TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Pingtung lawmaker Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) is urging bamboo shoot farmers to work together to address waste bamboo, after repeated fines for burning it.

CNA reported Tuesday that Pingtung County has more than 300 hectares of bamboo shoots, but farmers say leftover bamboo is too large to break up on site. Burning was once a common solution, but complaints now quickly lead to fines.

Chung said farmers should form production and sales groups so waste bamboo can be reused instead of burned. He said he will also ask the central government for subsidies to help cover handling costs.

The Agriculture and Food Agency pointed to a recycling site in Kaohsiung that can crush bamboo for mulch or compost and send it back to fields. The agency said this can improve soil quality and reduce waste.

A bamboo shoot farmer surnamed Su (蘇) said waste bamboo piles up quickly during land preparation from November to February. He said current machines are too small, hauling bamboo costs money, and free pickup can still involve long waits.

Chung said old bamboo was once treated as trash, leaving farmers with few options. He said turning bamboo into reusable material could reduce pollution and create new value.