle. Taiwan has great potential as a market for a variety of lamb cuts, and we are anxious to see an agreement finalized."

The governor's office in Idaho heard from companies in the state who want to do business in Taiwan, and the industry appreciates Governor Otter bringing this to ASI's attention and helping raise the issue with USDA.