The Philippines is to allow the import of pigs and pork products from Taiwan starting May 14, following the nation’s African swine fever (ASF)-free recertification early this month, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday
On April 6, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) restored Taiwan’s ASF-free status after the nation contained its first local outbreak originating on a pig farm in Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲) discovered on in October last year.
WOAH had recognized Taiwan’s ASF-free self-declaration in May last year, making it the first Asian country to achieve disease-free status for African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and classical swine fever.
Photo: Taipei Times file
However, Taiwan reported its first-ever ASF case in Taichung on October 21 last year.
The affected farm was cleaned and disinfected, and all samples collected after Nov. 21, 2025 came back negative. The case was then formally closed and reported to WOAH on Jan. 23 this year in accordance with required procedures.
The Ministry of Agriculture submitted an application on Feb. 21 to regain self-declared ASF-free status, which was recognized by the WOAH this month.
Writing in a Facebook post, Cho said the Filipino agricultural authorities have issued a notice to Taiwan’s representative office stating that restrictions on the import from Taiwan of frozen pork, pig skin and offal, stud swines and sperm used for breeding would be lifted next month.
The news followed the heels of a similar announcement from Singapore permitting Taiwan to export fresh pork to the city-state on April 11, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a news release.
Taiwanese agricultural officials requested their Filipino counterparts to prepare to expedite the resumption of normal pork trade in December, after ascertaining that all SWF instances had been eliminated, it said.
The nation on Feb 21 filed for WOAH and Manila to certify Taiwan as ASF free, then applied for Manila’s permission to import with days, the ministry said, adding that both parties had full confidence in the nation’s competence in managing animal diseases.
In 2023, Taiwan first obtained authorization to export fresh pork from six producers to the Philippines, which had until then only allowed only frozen pork, it said.
Manila the following year conducted on-site inspections to allow four Taiwanese producers to export pig offal and skin and seven producers to export stud swines, the ministry said.
The ministry continues to expand the international market for Taiwanese pork--especially Japan and Malaysia-- by assuring trade partners that Taiwanese agricultural practices are trustworthy and safe, it said.
Diversified export partners is key to the development of Taiwan’s agricultural and animal husbandry sector, the ministry said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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