TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's government extended a critical ban on pig slaughter and transport for an additional 10 days Monday (Oct. 27) amid an ongoing African swine fever outbreak. The decision creates mounting economic pressure on the island's pig farming industry, with Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) reporting that approximately 75,000 pigs have remained unprocessed within 15 days, driving up feeding costs.
Pig farmers in Changhua County expressed grave concerns about devastating market consequences once restrictions are lifted. Industry representatives fear approximately 300,000 pigs will flood the market simultaneously, causing prices to collapse. Current pork prices range from NT$92 to NT$95 per kilogram (around US$3.00 to US$3.09) but could plummet to NT$30 per kilogram (around US$0.98).
Wu Ying-chi (吳英吉), head of the Yunlin Pig Farmers' Association, urged the government to implement a price-guarantee purchase policy. The measure would help mitigate devastating farmer losses from the extended transport ban. Agriculture Minister Chen Chun-chi (陳駿季) acknowledged the policy's significant impact and announced a comprehensive subsidy plan for Monday (Oct. 27).
In coordinated relief efforts, Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen (盧秀燕) responded by waiving stall usage fees for 193 pork vendors across the city's public markets. The emergency measure aims to ease operational burdens and help stabilize the local pork industry amid the ongoing African swine fever crisis affecting Taiwan's agricultural sector.