Councillors demand rat population survey, Taipei City urges central government to establish monitoring model
Taipei City faces a rat infestation issue, with councillors requesting the resumption of rat population surveys and long-term monitoring. The city is calling on the central government to establish a unified national monitoring model. Discussions are ongoing regarding responsibility and definition of rat infestation between the city and central government.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 21:01
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 21:31 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 02:07 (4h 35m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yu-ting, Liu Chien-pang, Taipei 6th) The issue of rat infestation in Taipei City has garnered attention. Councillor Miao Po-ya suggested resuming surveys and long-term monitoring of rat populations to address the problem scientifically. The city government stated that there is no nationwide uniform calculation method or definition of rat infestation from the central government, hoping that the central government can provide guidance for local governments.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an today led bureau and department heads to the city council to report on the first supplementary budget proposal and accept interpellations. Many councillors expressed concern about rat control measures.
Social Democratic Party Councillor Miao Po-ya asked whether the number of rats in Taipei City has increased or decreased. Chiang Wan-an responded that based on citizen complaint calls, the number has decreased.
Miao Po-ya questioned whether a surge in complaints in May would mean an explosion in rat numbers, suggesting that the city government should conduct professional and scientific monitoring. Chiang Wan-an said that is certainly not the case, but it is still a reference point.
Miao Po-ya pointed out that the city government conducted a rat density survey in 2007 and then annually budgeted for rat surveys and effectiveness evaluations until 2015, calling on Chiang Wan-an to resume long-term monitoring to address the rat infestation issue.
Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Hsu Shih-hsun stated in a post-meeting interview that due to the lack of a recognized model for calculating rat numbers and a nationwide uniform definition of rat infestation, the Environmental Protection Department did not conduct estimations. He hopes the central government can establish a unified national approach for local governments to follow.
In a press release, the Environmental Protection Department added that considering the appearance of rats and Hantavirus in other counties and cities, they urge the central government to quickly establish a nationwide rat monitoring model. Taipei City will continue to discuss this with experts, scholars, and the central government.
In addition, Democratic Progressive Party Councillor Ho Meng-hua questioned that compared to former Mayor Ko Wen-je's tenure, the Chiang administration's gutter cleaning volume has significantly decreased, with an average length reduction of 40% and a 10% decrease in淤泥 cleared, making uncleansed gutters breeding grounds for cockroaches and rats, suggesting that the rat infestation is fundamentally man-made.
Taipei City Environmental Protection Department's Environmental Cleaning Management Section Chief Chen Hao-chang refuted this in a post-meeting interview, stating that this is absolutely not true. There is no direct correlation between gutter cleaning and an increase in rat numbers, and cleaning teams continuously and regularly patrol. When the standard is met, desilting is performed. Since the cleaning efficiency is greater than the rate of silt accumulation, the cleaning volume has decreased. In addition, the city government has updated many gutters in recent years, and new channels naturally have no silt to clear.
On the other hand, Democratic Progressive Party Councillor Chien Shu-pei questioned that the city government convened a city-level emergency response meeting in February and has since launched two city-wide rat extermination projects. Yet, Chiang Wan-an and Taipei City Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Chairman Yin Wei frequently referred to the rat infestation issue as a "cognitive warfare," which contradicts the city government's actions and actual situation.
She stated that according to the Environmental Protection Department's data, the February rat extermination project lasted 15 days, catching a total of 910 rats, an average of 60 per day; in April, 944 rats were caught in 11 days, an average of 85 per day. All of these were native Taipei rats. She called on the city government to face the problem, stop discussing political manipulation and cognitive warfare, and not let absurd political language obscure the focus. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yu-ting, Liu Chien-pang, Taipei 6th) The issue of rat infestation in Taipei City has garnered attention. Councillor Miao Po-ya suggested resuming surveys and long-term monitoring of rat populations to address the problem scientifically. The city government stated that there is no nationwide uniform calculation method or definition of rat infestation from the central government, hoping that the central government can provide guidance for local governments.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an today led bureau and department heads to the city council to report on the first supplementary budget proposal and accept interpellations. Many councillors expressed concern about rat control measures.
Social Democratic Party Councillor Miao Po-ya asked whether the number of rats in Taipei City has increased or decreased. Chiang Wan-an responded that based on citizen complaint calls, the number has decreased.
Miao Po-ya questioned whether a surge in complaints in May would mean an explosion in rat numbers, suggesting that the city government should conduct professional and scientific monitoring. Chiang Wan-an said that is certainly not the case, but it is still a reference point.
Miao Po-ya pointed out that the city government conducted a rat density survey in 2007 and then annually budgeted for rat surveys and effectiveness evaluations until 2015, calling on Chiang Wan-an to resume long-term monitoring to address the rat infestation issue.
Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Hsu Shih-hsun stated in a post-meeting interview that due to the lack of a recognized model for calculating rat numbers and a nationwide uniform definition of rat infestation, the Environmental Protection Department did not conduct estimations. He hopes the central government can establish a unified national approach for local governments to follow.
In a press release, the Environmental Protection Department added that considering the appearance of rats and Hantavirus in other counties and cities, they urge the central government to quickly establish a nationwide rat monitoring model. Taipei City will continue to discuss this with experts, scholars, and the central government.
In addition, Democratic Progressive Party Councillor Ho Meng-hua questioned that compared to former Mayor Ko Wen-je's tenure, the Chiang administration's gutter cleaning volume has significantly decreased, with an average length reduction of 40% and a 10% decrease in淤泥 cleared, making uncleansed gutters breeding grounds for cockroaches and rats, suggesting that the rat infestation is fundamentally man-made.
Taipei City Environmental Protection Department's Environmental Cleaning Management Section Chief Chen Hao-chang refuted this in a post-meeting interview, stating that this is absolutely not true. There is no direct correlation between gutter cleaning and an increase in rat numbers, and cleaning teams continuously and regularly patrol. When the standard is met, desilting is performed. Since the cleaning efficiency is greater than the rate of silt accumulation, the cleaning volume has decreased. In addition, the city government has updated many gutters in recent years, and new channels naturally have no silt to clear.
On the other hand, Democratic Progressive Party Councillor Chien Shu-pei questioned that the city government convened a city-level emergency response meeting in February and has since launched two city-wide rat extermination projects. Yet, Chiang Wan-an and Taipei City Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Chairman Yin Wei frequently referred to the rat infestation issue as a "cognitive warfare," which contradicts the city government's actions and actual situation.
She stated that according to the Environmental Protection Department's data, the February rat extermination project lasted 15 days, catching a total of 910 rats, an average of 60 per day; in April, 944 rats were caught in 11 days, an average of 85 per day. All of these were native Taipei rats. She called on the city government to face the problem, stop discussing political manipulation and cognitive warfare, and not let absurd political language obscure the focus. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship of yours is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.