Authorities suspect that triplicate forms documenting the disposal of dead pigs were tampered with, leading to discrepancies in reported figures as Taiwan responds to its first confirmed case of African swine fever, the Taichung City Government said today.
Evidence was sent to prosecutors for investigation on Sunday and yesterday, Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin (鄭照新) told a news conference this morning at the African swine fever response unit.
Those responsible would be prosecuted if found to have contravened the Criminal Code for forgery, he said.
Photo: Taipei Times
The triplicate forms play a key role in mortality statistics and case investigations for African swine fever, with one copy kept by the rendering plant, one by local animal health authorities and one by the hog farmer, officials said.
Regarding the economic impact of Taichung’s African swine fever outbreak, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said that 400 fresh meat vendors in the city were affected by supply shortages, with some forced to close.
Public markets would temporarily waive rental fees, and central and local governments are working to provide additional compensation, she said.
Meanwhile, a veterinarian surnamed Wang (王) who was consulted by the farm where the outbreak was detected was questioned by prosecutors today.
He left the country after the incident, but returned to Taiwan yesterday, prosecutors said.
This morning, he was summoned for questioning to ascertain if there had been any contraventions of the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease (動物傳染病防治條例), they said.
He was released after questioning as a witness and consented to have his mobile phone examined for evidence, they added.
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