1.　Constructing a safe supply system for livestock products and achieving market differentiation

(A) Separate-track management and signage for domestic versus imported pork

　　To protect the rights and interests of consumers, the COA has continued to strengthen separate-track management of imported versus domestic pork, in order to achieve market differentiation between domestically produced and imported frozen meat. We have also promoted a pork traceability system for traditional markets. In 2017 the coverage rate for domestic fresh pork traceability indicator signs was 51.4%. Following checks at 610businesses 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

　　In 2017 the COA commissioned the National Animal Industry Foundation and relevant scholars and experts to widely collect information about the situation of hog carcasses in Taiwan. They have already completed carcass parameter analysis for 400 carcasses, and done research and analysis on the equipment needed and the implementation framework. They will continue to accumulate basic data on the situation of domestic carcasses, and will rely on this data in designing a workable transaction system for graded hog carcasses.

(C) Promoting modernization of the supply chain for fresh 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. Construction of cold-chain logistics can improve the overall freshness of domestic pork, and effectively extend the use-by deadline of fresh pork for end users, thereby raising the competitiveness of the domestic livestock industry. The COA uses a gradual demonstration approach to promote modernization of the sale of domestic fresh meat products, guiding simultaneous improvements at slaughterhouses attached to meat markets, vehicles for the transport of carcasses, and traditional meat stalls.

　　Recently we have set out plans to invite scholars and experts to research “the most appropriate conditions for a cold chain for domestic fresh pork.” This will have reference value as the basis for promoting modernization of the fresh pork supply chain. We also have guided slaughterhouses attached to meat markets to use carcass transport vehicles for transport, and guided traditional meat stalls to add temperature-control equipment to improve the sanitation of the environment. In 2017 we guided a total of six slaughterhouses attached to meat markets, 28 carcass transport vehicles, and installation of temperature-control equipment at 73 traditional meat stalls, with the goal of upgrading the quality and safety of domestically produced fresh pork.

2.　Accelerating restructuring of rural industries, upgrading operational efficiency

(A) Breeding varieties that have competitiveness and upgrading the livability rate of hogs

　　In order to improve germplasm performance from the source and raise the livability rate of hogs, in 2017 the number of tested head and the registration as pure breed hogs increased, respectively, by 24% and 11% compared to 2016. The COA also (a) established a demonstration testing station with a group-feeding individual-testing system, in order to increase our capabilities in testing breeding hogs; (b) did follow-up tracking of 500 head of descendants of breeding hogs in order to confirm the performance of the breeding hogs; (c) promoted a core group of minimal disease breeding hogs; and (d) raised to 12 the number of breeding hog farms that were purified for pseudorabies, an increase of 20%. We also implemented a program for hog-raising experts from Denmark to come to Taiwan to give training sessions, with more than 100 participants, thereby encouraging modernization of hog farms. Finally, the COA guided 32 farms of hog raising businesses to adopt new production methods based on different places, batches, and ages; the livability rates for hogs at the guided farms increased by more than 10%.

(B) Developing modernized, intelligent animal husbandry production technology and techniques as well as special zones for circular agriculture

　　To advance the transformation and modernization of the hog-raising industry, the COA’s Livestock Research Institute laid out a plan for putting up one type of standardized hog building. They also worked with the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI) to found a veterinary guidance team, to provide hog farms with on-the-spot consultations and guidance on operational management and industry integration, and to construct one type of hog-raising medical database. In addition, we pro-actively promoted the research and development of intelligent environmental control systems for poultry buildings as well as promoted industry resource planning.

　　In addition, in order to resolve the environmental, disease, and management inefficiency problems at small- and medium-sized hog farms, the COA cooperated with Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) to map out the establishment of a circular-agriculture special zone investment plan, and we have constructed model circular-agriculture special zones to make it easier to promote the concept to other counties and cities. At present, Pingtung County has agreed to map out a special zone in cooperation with TSC, to resolve the problem of the difficulty of managing scattered small hog farms with less than 200 head. The special zone delineated by Chiayi County will have a total of 20,000 head of hogs, and will assist in (i) resolving the pollution problem and also (ii) training of young farmers. In addition, the COA has subsidized Chuanghua County, Tainan City, and Kaohsiung City in doing feasibility evaluations and planning for the establishment of circular-agriculture special zones.

3.　Promoting the use of animal waste as resources and increasing farmers’ incomes

　　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 faeces and urine wastewater at pig farms have come to be seen as resources. Relevant environmental laws and regulations have been adapted and adjusted, permitting not only a return of livestock waste to farmland as a fertilizer ingredient, but also in hopes of substantially reusing the biogas produced in the treatment of faeces 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 hog farms. It can be said to be achieving several goals at one stroke.

　　To increase the willingness of pig farms to use biogas to generate electricity, the Bureau of Energy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs raised the wholesale purchase price for electricity to NT$5.0087 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The COA also adjusted the interest rate for policy-oriented special agricultural loans to 1.04%, and increased the maximum amount of such loans from NT$10 million to NT$30 million. We also established a promotion team 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 establishes basic data such as the production volume and quality of wastewater and biogas, after which they provide relevant suggestions and overall planning services based on the needs of the farmer. As of the end of 2017, a total of 560,000 head of pigs were involved in biogas reuse, and 43 farms had established facilities for generating electricity from biogas (including shared users, totaling 373,000 head), reducing carbon emissions by 400,000 metric tons. In addition, there are 109 farms (with 800,000 head) which had signed contracts and where planning and construction is ongoing, and the COA will continue to guide these to completion.

4.　Promoting comprehensive washing and grading of chicken eggs

　　Continuing to promote the policy of comprehensive washing and grading of chicken eggs, in 2017, in addition to guiding four private-sector businesses to establish chicken egg washing and grading venues, the COA also worked through a mutual aid and cooperation method between farmers’ 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 the future, they can help in the adjustment of egg production and in the gradual promotion of all-in-all-out management. When the chicken houses are empty, farmers can undertake thorough cleaning and disinfection of the houses, and can enjoy some leisure time, thereby raising the quality of their lives. At the same time, it will be possible to adjust egg yield 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.

5.　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, colostrum heating sterilization machines, and so on. In addition, the COA has been promoting the integration of (i) separate herd rearing, (ii) diet control during the transition period, and (iii) remote monitoring and management technology, in order to (a) effectively strengthen lactation production capacity and the quality of raw milk, and (b) 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.