(1) Upgrading the quality and safety of domestically produced fresh pork

A. Separate track management and labeling of domestic pork vs. imported pork

To protect the rights and interests of consumers, the COA continued strengthening the use of traceability labels on domestic pork to make it possible to trace the meat back to the source farm, to achieve the goal of differentiating domestic from imported frozen meat products. In 2018 the coverage rate for domestic fresh pork traceability signs was 70%. Following checks at 605 businesses with market sales channels, all conformed to regulations for indicating place (country) of origin for their pork and whether it was thawed or frozen meat.

B. Promoting transactions in graded carcasses

The COA uses the gradual demonstration effect to promote the modernization of the domestic fresh meat industry. We have guided meat markets to set up affiliated slaughterhouses, and promoted the simultaneous improvement of carcass transport vehicles and traditional butchers’ stalls. We have also invited experts and scholars to study “the most suitable conditions for a cold chain for domestic fresh pork,” for reference in promoting a modernized supply chain for fresh meat, in order to extend the expiration date of fresh pork and upgrade the competitiveness of the nation’s livestock industry.

C. Modernizing the transport and marketing of meat products

Consumers in Taiwan have always been in the habit of buying freshly-slaughtered pork in traditional markets. This makes meat stall operators unwilling to switch over to sales of temperature-controlled meat. Over the last two years the COA has used gradual methods to guide carcass holding areas at slaughterhouses, carcass transport vehicles, and traditional butchers’ stalls to install temperature control equipment to serve as demonstration points. Through the demonstration effect, we promoted the “plan for modernization of the domestic fresh meat supply chain,” and from 2017 through 2018 guided 16 slaughterhouses, 96 carcass transport vehicles, and 211 traditional butchers’ stalls to set up temperature control equipment and improve the sanitation of their environments. In 2018 the COA completed subsidizing the installation of temperature control equipment and improved sanitation for six slaughterhouses, 35 carcass transport vehicles, and 92 traditional butchers’ stalls. The overall improvement from the carcass holding areas to end-user consumers has generated a new image for domestic pork, while the construction of cold chain logistics to preserve the freshness of domestic pork has effectively upgraded its quality and safety and raised the competitiveness of the domestic livestock industry.

(2) Stabilizing the supply and marketing of live pigs

A. Raising the livability rate of pigs

To upgrade pig livability starting from germplasm performance, in 2018 there were 3,275 registered head, while 3,297 breeding pigs were tested and verified. The COA has also established a demonstration testing station with a group-feeding individual-testing system, in order to increase our capabilities for testing breeding pigs. We also did follow-up tracking of 3,062 head of descendants of breeding pigs in order to confirm the performance of the breeding pigs. The COA further promoted a core group of minimal disease breeding pigs and 12 breeding pig farms were free from pseudorabies. Moreover, we continued to implement a program for pig-raising experts from Denmark to come to Taiwan to give training sessions, with more than 300 participants, thereby encouraging modernization of pig farms. Finally, the COA guided 32 farms of pig-raising businesses to adopt new production methods based on different places, batches, and ages; the livability rates for pigs at the guided farms increased by more than 10%.

B. The transformation and modernization of the pig-raising industry

To advance the transformation and modernization of the pig-raising industry, the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (TARI), working with the Livestock Research Institute and domestic experts and scholars, formed consultation teams of experts in pig-raising. The COA (i) introduced pig-raising production technology meeting international standards, (ii) organized training classes for raising pigs using 4-stage modularization, (iii) organized a pig-raising production medicine website with relevant information database and effectively provided this for the use of industry, and (iv) continued to guide pig-raising businesses to adopt a new model of pig-raising based on different batches, ages and places. We also resolved the problems of environmental protection, disease, and poor operational efficiency at small- and medium-sized pig farms, guiding them toward modernized and sustainable operations. The COA moreover assisted the Taiwan Sugar Corporation to continue to improve their pig-breeding farms, to serve as demonstration points for small scale “circular agriculture pig production designated parks.” In addition, we asked the TARI to organize a“circular agriculture pig-raising special zone planning committee,” which completed planning for pig buildings for a pig-raising special zone of 400,000 head of pigs marketed annually and also produced a handbook for pig buildings that conform to independent biosecurity standards.

