Historic Animal Health Milestone Recognized by WOAH
In a major achievement for global swine health, Taiwan has been officially recognized as free from African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), making it the first country in Asia to attain this status.
Premier Cho Jung-tai announced the news in a Facebook post on Thursday, sharing that the designation was confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The announcement marks the culmination of a decades-long government and industry effort that began after the devastating 1997 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
“This is a victory for the entire nation,” Cho said, crediting successive governments and the unwavering commitment of frontline disease control teams, customs officials, pig farmers, meat processors, and the public. “We did it.”
Taiwan’s FMD-free status was officially recognized in 2020. When African swine fever swept through China and much of Asia in 2018, Taiwan responded with swift and strict border controls. WOAH declared the island virus-free in 2024.
The eradication of classical swine fever—dating back to Taiwan’s Japanese colonial era—was achieved through years of targeted vaccination and rigorous environmental monitoring.
Cho specifically praised former Premier Su Tseng-chang and former Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung for their leadership, and encouraged current Agriculture Minister Chen Chun-chi to maintain Taiwan’s vigilance.
This milestone stands as a model of disease control success in the global pork industry—highlighting the importance of consistent biosecurity, transparent governance, and industry-wide cooperation.
