Pig transport, slaughter to resume after Taiwan confirms zero ASF cases

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季), who also serves as head of the Central Emergency Operations Center for African Swine Fever (ASF), made the announcement at a press conference following the center's meeting.

"Except for the case in Taichung, no other sites have reported African swine fever," the minister said.

Chen explained that "failure to properly boil kitchen waste was the main cause of the outbreak" and said three conditions -- complete inspection, comprehensive monitoring, and full legal compliance -- must be met for the ban on using kitchen waste to be lifted.

He also added that the ministry will provide subsidies to support pig farmers.

● Latest ASF inspection on Taichung pig farm scheduled for Monday

Lin Nien-nong (林念農), head of the Animal Health Inspection Division of the MOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), said at the press event that to ensure smooth reopening, 53 meat markets and slaughterhouses nationwide began large-scale disinfection on Wednesday under supervision by slaughterhouse hygiene inspectors.

Lin said pork stalls must complete disinfection before markets reopen Friday, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will oversee local governments' implementation, and both the MOA and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will supervise the cleaning of carcass transport vehicles.

Pigs found dead at a farm in Taichung's Wuqi District tested positive for ASF on Oct. 21, and virus analysis on Oct. 25 confirmed the case as Taiwan's first outbreak of the disease.

In view of the virus's 15-day incubation period, the MOA imposed a nationwide suspension on live pig transport and slaughter from noon on Oct. 22 until noon on Nov. 6.