TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan imposed a nationwide five-day ban on pig transportation and slaughter Thursday (Oct. 23) after authorities detected African swine fever at a Taichung farm. The Ministry of Agriculture (農業部), Taiwan's agricultural authority, also prohibited food waste use in pig farming to contain the virus spread. The emergency measures target Wuqi District (梧棲區) where the outbreak originated, marking a significant escalation in the island's disease prevention protocols.
The transportation ban triggered widespread panic buying and pork price fluctuations across Taiwan, sparking consumer discontent online. The Ministry of Agriculture identified 36 Taichung pig farms potentially using contaminated food waste from the Environmental Protection Department (環保局), Taiwan's environmental agency, including household and street vendor refuse. Disease experts warn that food waste, personnel movement, and vehicle transport account for 90 percent of global African swine fever transmission cases.
Government officials assured citizens that Taiwan maintains adequate pork supplies despite the emergency restrictions imposed across the island. "People do not need to panic," the Ministry of Agriculture stated, emphasizing that national reserves and frozen stocks remain sufficient for one month of consumption. Changhua County, which processes approximately 29,000 tons of annual food waste primarily sourced from Taichung, announced plans to incinerate any unmanageable pig farm waste to prevent further contamination.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Taiwan's head of government, activated emergency protocols involving 10 agencies to stabilize pork supplies and market conditions across the island. Vice Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-yi (胡忠一) revealed that officials are considering banning food waste in pig farming entirely, though no final decision has been reached regarding this comprehensive measure. The ministry emphasized that African swine fever poses no human health risk because stomach acid effectively neutralizes the virus upon consumption.◼
