In response to the implementation of the collection of water pollution control fees on animal husbandry and the initiative to build a friendly agricultural production environment since 2017, the Council of Agriculture (COA) and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) have begun from 2015 to intensify the promotion of livestock manure reutilization for farmland as natural fertilizer in order to reduce chemical fertilizer usage so as to maintain the soil fertility and sustainable development of agricultural production.

The COA achieved moderate success in effectively promoting the reutilization of livestock manure as fertilizer on farmland

　　The COA stated that in order to achieve sustainable utilization of agricultural resources, it has counseled livestock farming sectors and individual farmers since 2011 to jointly apply for the Livestock Manure Transportation and Reutilization on Farmland permit in accordance with the Agricultural Waste Reutilization Regulation. Thus far, a total of 14 cases are registered and located in Taoyuan City, Taichung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Tainan City, and Kaohsiung City. The initial cases cited in this instance of usable livestock manure came from raised pig pens, solid-liquid separated pig manure, and anaerobically treated cow manure which were applied to fertilize crops such as rice, silage corn, vegetables, and pasture. This program successfully economizes the use of irrigation water and fertilizer.

Set up counseling team to further promote sustainable use of resources

　　The COA further explained that the livestock farm sustainable resources service system was established to advocate and counsel livestock farms, farmers or industry associations to jointly apply for individual Livestock Manure Reutilization on Farmland permit. At the same time, in collaboration with related waste fertilizer promotion projects of relevant environmental protection agencies, the Council also vows to extensively promote the concept of recycling livestock manure for agriculture. The aim is to integrate the joint efforts of agricultural and environmental protection institutions, as well as farming industrial associations so that not only the cost of livestock waste water treatment could be reduced but also irrigation water and fertilizer used on farmland could be economized. The long term objective is to achieve the sustainable cycle of nitrogen resources between agricultural production and natural environment.