The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) was formally established on August 1, 1998. It consists of four branches which are the Keelung, Hsinchu, Taichung and Kaohsiung branches. All four branches are jointly responsible for all affairs pertaining to Plant and Animal Inspection and Quarantine of Taiwan.

The BAPHIQ has the following divisions: Planning, Animal Health Inspection, Animal Quarantine, Plant Protection, Plant Quarantine and Meat Inspection Divisions.  They work closely together to safeguard and ensure the quality and sanitation of all agricultural products entering Taiwan.  In addition, the Bureau is responsible for quarantine services and prevention and control of important animal and plant diseases and pests. These measure promote the development of Taiwan’s agriculture, protect natural resources and safeguard the health of our people. 

In recent years, Taiwan has experienced an increase in bilateral trade with other countries.  This implies that there is an increase in risks associated with pest and disease infection.  There have been outbreaks of new types of animal and plant associated pests and diseases; together with the massive increases in the international exchange of goods and flow of people, plant and animal inspection and quarantine have become paramount. One notable animal disease outbreak was the foot and mouth disease in 1997 caused by illegal smuggling of animal products.  This outbreak heavily impacted the swine population in Taiwan; also worth noting was the avian influenza outbreak in early 2015.  Therefore, the role that the BAPHIQ plays is crucial in ensuring the food safety and safeguarding agricultural products in Taiwan.

Looking into the future, the BAPHIQ is committed to maintaining the health of animals and plants, agricultural product safety and ensuring the food safety of produce.  Therefore, all the divisions within BAPHIQs will work closely together to ensure that all our objectives are achieved.