Encouraging Taiwan to fully reopen its border to all cuts of Canadian beef is the primary reason Portage-Lisgar M.P. Candice Hoeppner is in the country this week. In May 2003, following the announcement of Canada's first B.S.E. case, Taiwan banned the import of Canadian beef and cattle. Although partial access was restored in 2007 for boneless beef, Taiwan remains non-committal on a precise timeline granting full access to bone-in beef, offal, and ground meat.

Hoeppner believes part of the challenge in getting the border opened wider is educating the Taiwanese public on the safety of Canadian beef.



Hoeppner met with several high level officials including President Ma Ying-jeou, the Taiwanese Department of Health Minister, the Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister, and Scott Fraser, Executive Director of Canada's Trade Office in Taipei. During those conversations, she suggested a Taiwanese delegation be sent to Canada that included government reps, but also consumer groups and organizations representing families.



"Many livestock producers in central and Southern Manitoba are still working hard to get back on their feet after a myriad of challenges including the United States' COOL regulations, a high Canadian currency, increased input costs, and of course B.S.E.," Hoeppner explained. "The agriculture industry is critical to my riding.  Restoring access to Canadian beef products is crucial to the survival of producers and the rural culture that is important to us," concluded Hoeppner.