Canada says it has reclaimed market access to Taiwan for Canadian beef and beef products from animals over 30 months of age.

Taiwan slapped import restrictions on beef from animals both over and under 30 months in 2003 following the discovery of Canada’s first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

The government says Taiwan lifted restrictions for under-30-month beef in 2016.

In a press release out Friday, the federal government says the regained access offers an opportunity to expand Canadian beef exports to Taiwan and diversify export markets in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Agriculture and Agri-Food minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says in the press release that growing trade partnerships in that region is a top priority for the federal government.

Earlier this year, Japan lifted the last of its restrictions against Canadian beef.