First shipment of US beef hits Taiwan shops

The shipment of about 15,000 pounds of US beef was the first since Taiwan lifted its ban, which was imposed following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the US.

Taiwan, like South Korea, only permits the import of US boneless beef from animals under 30-months of age.

The Taiwanese government came under intense criticism, particularly from cattle farmers and consumer groups, for what was seen as a hasty decision to reopen its market.