Taiwan’s declaration that it has eliminated African swine fever within its borders has been recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health, demonstrating the country’s progress in eradicating major animal-borne diseases, according to the Ministry of Agriculture Nov. 1.
Detailed materials were submitted to the WOAH in July, and the organization added Taiwan to its roster of self-declared ASF-free locations Oct. 31, the MOA said, adding that the country joins Japan in being the only East Asian nations to have successfully stamped out the virus.
ASF is highly contagious and has a high fatality rate, posing a huge threat to pigs and the pork industry, the MOA said. Since the 2018 regional outbreak, Taiwan has ramped up laboratory testing capacity while conducting rigorous nationwide inspections, it added.
After multiple investigations and discussions with experts, the government confirmed that there is no trace of ASF on livestock farms or in the wild, the ministry said.
With WOAH’s acknowledgement, Taiwan has become more competitive in the global pork supply chain, the MOA said. Domestic pork is currently exported to the Philippines, and the government is actively working to tap into the Malaysia and Singapore markets.
Taiwan has additionally received WOAH recognition for eliminating foot-and-mouth disease and hopes to obtain classic swine fever-free status in May 2025, the MOA said, adding that an application has already been filed with the organization. (POC-E)
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