Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/12/13
By: Yang Su-min and Evelyn Kao
CNA file photo
Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) Repeat offenders caught smuggling meat products into Taiwan from areas affected by African swine fever (ASF) will face a fine of up to NT$1 million (US$32,443) beginning Friday.
The increased fine follows a recent amendment passed by the Legislature, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) said Thursday.
With the passage of the amended Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease last month, people found smuggling meat or live animals for the first time face a fine of NT$50,000, while those caught offending a second time in three years will be fined NT$500,000 and third time offenders NT$1 million, according to the BAPHIO Director-General Feng Hai-tung (馮海東).
Under the new amendment, fines for meat or animal smuggling will increase from the previous NT$3,000-NT$15,000 to NT$10,000-NT$1 million, Feng noted.
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