February 19, 2026 -The National Bison Association (NBA) was pleased to learn that the recently signed US-Taiwan Reciprocal Trade Agreement includes language that ensures the allowance of bison meat imports into Taiwan moving forward. The agreement also includes language that states Taiwan’s bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) regulations will not be applied to bison moving forward.
Specifically, the trade agreement states: “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), through its Designated Representative, shall cooperate with AIT, through its Designated Representative, to complete the regulatory process to allow imports into the territory represented by TECRO of bison meat and bison meat products certified using an FSIS export certificate or electronic data elements, without undue delay.”
The NBA has long lobbied both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative’s office to work towards opening Taiwan to bison meat imports, along with other Pacific Rim nations, including Japan and Korea. The NBA also advocates against the application of existing BSE rules to bison. These rules have long prevented bison from entering Asian markets, despite the fact that no confirmed case of BSE has ever occurred in North American bison.
Said NBA Executive Director, Jim Matheson, “This is great news that will help continue to grow the bison herd and the industry. It also sets the very important precedent that BSE regulations should not be applied to bison, because, plain and simple, we’ve never had a case of BSE in the bison supply chain. Taiwan offers a lucrative opportunity for all US bison marketers and producers, and will add significant value to the growing bison export market. We expect to see Japan and Korea continue to pursue access with this news, further growing opportunities for our business.”
The NBA thanks the US Trade Representative’s Office and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service for their efforts and support in successfully including bison in these negotiations. The association looks forward to developing the bison meat market in Taiwan and introducing this uniquely American delicacy to the Taiwanese people.
About the NBA
The NBA is a member-based non-profit association of producers, processors, marketers, and bison enthusiasts. The mission of the National Bison Association is to bring together stakeholders to celebrate the heritage of American bison, to educate, and to create a sustainable future for our industry. Learn more at nationalbison.org, or @nationalbison.