OTTAWA, Ontario – Taiwan lifted a temporary ban on imports of beef produced in Canada. Before the ban Taiwan was Canada’s seventh-largest export market for beef with a value of C$12 million annually.

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade

“I am very pleased that our government has successfully secured market access for Canadian beef in Taiwan,” Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, said in a statement. “This positive development will provide consumers with access to Canada’s high-quality, safe, premium beef. Taiwan is Canada’s 12th largest trading partner and an important market for our agriculture exporters. When our producers and exporters succeed abroad, Canadians and our middle class benefit here at home.”

Taiwan suspended imports of Canadian beef following a confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in February, 2015.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“The government of Canada welcomes the news of another restored market,” Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said in a statement. “This is an excellent opportunity for the Canadian cattle industry to export its high-quality Canadian beef to the global marketplace. The government continues to push for access to more markets around the world in order to ensure Canadian producers and agri-businesses are thriving and successful for the long term.”