Taiwan has been declared free of African swine fever (ASF), bringing the nation one step closer to being the only place in Asia unaffected by the three major swine diseases.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on October 31 formally approved Taiwan's application to be declared ASF-free, submitted in July, the Ministry of Agriculture said on November 1. It is now the second nation in East Asia to be granted the status after Japan.

If the WOAH approves Taiwan's application to be declared free of classical swine fever in May next year as hoped, it will be the first in Asia to be officially free of the three major swine diseases: foot-and-mouth disease, ASF and classical swine fever.

Taiwan was removed from the WOAH list of areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease in 2020.

The status will have significant implications for the nation's pork industry by opening new export market opportunities and easing the burden of vaccinations on farmers, the ministry said.

Taiwan-produced pigs and fresh pork can already be exported to the Philippines, and talks are underway with Singapore and Malaysia to permit the import of fresh pork, the ministry added.

- Taipei Times