Chu Shu-Chuan Column: Promoting Carcass Grading System, and Abolishing Live Pig Auctions

Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Zhangliang recently shared on Facebook his insights from visiting Gatine Viandes, a meat processing plant in France, expressing admiration for Europe’s advanced meat supply chain and its emphasis on animal welfare. He specifically highlighted the "carcass grading system" and announced plans to introduce this system at the Puzi Meat Market in Chiayi to enhance the industry’s competitiveness.

A few days later, Premier Cho Jung-tai re-approved the reconstruction of the Puzi Meat Market in Chiayi, confirming Weng’s proposal. However, neither mentioned that implementing a carcass grading system eliminates the need for live pig auctions. Moreover, carcass-graded pork is transported via cold chain, which contradicts the Agriculture Department’s repeated claim that Taiwanese consumers prefer warm carcass meat.

Promoting a carcass grading system should go hand in hand with abolishing live pig auctions and improving animal-unfriendly farming practices.

Carcass Grading Enhances Animal Welfare

As Weng stated, the "carcass grading system" objectively evaluates meat quality based on carcass weight, backfat thickness, and lean meat ratio. This not only fosters a fair and transparent trading mechanism but also guides the pig farming industry toward precision feeding and quality improvement.

This argument sounds familiar—it is precisely what animal protection groups have long advocated to the Agriculture Department. Yet the department has repeatedly rejected it, citing two reasons: first, that Taiwanese consumers prefer warm meat, so live auctions cannot be abolished; second, that carcass grading could lead to price monopolization by conglomerates. This contradicts Weng’s assertion that grading ensures fair trade, exposing the Agriculture Department’s reasoning as inconsistent.

Another benefit of carcass grading is local farming and local slaughter, eliminating the need to transport live pigs long distances to auction markets, then again to slaughterhouses after auction—processes that subject pigs to immense suffering. Additionally, immediate entry into the cold chain after slaughter ensures higher hygiene and safety compared to warm meat.

Regarding animal welfare, Taiwan lags far behind Europe. At a seminar in Taiwan last year, Dr. Talina, a section head from Germany’s Ministry of Agriculture, shared via video Germany’s strict animal welfare policies. Starting in 2029, gestating sows will no longer be confined in crates; by 2036, crate use will be allowed only for a few days around birth. Retail pork must also carry labels indicating housing conditions.

She emphasized that strict animal welfare standards are not meant to oppose farmers but to help them prepare for the future. Conversely, tolerating outdated farming methods puts farmers at financial risk. As global animal welfare standards rise, products from low-welfare systems will struggle to access international markets.

Reducing Live Pig Transport and Auctions Improves Disease Prevention

After African Swine Fever (ASF) nucleic acid was detected in Taichung last October, the Agriculture Department immediately banned live pig transport and slaughter, as the mixing of people, vehicles, and pigs during transport, auction, and slaughter is a key transmission route for viruses. In contrast, the carcass grading system reduces such mixing, enhancing disease prevention.

Following the outbreak, after six months of effort, Taiwan regained its self-declared ASF-free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in April this year. Yet this month, a drift pig from Kinmen tested positive for ASF nucleic acid, prompting immediate restrictions on live pig shipments to the main island.

In November 2020, the Council of Agriculture allocated NT$13 billion for the "Four-Year Livestock Industry Transformation Plan (2021–2024)," including "modernizing slaughterhouses and upgrading meat cold chains." The most symbolic project is the reconstruction of the Puzi Meat Market in Chiayi and the implementation of carcass grading.

Then-Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang approved a budget of NT$2 billion for this project. After six years of delays, the newly approved budget has increased by 60%, rising by NT$1.2 billion to NT$3.2 billion, further delaying the modernization of the meat market.

The carcass grading system is more scientific, ensures meat hygiene, strengthens disease prevention, and aligns with animal welfare. It should not only be implemented in Puzi but expanded to other meat markets. It is contradictory to boast about Taiwan’s pig farming industry while continuing to allow the cruel and outdated practice of live pig auctions.

*The author is an independent journalist.