(3) Promoting the reuse of biogas at pig farms

Following the rise of the issue of reducing greenhouse gases worldwide, recently the development of renewable energy and the circular economy have gotten increasing attention, and excrement and urine wastewater at pig farms has come to be seen as a resource. Relevant environmental laws and regulations have been adapted and adjusted, permitting not only a return of pig waste to farmland as a fertilizer ingredient, but also in hopes of substantially reusing the biogas produced in the treatment of excrement and urine wastewater. Because the global warming potential (GWP) of methane, the major component in biogas, is 25 times that of carbon dioxide, if it can be effectively collected and reused or burned to produce electrical power, not only will this increase diversification of energy sources, it will reduce methane emissions, and it can achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gases while increasing the income of pig farms, thereby achieving several goals at once.

Starting in 2018, besides continuing to guide the generation of power using biogas, the COA combined this with guidance of other forms of reuse such as keeping piglets warm. As of the end of 2018, there were about 1.453 million head of pigs involved in biogas reuse, which surpassed the policy target of 1.45 million. Besides combining our guidance resources with the guidance capabilities of industrial groups, the COA continued to use “biogas reuse promotion teams” to make on-the-spot visits and verify the conditions of the pig farm and the willingness of the pig farmer. After that an expert technical services team enters the farm and collects basic data such as the production volume and quality of wastewater and biogas, after which they do matchmaking with energy suppliers based on actual needs. The COA also provides suggestions and overall planning services to farmers who want to do biogas power generation on their own.

In terms of the harmonization of laws and regulations, on March 6 of 2018 the COA announced amendments to the “Agriculture Industrial Waste Reuse Management Regulations,” which added “raw materials or burnable materials for renewable energy” to the list of waste items that fall under reuse management. On the 23rd of the same month, we announced amendments to the “Regulations for Examining the Application of Structuring Farming Facilities on Agricultural Land,” which added “facilities for valorization of poultry and livestock feces and urine” under the category for livestock facilities. This change can help resolve problems such as finding land for facilities for source material co-fermentation and related activities.

(4) A vertically integrated operational model for production and marketing in the poultry industry

The introduction of fast food into Taiwan in 1984 satisfied increasing demand from outside diners (people who buy cooked food outside the home) which arose as a result of (i) citizens’ desire at the time to try something new, as well as (ii) urban development. In order to provide products with stable quality and maintain an orderly processing process, demand arose for standardization and a high level of sanitation for upstream raw materials. This caused the broiler chicken industry to move in the direction of electrical slaughtering systems and vertically integrated management. At present, about 97% of poultry farm operators have chosen to sign contracts with feed factories and slaughterhouses, producing chickens that meet contracted specifications of downstream purchasers as well as permitting new planning methods. These contracts can be divided into three types: substitute raising, guaranteed price, and market price. Under substitute raising contracts, the contracted operator provides raw materials for raising chickens. Guaranteed price contracts mean that the chickens are purchased according to a pre-arranged guaranteed price. Market price contracts mean that chickens are purchased at the market price at the time of the transaction. Chicken-raising businesses switch among different contracting models depending on the price of chickens and costs of raising them.

(5) Promoting comprehensive washing and grading of chicken eggs

In 2018 the COA continued to promote the policy of “comprehensive washing and grading of eggs.” In addition to guiding four private-sector businesses to establish chicken egg washing and grading venues, the COA also worked through farmers’ mutual aid and cooperation organizations (such as production-and-marketing groups, farmers’ associations, and co-operatives) to establish two regional washing and grading centers. These will centralize and handle chicken eggs within a specific region. In addition, in 2018 the COA guided egg layer farms to set up nine facilities for washing and grading of eggs. In the future it is hoped we can adjust egg production and gradually promote all-in-all-out management. When the chicken buildings are empty, farmers can thoroughly clean and disinfect the buildings, and can enjoy some leisure time, thereby raising the quality of their lives. At the same time, it will be possible to adjust egg volume and prices, avoiding overproduction of chicken eggs with a consequent collapse in egg prices, as well as to upgrade the safety and quality of egg products.

(6) Automation of the dairy industry

In order to increase management efficiency in the dairy industry, the COA has pro-actively guided dairy farmers to introduce automated and intelligent labor-saving equipment, including new style milking equipment, wireless oestrus detection systems, automatic feeding systems for calves, total mixed ration equipment, multi-functional intelligent automated forage pushing machines, automated loaders, and colostrum heating sterilization machines. In addition, the COA has been promoting separate herd rearing, diet control during the transition period, and remote monitoring and management technology, in order to (i) effectively strengthen lactation production capacity and the quality of raw milk, and (ii) increase the number of cows that can be managed by each person to over 40 head. These can ensure the sustainable competitiveness of the industry.