All inbound travelers to Taiwan would have their luggage X-rayed at airports to check for pork products, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said today.
Local health bureaus have also been instructed to further increase the number of market inspections as of this week, he said.
Photo: CNA
The announcement came after African swine fever was detected in Taichung last week.
The Legislative Yuan today invited relevant ministries and agencies to report on the detection and prevention of meat smuggling in overseas parcels, strengthening national borders against epidemics and continuing to enhance domestic prevention of an African swine fever outbreak.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), in coordination with the Customs Administration under the Ministry of Finance, would soon require all passengers from all destinations to undergo animal and plant quarantine inspection, Shih said.
Previously, travelers inbound from countries with risk of African swine fever were handed a “red card” before passing immigration and had carry-on luggage X-rayed for pork products.
Travelers from countries not deemed to be at risk of African swine fever were handed a “green card” and allowed to pass straight through to immigration.
All incoming parcels are currently subject to X-ray screening or manual inspections by the Customs Administration, although X-ray screening is to be expanded, Shih said.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is continuing to inspect vendors and supermarkets selling meat products, including shops selling Southeast Asian goods, he said.
As of this month, a total of 35,000 inspections have been carried out with no cases of African swine fever detected in illegally imported meat products, he added.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency is also coordinating with the Customs Administration and the Coast Guard Administration to inspect inbound travelers, cargo containers, express parcels and coastal fishing vessels, the Ministry of Agriculture said.
The agencies have further implemented strict procedures for the disposal of kitchen waste from international flights and cruise ships, it added.
Additional reporting by Lin Chi-yi
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