TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A pig farm in Rende District, Tainan, was fined NT$206,000 (US$6,500) for accepting food waste, authorities said Monday.

The Tainan City government said it has prohibited transporting food waste and animal byproducts to pig farms and has launched joint inspections every two weeks this year, per CNA. The violation was uncovered during initial checks.

The city’s Environmental Protection Bureau said the ban was announced on Nov. 20, 2025, barring the use of food waste as feed or additives. The move aims to reduce disease risks and strengthen livestock biosecurity, the bureau said.

The bureau said operators were notified on Dec. 30 that authorizations to accept food waste would be revoked starting Jan. 1. It added that inspections are being carried out with the city’s agriculture bureau to track waste flows.

During inspections of seven farms this month, authorities found one operator had accepted food waste and animal byproducts in violation of the ban, though no feeding was confirmed. The farm was fined NT$200,000 under the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases and NT$6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act.

The bureau warned that improperly handled food waste can spread serious diseases such as African swine fever. It added that enforcement will intensify to protect the livestock industry.