Taiwan’s submission to be recognized as Classical Swine Fever-free has been accepted by the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Ministry of Agriculture said March 19.
This positive development represents global recognition of government measures to eradicate major animal-borne diseases and bodes well for efforts to promote the country’s pork exports, the ministry added.
According to the MOA, CSF is a highly contagious and deadly disease that poses a tremendous threat to the pig farming industry. A raft of control measures, including vaccination, monitoring, reporting and biosecurity enhancement, have been implemented since Taiwan eradicated its last case in 2005, the ministry said, adding that CSF vaccines have not been administered since July 2023.
At the same time, the government has stepped up border control measures, such as stricter inspections of airport luggage and international post, stronger crackdowns on smuggling and expanded public awareness campaigns.
Through these efforts, Taiwan’s application to be recognized as CSF-free was accepted by the WOAH Scientific Commission Feb. 20. The case is expected to be formally approved during the WOAH’s General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates this May, which will make Taiwan the only country in Asia to be declared free of African Swine Fever, foot-and-mouth disease and CSF.
The MOA expects the recognition to open new opportunities to export local pork and help exporters negotiate more favorable trade terms, resulting in a great boost for Taiwan’s pork industry. The government will continue to enforce strict border controls and work closely with farmers to preserve its CSF-free status, the ministry added. (SFC-E)
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