Expert Finds Gov't Handling of US Beef Issue Inconsistent

National Taiwan University College of Public Health Deputy Dean as well as Director of the International Health Center Chan Chang-Chuan (詹長權) criticized yesterday that the Taiwanese government lacks consistency in handling the U.S. beef issue.   When dealing with the leanness-enhancer controversy, the government argued for looking beyond international policies and import leanness-enhanced beef anyway; now that the U.S. has reported a new case of mad cow disease, the government argues for a wait-and-see approach as to how the problem is dealt with internationally before banning U.S. beef imports.   Such inconsistency in regulations shows a blatant disregard for the public's dietary safety on the government's part, Chan accused.  

Mad Cow Is Individual Case: US   American Institute in Taiwan Spokesman Christopher Kavanagh acknowledged yesterday the fact that the U.S. government sends its latest investigation results on mad cow disease to the Taiwan government every day.   Current investigation results revealed that the cow with the disease is 10 years old. No group infection was detected, and it has been deemed to be an individual case, staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also, according to staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the farm where the mad cow disease was discovered has been quarantined.    

OIE Standards Unchanged   Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta (邱文達) guaranteed on Thursday that if the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) heightens the U.S. mad cow disease risk status, Taiwan would immediately suspend imports of U.S. beef and relevant products.   As of yesterday, the OIE has not announced any changes in the U.S.' disease risk status, therefore the Taiwan government maintains its position on the case.