TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters) – A senior Taiwan official apologized last week over lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports to the island’s markets, a move that set off widespread fears of BSE and tarnished president Ma Ying-jeou’s reputation.
National Security Council secretary-general Su Chi told a Taiwan parliament committee that the government’s communication was poor following an Oct. 22 decision to lift the ban on bone-in beef and other cattle products from the United States, an aide to Su said.
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Su told the legislative committee the gap in communication set off public panic, local media reported.
“He wanted to make an apology for the inadequacy in communication and say that the government would make improvements next time,” the aide said.
A public furor over fears of BSE has handed Ma Ying-jeou his biggest crisis since the government’s perceived slow response to a deadly typhoon in August.
As officials lay the groundwork to lift the ban, which was imposed six years ago, the ruling Nationalist Party has faced criticism from within its ranks, trade groups and the main opposition party.
