TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s ban on using food waste as pig feed, set to take effect in 2027, is expected to increase food waste processing costs for restaurants, public institutions, and other businesses, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) told lawmakers Monday.

Peng appeared before a legislative committee on social welfare and environmental hygiene to address growing concerns over garbage and industrial waste disposal. Lawmakers focused in particular on the Cabinet’s decision to prohibit the use of food waste as pig feed, which will include a one-year grace period before full implementation, per CNA.

Peng said the policy would raise disposal costs but argued that such expenses should not be subsidized by the government. Instead, he called for clearer guidelines aimed at preventing food waste at the source.

Several legislators questioned whether food waste could be efficiently managed once the ban is in place. One lawmaker cited statistics showing that about 30% of school lunches currently end up as food waste, urging inter-ministerial discussions on how to make school meals more appealing and reduce the amount sent to landfills.

Another legislator called on the Ministry of Environment to release food waste prevention guidelines within six months, similar to those used in the European Union. The proposal would set measurable waste reduction targets and require food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers above a certain scale to submit annual food waste reports.

Peng said the ministry will continue subsidizing pig farmers who use industrial food waste as feed to install monitoring equipment until the end of this year, adding that more than 100 farmers have already applied for funding. Based on current applications, he estimated that about half of pig farmers who previously relied on food waste feed may stop doing so.

Peng said he has consulted with elementary and junior high schools, which reported that lunches are often “neither nutritious nor tasty.” He said further discussions will be held with the MOENV to improve school meal quality and reduce waste.

He said the ban on kitchen waste for pig farming would not affect households but could increase disposal costs for public institutions. Nonetheless, Peng maintained that food waste disposal should not be subsidized in the future.

“Kitchen waste, like garbage, should carry a disposal fee,” Peng said. “Disposing of food waste should come at a cost.”