From the perspective of someone who works in animal husbandry, last week’s case of African swine fever (ASF) at a farm in Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲) is extremely alarming. From the abnormal pig deaths and the testing procedures to the handling of food waste, the entire process was sloppy — it is almost as if the local authorities were treating the nation’s entire disease prevention system as a joke. Each step revealed the lack of organization in the local government’s epidemic prevention measures — like a machine with loose screws scattered on the floor.
First, the abnormal deaths were not properly reported. The pigs had been dying for several days, yet the Taichung City Government failed to report it. Even more outrageous, epidemic prevention personnel had actually visited the site, but because the hog farm owner said that there was no issue, they simply left — failing even to take samples. That is a huge failure in any disease control operation.
Worse still, the records from the rendering truck did not match the actual situation. This was not a mere case of negligence — it was tampering with documents that left the intended destination of the infected pork unknown. Years of effort by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to build a proper reporting system were undone by a single dismissive “it’s fine.” Farmers get fined for missing one single form, yet officials can close a case based on a casual verbal explanation. Since when can disease control rely on assumptions and hearsay? That kind of attitude only guarantees the virus wins.
The method used for submitting the test samples was inadequate. According to media reports, the Taichung City Government sent the samples via the courier service T-Cat. These were viral specimens, not birthday cakes. Under epidemic prevention regulations, samples suspected of carrying a category-A zoonotic disease must be handled as if they are confirmed positive cases — kept under cold chain conditions, sealed and transported by authorized personnel. A single mistake along the way could lead to an outbreak.
Yet the local government ignored these guidelines and sent the samples through ordinary delivery. People involved in the industry would never dare to cut corners when submitting samples, but the government itself is taking the lead in ignoring regulations? This was not a trifling mistake in procedure, but a blatant disregard for the entire disease control system.
The final issue is the disposal of kitchen waste. Taichung reportedly disposes of kitchen waste through landfill or composting. Some of these landfill sites are located in mountainous areas, where wild animals often roam in search of food. If the waste is not completely buried or the sites lack strict management, it could easily lead to the spread of infection.
Taichung had once planned to rebuild a refuse incineration plant to address waste disposal issues, but the project has been delayed for years and remains incomplete. When the local government fails to manage even basic waste disposal, it is only natural that viruses would strike without mercy.
Epidemic prevention requires discipline, not luck. Animal husbandry professionals follow the proper protocols every day — constantly cleaning and disinfecting — yet the Taichung City Government cut corners, knowingly contravened regulations and defied science without any comprehensive plan. What has been sacrificed as a result is not only the pig-farming supply chain, but the entire national epidemic prevention system. If this lax and irresponsible attitude continues, it would not be long before there is not a single pig left in Taiwan.
Chang Shang-yang is a farmer.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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