COA minister claims Taiwan will not get ASF unless biologically attacked

農委會主委聲稱除非受到生物攻擊否則台灣不會有非洲豬瘟

Minister of the Council of Agriculture expresses confidence in Taiwan’s preventative measures against African swine fever


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Minister of the Council of Agriculture (COA) Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) said that unless there’s a deliberate biological attack African swine fever (ASF) will not spread to Taiwan, in an interview with Central News Agency (CNA).


Chen said that though Taiwan is relatively close to China, its epidemic prevention strategy is clear and effective. By focusing on border inspections and domestic biological control measures the disease can be controlled, unless there is a deliberate biological attack.


Chen said the contagious disease can spread through food waste. The Council of Agriculture is working with farms that use human food waste and encouraging them to switch to compound feed, blended from raw materials and additives, or install high-temperature cooking instruments to process food waste.


Individuals who have been to farms in China or Vietnam are considered to be high risk and are being monitored. They must go through a disinfection process before returning to the country.