Taipei  - Taiwan's Health Ministry announced Monday its renewal of the import of US bone-in beef, accompanied by a tight inspection system to try to head off local uproar over the government's decision.

The renewal, effective immediately, came after the island signed a protocol with the US last month to lift a six-year ban on import of bone-in beef, ground beef and offal not contaminated with specific risk materials.

But the decision drew the wrath of many Taiwanese, who fear the import of such beef could jeopardize their health after several cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease, were reported in the United States.

"Government authorities will do their utmost in keeping unsafe beef products from being imported to Taiwan," said Health Minister Yang Chih-liang in an evening news conference.

He said relevant authorities will implement a set of highly strict regulations for inspection of ground beef, offal, brains, eyes, skulls and spiral nerve roots from cattle younger than 30 months of age.

He hinted that the inspection, including supply of videotapes proving the ground meat is from cattle under 30 months of age, would be so strict that no importers would bother to import those products.

He stressed the principle of allowing those products for import is "safety, safety and safety."

But local consumer groups have planned to launch a referendum campaign to ask the public to vote on whether Taiwan should import those meat products.

The decision has sparked strong protest from the public and lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition parties.

Political opponents even demanded that President Ma Ying-jeou step down to shoulder responsibility for ending a six-year ban on US bone- in beef.

Ma's approval rating plunged 14 percentage points, to 33 per cent, because of the decision, according to a recent opinion poll released by the China Times daily in Taipei.(dpa)