Premier Chen Chien-jen (front) gives a talk on preventative measures for African swine fever Dec. 25 in Taoyuan International Airport in northern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Executive Yuan)
 

Premier Chen Chien-jen visited Taoyuan International Airport to inspect measures preventing African swine fever from entering Taiwan Dec. 25, underscoring the government’s dedication to safeguarding the food industry and citizens’ health.

According to Chen, as Lunar New Year approaches, expatriate ROC (Taiwan) nationals may unknowingly bring meat products contaminated with ASF into the country. He urged custom officials to be vigilant.

Based on the information from the World Organisation for Animal Health, China is facing a severe ASF epidemic, while Taiwan has taken thorough animal quarantine precautions, the premier said. He added that the government is leaving no stone unturned in blocking the pathogen, making Taiwan one of only two countries in East Asia free of the virus.

Chen hopes to see Taiwan become the only territory in Asia where ASF, foot and mouth disease, and classical swine fever are nonexistent.

To effectively deter such diseases from entering Taiwan, domestic and international tourists must cooperate, the premier said, adding that related agencies should step up efforts to educate incoming passengers given that foreign travelers are often unfamiliar with Taiwan quarantine regulations. (POC-E)