The Ministry of Agriculture estimated that if African swine fever were to spread nationwide, it could affect economic output worth nearly NT$200 billion (US$6.5 billion).

Taiwan on Wednesday reported its first suspected case of African swine fever, prompting the government to impose a five-day nationwide ban on the transport and slaughter of pigs and prohibit the use of kitchen waste as pig feed. 

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) on Thursday briefed lawmakers on the outbreak and fielded questions from both the ruling and opposition parties over its potential impact on Taiwan’s pork industry.

“In the short term, the ban on transport and slaughter will have an impact, but we will try to release frozen pork reserves... If containment fails, losses in the pig industry alone could reach NT$80 billion, while related industries could lose more than NT$100 billion,” Chen said.

Chen said genetic sequencing of the suspected sample has been completed, with preliminary results indicating African swine fever. The ministry will make a formal report once sequencing is confirmed. Possible sources of infection include contaminated food waste, smuggled pork, human carriers, or lapses in biosecurity, he added.

The ministry plans to strengthen disinfection at slaughterhouses and markets, release frozen pork to stabilize supply, and replace pork with other meats in school lunch programs.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Wednesday convened an emergency response meeting, ordering all ministries to enforce the highest-level containment measures and intensify border inspections to prevent the virus from spreading further.