Taiwan cracks down on pig farms using kitchen waste

Authorities are intensifying oversight of pig farms, installing monitoring systems and enforcing penalties to prevent African swine fever outbreaks.

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Taiwan cracks down on pig farms using kitchen waste

Legislation Management & Welfare porciNews Asia

Authorities in Taiwan are intensifying their crackdown on pig farms illegally using kitchen waste, imposing fines that can reach USD 125,000 (USD 1:TWD 31.96). According to the Taipei Times, these measures are part of broader efforts to protect the country’s African swine fever–free status.

Rising cases of illegal waste use

Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center for African swine fever (ASF) revealed 24 cases of illegal kitchen waste transport this year.

Twenty-two farms have already been fined, while two cases in Taichung and Miaoli remain under investigation. Officials stressed that pig farmers must strictly follow epidemic prevention rules to safeguard the industry.

Smaller farms pose higher risks

The violations involved 23 pig farms, with one farm caught twice. Among them:

✅ 6 farms housed 200 or more pigs.
✅ 11 farms had between 20 and 199 pigs.
✅ 6 farms kept fewer than 20 pigs.

This means nearly 74% of non-compliant farms had fewer than 200 pigs, highlighting risks among smaller operations. Additionally, eight farms with more than 20 pigs lacked proper registration, breaching the Animal Industry Act.

Stronger monitoring and enforcement

Authorities are stepping up inspections and penalties. Farms failing to register will face sanctions, while those already registered but non-compliant will undergo high-risk site inspections.

To strengthen oversight, 243 farms with permission to use kitchen waste now have real-time monitoring systems, and 453 vehicles are equipped with GPS trackers to track waste disposal routes.

During a joint inspection in Taichung’s Longjing District, officials found a farm with 23 pigs illegally receiving kitchen waste. The farm mixed feed with rice, ham, and bones, violating feed rules. Blood samples from three pigs tested negative for ASF, but the farm was placed under a 15-day movement ban.

Heavier fines imposed on violators

Taiwan has introduced stricter fines to deter violations:

✅ USD 6260 for a first offense of transporting kitchen waste.
✅ USD 15,650 for a second offense.
✅ USD 31,300 for a third and subsequent offenses.

For farms feeding kitchen waste to pigs without approval, fines start at USD 6260 and can reach USD 94,000. Combined violations of transport and feeding rules can result in penalties of USD 12,500 to USD 125,000.

Officials emphasized that strict enforcement is essential to maintain Taiwan’s ASF-free standing, which is critical for both domestic food security and international trade. By targeting unregistered and small-scale violators, authorities aim to close loopholes that could endanger the swine industry.