Shuanghui Crispy Sausage Contaminated with African Swine Fever Nearly Entered the Country; First Positive Sample Intercepted
Our country has intercepted a positive African swine fever sample for the first time! After South Korea in August and Japan in September successively detected African swine fever virus in sausages carried by travelers from China, our country today (the 31st) also announced that a Chinese-made sausage product, "Shuanghui Crispy Sausage," was found in an agricultural product discard bin at the border of the Kinmen Mini Three Links. After genetic comparison, it was a 100% match with African swine fever virus nucleic acid.
The Council of Agriculture stated that the positive sample was collected and sent for testing by quarantine personnel before entering the country, so it did not enter our country's territory. It also pointed out that the sample was voluntarily discarded by a traveler in the discard bin, showing that the government's awareness campaign has been effective and that the public is cooperating to prevent the epidemic.
Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine: The Mini Three Links, traveler carry-ins, and fishing boats are the three main transmission channels for the epidemic
To prevent the epidemic from entering our country, since August of this year the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine has been inspecting carry-on and large baggage of travelers on inbound flights from China at various airports and ports. Those who illegally carry Chinese pork products face a maximum fine of 15,000 yuan under the law, and 99 citations have been issued so far. At the same time, the Bureau has also activated a border inspection mechanism, sampling and testing confiscated items from travelers, airport discard bins, and disinfection mats for inbound travelers. From August 27 to October 30, 306 meat product samples and 690 mat samples have been tested.
Feng Haidong, Director-General of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, said that quarantine station personnel inspect the meat in discard bins every day and destroy it all, so it will not enter the market. At the same time, he stressed that the Mini Three Links, traveler carry-ins, and fishing boats are the most important transmission channels for the epidemic. The Bureau will maintain the intensity of its inspections. In addition to continuing the two checkpoints of X-ray equipment and quarantine dogs for inbound travelers, it is also working to amend the law to raise the maximum fine to 300,000 yuan, which has already been sent to the Legislative Yuan for review. It hopes travelers will not defy the law.
If one pig gets sick, the entire pig farm may fall
Huang Jincheng reiterated that the African swine fever virus is very strong. Once one pig gets sick, the entire pig farm may fall. African swine fever also does not have a vaccine like foot-and-mouth disease does. Once an outbreak occurs, it is very difficult to eliminate from the environment. "The only option is to cull, cull until no pigs get sick anymore."
He stressed that to prevent the invasion of African swine fever, the public is urged to fully cooperate with policy, and livestock farmers should avoid visiting ranches or slaughterhouses in countries with outbreaks. Pig farms that use kitchen waste for feed must also comply with Environmental Protection Administration regulations: kitchen waste must be cooked at high temperature with continuous stirring, maintained at a core temperature above 90°C, and cooked for at least 1 hour before it can be fed to pigs.