TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部) on Thursday (Jan. 2) announced its ongoing efforts to upgrade the dairy industry in response to the impact of New Zealand's zero-tariff dairy imports. Several educational groups petitioned the Executive Yuan (行政院) earlier that day, urging the reinstatement of the free domestic fresh milk for students plan.
These groups argue that milk policies are crucial for student health and suggest a system in which students can collect fresh milk from convenience stores. The Executive Yuan plans to discuss this issue further with various ministries and local governments to explore potential solutions. MOA plans to implement measures such as establishing small farmer brands and improving production equipment to enhance competitiveness.
The Executive Yuan decided on Dec. 19, 2024, to suspend the student milk policy, which the MOA and the Ministry of Education (教育部) launched in September 2024. Originally intended to run for four years, the program faced execution challenges and conflicting opinions, leading to its halt.
