Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/12/19
By: Chiu Chun-chin and Evelyn Kao
Taipei, Dec. 19 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday called on
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文)
China to provide comprehensive and real-time information about the spread of African swine fever (ASF) there to avoid creating a disease prevention loophole.
Tsai issued the call during an inspection tour of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to observe the quarantine procedures and the work of sniffer dogs with regard to meat products entering the country.
The Taiwan government’s efforts to guard against ASF include an amendment to the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease, which took effect Dec. 14, allowing higher fines for meat or animal smuggling, she said.
Based on the new amendment, the Council of Agriculture (COA) has increased the minimum fine for meat smuggling from NT$50,000 (US$1,622) to NT$200,000 for first-time offenders to help protect Taiwan’s pig farming sector, she noted. [FULL STORY]