bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

food safety | SPS

food safety | sanitary and phytosanitary standards


Taiwan, US at odds on beef issue
The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks were postponed by the United States in January after Taiwan blocked some shipments of US beef upon finding that they contained residue of ractopamine, an animal feed additive banned in Taiwan
TIFA talks shelved over beef dispute
The US has decided to postpone a trade meeting with Taiwan later this month amid a dispute over US beef, the Central News Agency reported yesterday, citing unnamed Taiwanese officials.
FMD ― a manmade disaster
Free trade agreements aggravate the animal pandemic further by preventing one country from rooting it out fundamentally because of mandatory import and consumption of foreign meat products.
Kenya picked for new EU food safety training
EU regulations on food safety have undergone many tests with the latest farm-to-fork traceability demand, putting pressure on developing states to adjust their sanitary and phytosanitary control systems to match the European standards.
India: No import of US dairy products for now
In recent bilateral talks during US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, the Agriculture Ministry made it clear that India will subject US dairy products to the same protocol and veterinary certification as was applicable to other countries, and that India would have to be sensitive to religious sentiments.
Sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers to trade in EPAs
This paper from ICTSD sets out a common vision on issues that could constitute sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers in EPAs and investigates how abusive use of these provisions could be an obstacle to market access.
US makes no specific request for easing Japan’s beef import curbs
The United States made no specific request for relaxing Japan’s beef import restrictions over mad cow disease at a two-day bilateral working-level meeting that ended in San Francisco on Wednesday, Japanese officials said Thursday.
Japan stance ’unchanged’ on US beef imports for talks, ministry says
Japan will maintain its stance on restricting some U.S. beef when officials from the two countries hold talks next week, the agriculture ministry said today.
PM panel issues dictum for trade talks, cautions against diversions
The Trade & Economic Relations Committee (TERC), headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has directed the commerce ministry and its negotiators to guard against possible trade diversion and creation of inverted duty structures by India’s FTA partners.
Lee administration considers expansion of US beef imports
Experts say measures implemented after the 2008 candlelight vigil demonstrations may be sacrificed for ratification of the KORUS FTA 
Notes on the Association Agreements with the European Union
The EU proposes that the parties be empowered to collaborate on the practical implementation of domestic rules regulating access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices on their territories, so as to guarantee compliance with those provisions. This is a case of interference with national sovereignty, unquestionably for the benefit of European pharmaceutical corporations.
Canada seeks full access to Saudi beef market
Canada, which lost millions of dollars in beef trade opportunities with Saudi Arabia following the outbreak of mad-cow disease, is now seeking full access to this lucrative Saudi market. There is also talk of possibly holding negotiations for a free trade agreement and a general investment protection accord with the Gulf states.
EU moves toward new rules on animal welfare
The EU is starting to consider new rules on animal welfare that could have significant impacts on its trading partners.
Beef in Taiwan: Tongues, tails and testicles
US beef has become a political issue across East Asia. After North Korean nukes and the value of the Chinese yuan, it’s one of the biggest headaches for American diplomats.
Canada - Door open for beef to Colombia
The Colombian market for Canadian beef, worth about $6 million per year, has just been reopened in the context of the proposed Canada-Colombia FTA, after being closed since 2003 due to BSE in Canadian cattle.
Japan, US ‘some distance’ apart in beef trade talks
“For us, food safety based on Japan’s scientific standards is the priority,” Akamatsu said today. “The OIE standards are different from the Japanese scientific ones.”
US scholars see WTO as best path to resolving beef dispute
By taking the case to the WTO, the US will be able to "depoliticize" the issue, a CSIS fellow argues
US official says no basis for renegotiation of beef issue
The US Trade Representative Office said Friday that Taiwan has destroyed its bilateral agreement with the United States on beef imports and there is no basis for renegotiation of the issue.
Consumers’ Foundation demands prion tests on US beef imports
The Consumers’ Foundation demanded Tuesday that the government include prion tests in its inspection of US beef imports to detect any possible bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) contamination of the products.
Taiwan bans US beef
Taiwan’s legislative Yuan Tuesday banned the sale of US beef to that island country, a move that infuriated US beef exporters and could lead to trade disputes with the United States.