February 21, 2007

Taiwan to implement hog traceability system and insurance fund

Taiwan's government would introduce a traceability system for its hog industry by the end of June to prevent sick and dead hogs from entering the market, Cabinet spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang said last week.

Premier Su Tseng-chang gave the directive after a Council of Agriculture (COA) official delivered a report on stepping up supervision of pork production to ensure food sanitation, Cheng said.

The premier also ordered the COA to detail measures for stricter control of sick and dead hogs, such as the national hog insurance scheme which compensates farmers.

Hog farmers and relevant government agencies are setting up a subsidy for the insurance scheme. The insurance subsidy may reach about 70 percent of the market price of the dead hog. According to a COA plan, the current hog insurance programme would be expanded to cover up to 5.7 million hogs raised in 18 cities and counties around the island by the end of this year. Taiwan produces about 9 million hogs each year.  The eventual aim would be to cover all hogs in the region.

Taiwan's government has come under increased criticism at home as cases of illegal pork being sold into the market are still occurring despite the government's measures. 

Premier Su said that under the new system, all pork products would have a label explaining where the hog was reared, as well as information about the farm and the breed.

To strengthen management, Su said the hog insurance system should be expanded to cover as many hogs as possible.