Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/11/05
By: Wu Hsin-yun and Ko Lin
Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) A draft amendment to the Statute for Prevention and Control of
File photo
Infectious Animal Disease that imposes tougher fines on people caught smuggling meat products into the country has been approved by the Executive Yuan, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) said Monday.
In the wake of an increase in the number of travelers illegally bringing meat products from overseas into Taiwan, the maximum fine is to be raised from NT$15,000 (US$488) to NT$300,000, according to BAPHIQ.
Hopefully, this will have a greater deterrent effect on people, the bureau explained.
The proposed amendment came amid growing concern over outbreaks of highly contagious African swine fever (ASF), which is deadly to pigs. [FULL STORY]