February 25, 2021

Taiwan increases fines for travellers carrying pork from Malaysia due to ASF

Taiwanese authorities will fine travellers who bring pork products from Malaysia NT$200,000 (US$7,178) after an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak was confirmed there, Focus Taiwan reported.

Arriving passengers with pork products from Malaysia will be fined NT$200,000, and repeat violators will be fined NT$1,000,000, according to Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).

The fine was increased from NT$30,000 for first time violators, following reports of ASF confirmed in Pitas, Sabah, Malaysia. The fine was NT$300,000 for second-time violators and NT$1 million for those who flouted the rules three times or more prior to the new ruling.

Malaysia was listed as an ASF high-risk nation since September 6, 2019, with travellers arriving from the country via air or sea subject to luggage checks.

Taiwan is on high alert for the virus, as it is concerned that an outbreak would badly affect its domestic swine sector.

- Focus Taiwan