Taiwan protests beef imports
2009-11-14 12:53
Taipei - Thousands of Taiwanese have taken to the streets to protest a government decision to lift a six-year ban on imports of some kinds of US beef.
Participants in the opposition-led protest Saturday demanded the government continue to ban bone-in beef, ground beef and offal, and renegotiate with the US about beef imports to safeguard against mad cow disease.
Taiwan previously only allowed imports of boneless beef from the US, but decided last month to end the ban on the three beef cuts.
US officials say American beef is safe, but some health experts say ground beef and offal may carry a higher risk of mad cow disease.
The US is one of Taiwan's biggest trading partners.
- AP