May 7, 2013

Taiwanese investigators have held eight feed dealers and pig farmers on the suspicion of selling and using feed containing illegal additives.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) under the Council of Agriculture said on Saturday (May 4) investigators seized 23 kilogrammes of antipyretic and analgesic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), along with more than 800 kilogrammes of unlabelled additives.

Since an amendment to the Veterinary Drugs Control Act was declared on January 23, the penalties for illegal production, importing or use of animal drugs have been increased.

Under the amendment, livestock farmers who use illicit drugs can be fined TWD60,000 (US$2,033) to TWD300,000 (US$10,154), while repeat offenders can be fined between TWD500,000 (US$17,000) and TWD2.5 million (US$84,600).

Under the amendment, those guilty of manufacturing or importing and selling forbidden veterinary drugs can be sentenced up to seven years in prison, or life in prison if the offense results in the death of a person, and can be sentenced to between three years and seven years if the drug causes serious bodily harm.