NIA warns summer travelers against bringing pork into Taiwan

Taipei, July 5 (CNA) The National Immigration Agency (NIA) on Sunday urged travelers not to bring pork or other meat products from African swine fever (ASF)-affected areas into Taiwan during the summer travel season to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a statement, the NIA said 542 travelers were fined NT$200,000 (US$6,262) each last year for bringing pork products from ASF-affected areas into Taiwan, citing Customs Administration data.

Many of those fined were Taiwanese nationals, while 144 foreign travelers were denied entry after failing to pay the penalties, the agency said.

The NIA warned travelers to exercise caution when buying overseas souvenirs, saying illegally bringing pork products into Taiwan could jeopardize the country's disease-free status and result in hefty fines.

Taiwan regained its ASF-free status on April 6 after receiving official recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), becoming the only country in Asia free of ASF, classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, the agency said.

The designation followed Taiwan's successful containment of an ASF outbreak detected last October.

According to customs statistics, most violations involved travelers carrying prohibited pork products in their luggage, followed by international courier parcels.

The NIA said it has stepped up outreach to foreign residents, holding more than 300 awareness events through mid-June for new immigrants, overseas students and migrant workers, distributing over 56,000 informational leaflets and sending more than 300 messages through Line groups, reaching over 24,000 people.

Although ASF does not affect humans, it is highly contagious and often fatal in pigs. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) has estimated that a major outbreak could cost Taiwan's hog industry nearly NT$80 billion, with total economic losses exceeding NT$200 billion, including related sectors such as feed production and transportation.

The NIA urged the public not to bring, buy or mail pork products into Taiwan to help safeguard the country's livestock industry.