1. Pingtung Hog Farm Caught Feeding Food Waste; MOA Reiterates Strict Penalties for Violators

A joint inspection team of the Pingtung County Government on November 26 uncovered a hog farm in Changzhi Township that was illegally feeding pigs with food waste. The farm was fined NT$800,000 in accordance with the Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act and related regulations, and surrounding areas of the site have been disinfected. Minister of Agriculture Chen Jun-chi reiterated on December 12 that during the food-waste feeding ban, any violations will be strictly punished. He added that pigs from the offending farm are prohibited from entering the market for 15 days. Minister Chen noted that since the ban on feeding pigs with food waste was implemented, nine cases of illegal use have been identified, demonstrating that local authorities continue to conduct rigorous inspections. He stressed that during the ban period, and before the official resumption of food-waste feeding, the practice remains strictly prohibited. The Ministry of Agriculture has begun installing food-waste steaming facilities and will also assist affected operators in transitioning to alternative practices.

2. Fisheries Agency Explores Trainee Seafarer Program to Ease Labor Shortages

To address chronic labor shortages in the fisheries sector, the Fisheries Agency is planning a “trainee seafarer program” that would allow the public to assist onboard designated fishing vessels after completing short-term training and obtaining certification.　Following an earlier consultation with recreational fishing groups in October, the agency on December 8 convened a meeting in Kaohsiung with fishermen’s associations and local fisheries authorities to discuss program design and related measures, including training, certification, insurance, participating vessels, and membership eligibility.　Fisheries Agency Director-General Wang Mao-cheng said Taiwan’s declining birth rate and aging population have led to severe manpower shortages, while past incentive-based recruitment efforts have had limited impact. He noted that Taiwan has around two million recreational anglers and said guiding some to become part-time fishers or trainee seafarers could help bolster the offshore workforce.Wang emphasized that while success is not guaranteed, exploring new approaches is necessary to address structural labor challenges in the fisheries industry.