III. Reinforcement of animal and plant health inspection and quarantine
In cooperation with the city and county governments, the COA continued vaccination programs in an attempt to eradicate classical swine fever (CSF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD). By the end of 2007, the vaccination rates for CSF and FMD had surpassed 81 percent. Monitoring efforts were enforced, and poultry and pig farms installed with net-wire to prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Stringent surveillance programs confirmed that Taiwan is free from rabies, bovine spongiform encephalopathies, HPAI, Mediterranean fruit flies, and codling moths. Consolidated efforts between the central and local governments have kept red imported fire ants (RIFA) at bay. Integrated pest managements was effective for large-scale controls of common cutworms ( Spodoptera litura) and oriental fruit flies ( Bactocera dorsalis) that resulted in substantial reductions on the use of agro-pesticides. Inspections on the abuse and misuse of agro-pesticides and veterinary drugs were also bolstered to ensure consumer safety.
In 2007, around 400 well-trained inspectors were stationed at livestock and poultry slaughterhouses nation-wide to conduct inspections on around 199.04 million heads/birds of poultry and livestock, strict inspection measures allowed Taiwan to export more and more farm products. Taiwan started to export ducklings, egg products, chicken meat, duck meat, and goose meat to South Korea; processed eggs and chicken meat, fresh duck meat, and pork to Singapore; fresh fruits to Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Chile and Australia; and Phalaenopsis seedlings with growing media to the United States. In 2007, inspections were conducted on about 0.45 million tons of animal and plant products for export and around 13.39 million tons of imported products. In the same period, 1,313 smuggled birds and 190 tons of illegally imported animal products were seized and destroyed.
To prevent exotic pests and diseases from entering Taiwan, 22 detector dogs along with their handlers were deployed at international airports, freight storage facilities, international postal centers, and Kinmen harbor to intercept smuggled products, which totaled about 55 tons in 2007.
