Pig farmers and feed dealers in Pingtung and Kaohsiung counties in southern Taiwan have been using and selling feed containing illegal additives, according to prosecutors.
Investigators found eight people suspected of involvement and seized 23 kg of antipyretic and analgesic active pharmaceutical ingredients, APIs, along with more than 800 kg of unlabeled additives. Under a January 23 amendment to the Veterinary Drugs Control Act, livestock farmers who use illicit drugs can be fined NT$60,000 (US$2,033) to NT$300,000, while repeat offenders can be fined between NT$500,000 and NT$2.5 million.
Also under the amendment, those guilty of manufacturing or importing and selling forbidden veterinary drugs can be sentenced up to seven years in prison, or life in prison if the offense results in the death of a person, and can be sentenced to between three years and seven years if the drug causes serious bodily harm.
