Post by : Rameen Ariff

Taiwan has issued a strong warning urging the public not to send any pork products from Spain after African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in the European nation. The alert comes as authorities intensify efforts to protect Taiwan’s pig industry from the highly contagious disease.

Officials announced strict penalties for anyone caught bringing in illegal pork products from overseas. Individuals who receive such parcels will face a fine of NT$200,000 (US$6,400) for the first violation and NT$1 million for a repeat offense. Importing pork through express delivery or freight could lead to a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of NT$3 million.

Spain recently reported two wild boars found dead near Barcelona that tested positive for African swine fever, ending more than 30 years without the virus in the country. Although no direct flights operate between Spain and Taiwan, direct mail links remain active, raising concerns about possible transmission through international packages, according to local media reports.

Taiwan’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency has now added Spain to its list of countries with ASF outbreaks recorded in the past three years. As a result, the import of live hogs and pork products from Spain by air or sea has been banned starting Saturday. Any illegal pork items entering Taiwan will be destroyed or returned immediately.

Taiwan is one of the major pork-importing markets, ranking second after Canada. The country imported 25,452 tonnes of pork in 2023 and 16,019 tonnes in 2024. With rising risks, authorities say border inspections will be tightened to prevent any illegal pork from slipping into the country.

After recently ending an outbreak in Taichung, Taiwan is preparing to apply for the restoration of its official swine fever-free status next year. Allowing pork from Spain, where ASF has re-emerged, could jeopardize that goal, officials warned.

#Global News