TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Executive Yuan (行政院) announced on Thursday (Oct. 17) that the government will continue negotiations with dairy producers to meet school demands, emphasizing that even extended shelf-life (ESL) milk must be made entirely from domestic-produced milk.
This commitment comes amid debates over the "Fresh Milk for Every Class" policy, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部) and the Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部) for the 2024 school year.
In particular, the New Taipei City Government's Department of Education (教育局) reported that approximately 80% of 212 elementary schools have opted for ESL milk instead of fresh milk. However, due to limited supply and delivery capabilities from contracted suppliers, schools still face a shortfall of over 780,000 bottles monthly.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) acknowledged in a recent Legislative Yuan session that the policy lacked foresight at its launch, and he has called for a comprehensive review next year.
Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) stated at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that the government has received numerous suggestions since implementing the policy and will continue negotiations to improve the current approach.
As New Zealand dairy products will face zero tariffs in Taiwan by 2025, the MOA and MOE are promoting a project to ensure public elementary schools and affiliated kindergartens supply traceable domestic dairy products twice weekly.
Statistics from the MOA, as of Oct. 1, reveal that over 70% of schools in seven counties prefer ESL milk. This preference underscores the challenges faced in shifting to fresh milk.
Stakeholders await further developments as the government seeks to adjust the policy for better alignment with school needs and domestic production capabilities.