Taiwan banned U.S. beef completely in 2003 after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease was diagnosed in Seattle. In 2005, Taiwan lifted the ban and then reimposed it after a new case was discovered.

Under regulations introduced in 2006, only boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months is allowed to be imported, and only when it originates from certified slaughterhouses and when brains and spinal cord marrow are removed.

Both Yeh and the outgoing U.S. representative in Taiwan, Stephen Young, have recently hinted that a change in the policy might happen soon.

The most recent exchange of documents between the DOH and the U.S. on the issue happened on July 4, Yeh said. The problem did not lie with his department anymore, but with Washington because it “wanted face,” Yeh said.

The U.S. government is worried that if Taiwan’s restrictions stay in place, other countries currently in negotiations with Washington over beef trade could impose similar regulations, he said. The DOH minister said Taiwan would still take the attitude of other countries into account before reaching a final decision.

The government has argued it would led scientific elements take precedence while Yeh argued the chance of contracting BSE from eating U.S. beef was as little as the chance of being hit by lightning. Yeh also reportedly claimed any problems with the beef might be neutralized by cooking the meat.

Environmental groups and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party have opposed the eventual liberalization, accusing the government of playing politics with a health issue.

Critics have also accused the government of caving in to U.S. demands after it recently became known that in March, the DOH relaxed its complete ban on the pesticide endosulfan in apples and cherries, most of which are imported from the United States.