The Philippines bans pork imports from Taiwan on ASF outbreak

The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the import of live pigs, along with pork meat, pig skin, and other related products from Taiwan, following confirmation of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak on October 25.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the immediate moratorium covering live pigs and all pork-derived commodities, including semen used for artificial insemination. The order takes effect immediately and will remain in force unless formally revoked.

Under the order, all previously approved Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for pigs and pork-related products from Taiwan are automatically revoked. Applications for new import clearances for the affected items are suspended until further notice. Veterinary quarantine officers at all major ports are directed to stop and confiscate any shipments containing restricted commodities.

The swift action reflects lessons learned from previous ASF waves in the Philippines, which caused massive losses for local hog raisers and pushed pork prices higher nationwide. While pockets of ASF remain under control in parts of the Philippines, agriculture officials say preventing the entry of new strains is vital to stabilizing the sector and restoring investor confidence.