THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the import ban on domestic and wild pigs and their products and by-products from Taiwan.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed the order recently through Department Circular 19, series of 2026.
The import restriction was imposed in 2025 due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Taiwan.
The DA circular lifting the ban cited reports from Taiwan veterinary authorities and delegates to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) attesting that the ASF cases have been resolved, and that there have been no additional outbreaks since.
Based on the provisions of Chapter 15.1 of the WOAH terrestrial Animal Health Code, Taiwan is now free from ASF.
Based on evaluations, the DA said that the risk of contamination is now negligible.
The circular is effective 15 days after its publication on the DA website and its filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.
In 2025, just before the ban, the Philippines imported 23,342 kilograms of pork from Taiwan.
In 2024, pork imports from Taiwan totaled 429,079 kg.
