TAIPEI, Jan 25 (AP) -- Taiwan announced on Wednesday it was lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports that was imposed last June after a cow in the U.S. was found infected with mad cow disease.

In a statement on its Web site, the island's Department of Health said that an investigation had shown there was no danger to the population, and the import of beef could resume.

The U.S. office in Taiwan welcomed the announcement.

"The U.S. government is taking stringent safeguard measures to ensure that U.S. beef continues to be completely safe," the American Institute in Taiwan said in a statement.