TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's pig farming industry leader Pan Lien-chou (潘連周) challenged Tuesday (Dec. 2) the government's year-long transition period before banning food waste in pig farming in 2027. Pan's comments followed a meeting with the African Swine Fever Forward Command Center (非洲豬瘟中央災害應變中心) a day earlier, which addressed November's outbreak in Taichung, Taiwan's third-largest city.
Officials attributed the outbreak to unsterilized food waste fed to pigs. The Monday meeting announced plans for a transition period beginning in 2026 before completely banning food waste in pig farming in 2027. Pan argued the time frame is excessive, stating the fight against African swine fever requires urgent and decisive action.
Following discussions with local governments, the response center decided to allow business food waste, animal by-products, and slaughterhouse scraps during the transition period, provided they meet four specific conditions. However, the center will not permit household food waste use. Officials emphasized the four conditions would ensure safety standards during the transition.
Pan urged authorities to impose a complete ban on both household and business food waste during the transition period. He advocated for exclusive use of poultry by-products, which are not affected by African swine fever, to protect black pig farmers' livelihoods. Pan warned a resurgence of African swine fever in Taiwan could increase reliance on imported pork. ◼