March 21, 2025

Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced that Taiwan is likely to be officially recognised as free from classical swine fever (CSF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in May.

Hsu Jung-pin, Director-General of the MOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), stated that Taiwan's application for CSF-free status has been approved by WOAH's Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases and is currently under a 60-day review period.

If no objections are raised by other WOAH member countries, the CSF-free designation will be confirmed during the General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates at the end of May. Hsu noted that objections must be supported by scientific evidence, making it highly likely that Taiwan will pass the review process.

CSF is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease that poses a significant risk to the pig farming industry. Taiwan recorded its last case of CSF in 2005 and has since implemented multiple measures to control the disease, including vaccine immunity programmes, monitoring and reporting systems, and enhanced biosecurity measures.

In July 2023, Taiwan discontinued CSF vaccinations and established a monitoring mechanism to assess whether the country was free from the virus. Border quarantine measures were also strengthened. Following this period of monitoring and evaluation, Taiwan submitted its application for CSF-free status to WOAH in August 2024.

A panel of WOAH experts reviewed Taiwan's quarantine strategies and monitoring data, determining that they met the standards outlined in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code for CSF-free countries. The application was approved on 20 February 2025.

If granted CSF-free certification, Taiwan will be the only country in Asia to be free from CSF, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever. The MOA stated that achieving this status could open discussions on quarantine conditions for exporting pork to Japan.

Taiwan has been promoting pork dishes made with locally sourced pork in Japan's market in recent years, generating interest among Japanese businesses, according to Hung Hsiao-chun, Deputy Head of the MOA's Department of International Affairs.

- Focus Taiwan