According to a news report from Taiwan News, the Chairman of Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture (COA), Minister Chen Chi-chung recently announced that Taiwan is on track to being declared a swine flu-free nation. If it continues on this path, Taiwan will be declared swine-flu free by 2024. At that point, it will be the first Asian nation to do so.

In a government-issued press release, Chen said that pigs bred for meat in Taiwan will no longer need to be vaccinated against swine flu. The suspension began January 1, 2023. According to the same release, the COA plans to suspend all vaccination programs for breeding pigs by July 2023 as well. 

Provided no outbreaks are reported, Taiwan will apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) for recognition as being swine-flu free. Taiwanese officials expect the recognition will open markets for the country's pork products.