September 23, 2008

Taiwan's quarantine authorities promised to step up border inspections in the wake of information that a batch of Canadian pork is being shipped to Taiwan from FMD-infected Vietnam.

Observers said the shipment, if allowed into Taiwan, could dismantle the country's efforts to be listed as a fully FMD-free country. Taiwan is currently listed by the OIE as an "FMD-free country with vaccination".

Pan Lien Chou, president of the Republic of China Swine Association, said that a shipment of 3,000 tonnes of fresh Canadian pork was refused entry for unknown reasons after arriving in Vietnam about two months ago.

Pan said the Vietnamese importer then sold the pork to a Taiwanese buyer at a low price of US$0.70 per pound in a bid to reduce losses.

Taiwan restricts fresh meat imports from FMD-infected countries, including imports from FMD-free countries that have stopped over in FMD-infected countries en route to Taiwan.