TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Executive Yuan (行政院) on Thursday (May 29) announced plans to assess the Ministry of Agriculture's (MOA, 農業部) proposal on adjusting the subsidy for old farmers. The government aims to uphold farmers' rights and will soon convene a meeting to discuss the ministry's comprehensive plan before making any decisions.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislators have urged the government to amend the subsidy rules, as the wealth exclusion clause has remained unchanged for 14 years, disqualifying many elderly farmers due to increased land values. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) supported revising this clause, planning to raise thresholds for non-agricultural income and real estate value, and reviewing the CPI growth rate adjustment mechanism.
Chen plans to present a special report to the Executive Yuan this week, hoping to submit the revisions to the Legislative Yuan (立法院) for review in the next session and complete amendments by the end of the year. Deputy Agriculture Minister Hu Jong-i (胡忠一) added that the wealth exclusion clause has not been adjusted for several years. The ministry is gathering feedback and will proceed with new measures only after briefing Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰).
