Taipei  - Taiwan on Friday lifted its ban on importing US bone-in beef, triggering protests from a consumer group that accused Taipei of bowing to US pressure.

The Department of Health said it has reached agreement with the United States on importing its bone-in beef, cow brain and backbone from cows under 30 months old, lifting a ban instituted in 2003 after the United States reported its first case of mad-cow disease.

But the Taiwan Consumers Foundation complained the Taiwan government had bowed to US political pressure in agreeing to import the beef without approval from the Taiwan people.

Beef from younger cattle, with bones or nervous system matter has a higher chance of carrying bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad-cow disease, than other types of beef. (dpa)