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April 1, 2026
Concealing Avian Influenza: Fined One Million! Taichung's Fengkang Livestock Farm Cited for Multiple Violations; Files Administrative Appeal After Refusing to Pay
On the 1st, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation into the case involving the Fengkang Livestock Farm in Taichung City for concealing an outbreak of avian influenza. The Taichung City Agriculture Bureau announced today that, because the farm failed to proactively report the outbreak, it has been fined NT$1 million in accordance with the *Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases*. Furthermore, under the law, no compensation will be provided for the animals culled or the materials destroyed during the operation. The farm operator has not yet paid the fine and has filed an administrative appeal with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Bureau noted that the operator violated the *Veterinary Drugs Control Act* by hiring personnel without veterinary qualifications to administer injections in the absence of supervision by a licensed veterinarian; for this infraction, a fine of NT$30,000 was imposed, which also remains unpaid. Additionally, regarding the failure to dispose of dead or waste livestock and poultry in accordance with the approved disposal plan, a fine of NT$150,000 was imposed under the *Animal Husbandry Act*; this fine was fully paid by the penalized party on February 25.
The Agriculture Bureau further indicated that, regarding the farm's subsequent resumption of operations, the facility must adhere to the specific application procedures for farms previously affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza. The farm may only resume raising livestock—and have the restrictions on animal movement lifted—after completing a series of steps: thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises, maintaining a 28-day "empty-shed" fallow period, obtaining negative results from environmental sampling and monitoring, and attending educational workshops followed by passing a proficiency test.
The Environmental Protection Bureau explained that the farm's actions—including the indiscriminate abandonment of hazardous industrial waste, allowing land to be used for waste stockpiling, and engaging in illegal waste collection and disposal—are suspected of violating the criminal liability provisions outlined in Articles 46-1, 46-3, and 46-4 of the *Waste Disposal Act*. Consequently, investigative and prosecutorial authorities have already formally indicted the parties involved.
Furthermore, pursuant to Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the *Administrative Penalty Act*, which states: "If a single act simultaneously constitutes a violation of criminal law and a breach of administrative legal obligations, the penalty shall be imposed in accordance with the criminal law," the Environmental Protection Bureau will proceed with the appropriate administrative sanctions once the court's final judgment has been rendered.
April 1, 2026
Concealing Avian Influenza: Fined One Million! Taichung's Fengkang Livestock Farm Cited for Multiple Violations; Files Administrative Appeal After Refusing to Pay
On the 1st, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation into the case involving the Fengkang Livestock Farm in Taichung City for concealing an outbreak of avian influenza. The Taichung City Agriculture Bureau announced today that, because the farm failed to proactively report the outbreak, it has been fined NT$1 million in accordance with the *Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases*. Furthermore, under the law, no compensation will be provided for the animals culled or the materials destroyed during the operation. The farm operator has not yet paid the fine and has filed an administrative appeal with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Bureau noted that the operator violated the *Veterinary Drugs Control Act* by hiring personnel without veterinary qualifications to administer injections in the absence of supervision by a licensed veterinarian; for this infraction, a fine of NT$30,000 was imposed, which also remains unpaid. Additionally, regarding the failure to dispose of dead or waste livestock and poultry in accordance with the approved disposal plan, a fine of NT$150,000 was imposed under the *Animal Husbandry Act*; this fine was fully paid by the penalized party on February 25.
The Agriculture Bureau further indicated that, regarding the farm's subsequent resumption of operations, the facility must adhere to the specific application procedures for farms previously affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza. The farm may only resume raising livestock—and have the restrictions on animal movement lifted—after completing a series of steps: thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises, maintaining a 28-day "empty-shed" fallow period, obtaining negative results from environmental sampling and monitoring, and attending educational workshops followed by passing a proficiency test.
The Environmental Protection Bureau explained that the farm's actions—including the indiscriminate abandonment of hazardous industrial waste, allowing land to be used for waste stockpiling, and engaging in illegal waste collection and disposal—are suspected of violating the criminal liability provisions outlined in Articles 46-1, 46-3, and 46-4 of the *Waste Disposal Act*. Consequently, investigative and prosecutorial authorities have already formally indicted the parties involved.
Furthermore, pursuant to Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the *Administrative Penalty Act*, which states: "If a single act simultaneously constitutes a violation of criminal law and a breach of administrative legal obligations, the penalty shall be imposed in accordance with the criminal law," the Environmental Protection Bureau will proceed with the appropriate administrative sanctions once the court's final judgment has been rendered.
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