Peng Chi-ming: Taipei's mayor should personally supervise rat control; only with determination can the rat problem be solved
Environmental Minister Peng Chi-ming urged Taipei's mayor to personally oversee the city's rat infestation problem, calling for regular inter-departmental meetings and public reporting to resolve the issue effectively.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 11:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 12:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 12:15 (13 min after Collected)
Taipei (CNA) — Residents in Taipei have frequently reported rat sightings on the streets, and concerns have been raised that the city government's rodenticide placement method might accidentally harm dogs and cats. Environmental Minister Peng Chi-ming stated today that he suggests the head of the Taipei City Government personally supervise the issue, convene cross-departmental meetings for integration, hold regular meetings, and report regularly to the public. He emphasized that only with targeted solutions and determination can the rat infestation be resolved. Peng Chi-ming made these remarks today before attending a review of amendments to the Resource Recycling and Reuse Act at the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee.
Taipei citizens are worried about the rat infestation, and the city government's placement of rodenticides in parks has raised public concerns about accidental ingestion by children and pets. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently stated that environmental agents are approved by the central government, and the placement locations largely comply with central regulations.
Peng Chi-ming stated that there are specific regulations for placing rodenticides, and in the future, the city government will be asked to disclose the locations where rodenticides are placed to prevent interference when people take their pets for walks. This is a requirement from the Ministry of Environment.
Peng Chi-ming shared his past experience catching rats and suggested that the city government must organize a large-scale, cross-departmental, integrated, and regular meeting led by the local chief. A single rat can run from a home to a night market stall, then to a restaurant, a sewer, a park—rats can be found in many places throughout Taipei. Therefore, he suggested that the city chief must personally chair meetings, supervise, and report regularly to citizens. He stressed that the government must address the problem effectively with determination to solve the rat infestation.
Regarding Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's statement that the number of calls to the 1999 hotline has shown a downward trend, Peng Chi-ming commented, 'The 1999 hotline is just one method.' He noted that there is still a lot of information about rat sightings on online social media, and while these messages need verification, overall, he himself sees many rats when walking in parks. He suggested that the city government must handle the issue properly to reassure citizens, which is paramount. Solving the rat problem is thankless work, but not doing it will leave a burden on people's minds. He believes that the Taipei City Government should proactively mobilize across departments, with the mayor's personal supervision, which will be effective. The Ministry of Environment will provide necessary professional assistance and oversight.
Regarding netizens' suggestion to hire a pet communicator to summon rats out of Taipei City, Peng Chi-ming said that the rats currently seen are just the tip of the iceberg, and there are many more hidden in sewers and dark alleys. Pet communication might be more effective for cats and dogs, but for such a large number of rats, returning to environmental cleanliness and a comprehensive mobilization of the entire city government would be more effective than communicating with rats. (Edited by Su Lung-Chi) 1150504
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Taipei citizens are worried about the rat infestation, and the city government's placement of rodenticides in parks has raised public concerns about accidental ingestion by children and pets. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently stated that environmental agents are approved by the central government, and the placement locations largely comply with central regulations.
Peng Chi-ming stated that there are specific regulations for placing rodenticides, and in the future, the city government will be asked to disclose the locations where rodenticides are placed to prevent interference when people take their pets for walks. This is a requirement from the Ministry of Environment.
Peng Chi-ming shared his past experience catching rats and suggested that the city government must organize a large-scale, cross-departmental, integrated, and regular meeting led by the local chief. A single rat can run from a home to a night market stall, then to a restaurant, a sewer, a park—rats can be found in many places throughout Taipei. Therefore, he suggested that the city chief must personally chair meetings, supervise, and report regularly to citizens. He stressed that the government must address the problem effectively with determination to solve the rat infestation.
Regarding Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's statement that the number of calls to the 1999 hotline has shown a downward trend, Peng Chi-ming commented, 'The 1999 hotline is just one method.' He noted that there is still a lot of information about rat sightings on online social media, and while these messages need verification, overall, he himself sees many rats when walking in parks. He suggested that the city government must handle the issue properly to reassure citizens, which is paramount. Solving the rat problem is thankless work, but not doing it will leave a burden on people's minds. He believes that the Taipei City Government should proactively mobilize across departments, with the mayor's personal supervision, which will be effective. The Ministry of Environment will provide necessary professional assistance and oversight.
Regarding netizens' suggestion to hire a pet communicator to summon rats out of Taipei City, Peng Chi-ming said that the rats currently seen are just the tip of the iceberg, and there are many more hidden in sewers and dark alleys. Pet communication might be more effective for cats and dogs, but for such a large number of rats, returning to environmental cleanliness and a comprehensive mobilization of the entire city government would be more effective than communicating with rats. (Edited by Su Lung-Chi) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.