Singapore Resumes Imports of Taiwanese Pork; Tung Chen-yuan: Food Safety and Trade Mutual Trust Upgraded

Tung Chen-yuan told CNA tonight that this decision is not just a trade advancement, but also a high affirmation of Taiwan's long-standing capabilities in animal disease prevention, food safety, and industry management.

Tung Chen-yuan stated that over the past year, Taiwan faced epidemic challenges and successfully controlled risks with swift, transparent, and stringent epidemic prevention measures, regaining the trust of the international market. The Singaporean market is no stranger to Taiwanese pork; as early as the end of 2024, Taiwanese pork returned to Singapore after a 15-year hiatus, gradually establishing its quality and brand image. "Now, the resumption of imports symbolizes another upgrade in mutual trust between both sides in food safety and trade."

He pointed out that for Taiwan, it not only helps the agricultural and food industries expand overseas markets but also allows more Singaporean consumers to taste Taiwan's high-quality, safe, and uniquely flavored pork products. For Singapore, it is an important step towards diversifying food sources and enhancing supply resilience.

"Taiwan will continue to uphold food safety with the most stringent standards and embrace the world with the most open attitude," Tung Chen-yuan said, expressing anticipation that friends in Singapore will soon see "Made in Taiwan" delicious choices in the market again.

Taiwan was certified as a "Classical Swine Fever Free Country" by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in late May last year, becoming the only country in Asia to simultaneously hold the status of "free from the three major pig diseases" (Classical Swine Fever, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and African Swine Fever). However, in October of the same year, Taiwan detected its first case of African Swine Fever, and the related epidemic event was reported to WOAH and concluded on January 23 this year.

Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture announced on the 6th that Taiwan had received WOAH approval ahead of schedule to resume its self-declared African Swine Fever free zone status, making Taiwan once again the only country in Asia free from the "three major pig diseases" of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and African Swine Fever. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150409