Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/07/01
By: Yang Su-min and Chi Jo-yao

Taipei, July 1 (CNA) Taiwan's government is preparing to apply for recognition as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) where vaccination is not practiced after meeting a critical standard on Monday, according to the country's Council of Agriculture (COA).

As of Monday, there have been no cases of FMD or vaccinations against FMD in Taiwan during the past 12 months, qualifying Taiwan as a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) FMD-free zone, COA Deputy Minister Huang Chin-cheng (黃金城) said at a news conference Monday.

The COA will submit a declaration to the OIE consisting of Taiwan's qualifications and related evidence by September, and the country will hopefully regain such status after more than 22 years by May 2020, Huang said.

The COA will continue FMD prevention efforts, including GPS monitoring of all pig transportation vehicles across the island, before the OIE officially announces that Taiwan has regained FMD free without vaccination status, COA chief Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) said.    [FULL  STORY]