FINES NOT WORKING:COA Deputy Minister Huang Chin-cheng said that increased fines had not curbed illegal meat imports, so more X-rays and dogs are needed
Taipei Times
Date: Jan 01, 2019
By: Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporter
The Council of Agriculture (COA) yesterday said it would propose installing
A Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine sniffer dog inspects luggage at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Dec. 14.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
additional X-ray devices and deploying more sniffer dogs to ensure that all luggage entering Taiwan is checked at customs as part of its efforts to keep African swine fever at bay.
The council on Dec. 18 increased fines for those found illegally bringing meat products through customs from areas affected by the disease to NT$200,000 (US$6,508) for first-time offenders, and between NT$500,000 and NT$1 million for repeat offenders.
However, customs officials still intercepted smuggled meat on 84 occasions from Dec. 18 to Sunday, including 26 pork products from China, council data showed.
COA Deputy Minister Huang Chin-cheng (黃金城) said that as the fines have not effectively curbed illegal imports, the council would propose adding X-ray devices and dogs at customs to make sure that every piece of luggage is checked. [FULL STORY]
