Fines issued for smuggled meat from China amid swine flu scare

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/09/10
By: Yang Su-min and Ko Lin

Taipei, Sept. 10 (CNA) Passengers who were caught trying to carry meat products into Taiwan from China through customs were consequently fined while another has been charged by prosecutors for using air parcel service to deliver Chinese sausages into the country, the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA) said on Monday.

The penalties were issued amid growing concerns over a highly contagious and deadly virus that causes African swine fever (ASF). The virus has been spreading rapidly across China after the country reported its first outbreak on Aug. 3.

Taiwan has since been strengthening quarantine controls at its borders and implementing cross-department cooperation to effectively prevent the ASF virus from entering the country.    [FULL  STORY]