Taiwan declared free of foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever

Taiwan has become free of foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever without the need for vaccination, an achievement matched by no other nation, an official with the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday. Other nations took 20 to 30 years, while Taiwan took just six years, said AOC Vice Minister Huang Chin-cheng. After bringing African swine fever under control in 2018, the World Organization for Animal Health declared Taiwan proper, Penghu and Matsu free of foot-and-mouth disease, and in 2020 allowed the export of pork from these areas. However, nations such as Japan still ban imports of pork products from areas with classical swine fever, including Taiwan. The municipality announced yesterday that, starting next year, domestic pigs and piglets will not have to receive vaccines against classical swine fever. As of July 1, breeding pigs would also not need to receive this vaccination, he added. Ending classical swine fever vaccinations could boost pig farmers' ...