To prevent the invasion of African Swine Fever (ASF), National Immigration Agency (NIA) has created information sheets in Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Cambodian, Burmese, English, and Chinese to remind immigrants and Taiwan nationals not to purchase or receive parcels & gifts containing meat products.
NIA stated that ASF is an acute, highly contagious viral disease characterized by a short course of onset but a high mortality rate. It is transmitted from wild boars to domestic pigs, and then from Africa to all parts of the world, including Taiwan.
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NIA reminds immigrants to Keep African swine fever (ASF) at bay. (Photo / Provided by Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine)
The mobile service unit of National Immigration Agency (Keelung City Service Center) often traveled to Foreign Fishermen Union in Keelung and visited food stalls owned by immigrants. Besides, the NIA personnel also showed their care to immigrants from Vietnam by visiting their home, as well as explained how ASF is transmitted from food waste to livestock in Taiwan.
The public is reminded not to bring raw meat or processed food to Taiwan. (Photo / Provided by NIA)
Mao Zhao Li (毛兆莉), the Director of Keelung City Service Center, appealed to the public not to buy or bring any meat products to Taiwan, no matter it is raw meat or processed food.
NIA emphasized that the people bringing pork products from ASF-infected zones will be fined up to 1 million New Taiwan dollars. If the individuals are unable to pay, they will be refused to enter Taiwan. If the individuals violate the regulations by sending or purchasing pork products from abroad to Taiwan, one can be sentenced to a maximum of 7-year imprisonment and a fine of 3 million New Taiwan dollars. To protect Taiwan’s livestock industry and health of the public, everyone needs to put in their effort and share the information to others.