How Taiwan Pig Industry Became a Global Benchmark for Resilience After ASF Breakout in 2025
Taiwan might have achieved what might be a historic milestone in Asia swine farming; the successful containment of African Swine Fever (ASF) while moving toward becoming “Triple-Disease Free” (ASF, FMD, and CSF).
Following the 3-month containment period with no new ASF case, the Ministry of Agriculture has submitted an application to the World Organization for Animal Health to restore Taiwan’s ASF-free status on February 21, 2026. This highlights Taiwan’s strict biosecurity measures to ensure food security through proactive government policies and strategic farm-modernization incentives.
With the ASF-free submission, Taiwan continues to tighten its border and introduced new measurements to ensure limited ASF breakout. From new implemented protocols to new government subsidies, the small island at the waters off the southeast coast of China continues to impress other countries with its swift reaction to current livestock challenges.
Preventative & Transition Pre ASF Outbreak
Taiwan is currently focusing on preventive measures to keep it’s ASF free status. Beyond border control, the government is implementing several structural changes to ensure the 2025 Taichung outbreak remains an isolated event; some as below :
1. Clean Feed Transition
Starting from early 2026, food-waste has been banned to be fed to pigs following the first case started. This transition opens the opportunity for innovative pig feed and alternative protein. With strict oversight on farms using business food waste are required to use GPS-tracked transport and video-monitored heat treatment system, this full nationwide ban is scheduled to take measures in December 31, 2026 with full ban in 2027.
2. Nationwide Biosecurity Audits & Monitoring
In support of the re-application to WOAH, the Ministry of Agriculture has expanded its field-level inspections. This include deploying additional early warning & monitoring systems nationwide, to biosecurity audits on nationwide pig farm to ensure swine farm housing meets the international standards.
3. Government Subsidies for Modernization
The government is providing subsidies for the in the phased ban on food-waste feeding, which will be fully implemented by 2027 with 1-year transition. The subsidies include :
- NT$3,600 per head for early adopters switching to commercial grain feed.
- NT$1,800 per head for those transitioning throughout 2026.
- Up to NT$3 Million per farm in modernization grants for closed-loop housing.
Traditional Transition to Modern Technologies and Trends
With the current transition of waste feeding, AgriLivestock & Feed Taiwan, held from September 8-10 2026, brings together feed innovators and livestock waste technology providers making this resilience possible from;
- Autonomous Bisosecurity : From AI-powered camera and health sensors that detect early signs of respiratory distress and heat at livestock farms 24/7
- Labor-Saving Automation : Solving the labor shortage crisis through robotic feeding and smart environmental controls, reducing manual labor by 40%
- Net-Zero Focus: Converting livestock waste into biogas energy increasing revenue streams.
This provides an onsite experience for attendees to explore Taiwan’s turnkey technologies and innovations in the swine industry while connecting with industry experts.
References :
- Government to phase out feeding food waste to pigs
- Ministry reapplies for ASF-free status after outbreak - Taipei Times
- Taiwan: ASF Triggers Ban of Food Waste in Hog Feed | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
- Prevent African Swine Fever! Taichung Customs Urges the Public Not to Bring or Send Pork Products to Taiwan-Ministry of Finance, R.O.C
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