PH gov't lifts ban on pork imports from Taiwan

The Philippine government has lifted its ban on the importation of pigs and pork products from Taiwan, following confirmation that the African swine fever (ASF) situation in the island has been resolved.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Department Circular No. 19, series of 2026, which removes the restrictions previously imposed in December 2025.

The earlier ban covered live domestic and wild pigs and their products and by-products, including pork meat, pig skin, and semen, due to an ASF outbreak.

The lifting order, dated April 20, 2026, was issued after Taiwan reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health that its ASF case had been officially declared resolved, with no subsequent outbreaks recorded.

“Based on the evaluation of the DA, the risk of contamination from importing live pigs, pork meat, pig skin, and semen is negligible,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that importation of the covered commodities may resume, provided they comply with existing Department of Agriculture rules and regulations, particularly for products slaughtered or produced after the issuance of the order.

The DA said the decision was based on updated animal health assessments and international reporting standards aimed at ensuring both food safety and the stability of domestic livestock supply.

The Philippines had earlier imposed the ban as part of biosecurity measures to prevent the entry and spread of ASF, a highly contagious animal disease that has severely affected the hog industry in several countries, including the Philippines.

With the lifting of the restriction, importers are expected to resume shipments from Taiwan under existing veterinary and sanitary protocols.—MCG, GMA News