Smith Calls On Taiwan To Drop Beef Ban

Press Release

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today joined with a number of his House colleagues in signing a letter to Taiwan's Representative to the United States Jason Yuan expressing their disappointment with the recent unilateral decision by Taiwan to bar the import of certain beef and beef products and urging a reversal of the policy.

Nebraska has the top three beef cow counties in the U.S., and produces more beef per square mile than any other state. Nebraska ranks first in the country in live animal and meat exports ($1.1 billion) and number one in cattle harvest (seven million head).

The U.S. beef industry includes more than 765,000 farms and ranches accounting for roughly $200 billion in economic activity. As the United States exports about $3.6 billion in beef annually, including $128 million to Taiwan, continued access to reliable markets is essential.

"Export markets are critically important to Nebraska's beef industry. America has the safest food supply in the world and I am disappointed Taiwan took this action, which is in direct violation of a bilateral agreement concluded by our nations just two months ago. Taiwan should honor its commitments to provide full market access to U.S. beef and beef products," Smith said.

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