Taipei City Proposes 'Rodent Detection and Prevention Specialists'; Peng Chi-Ming: Better to Find Professionals
Taipei City's proposal for 'rodent detection and prevention specialists' for rodent control was met with skepticism by Environment Minister Peng Chi-Ming, who suggested using professionals. He also addressed the ecological impact of rodenticides and their application process.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 11:54
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 12:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 12:51 (49 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Ching-Yin, Taipei, 6th) Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced yesterday that he would provide "rodent detection and prevention specialists" to assist households with rodent control. Environment Minister Peng Chi-Ming said today that he heard the term "detection and prevention specialist" for the first time, and that rodent control is a professional job. He suggested referring to New Taipei City, which seeks professionals to deal with rats and vector mosquitoes, which might be better, as many things still require professionals.
Regarding whether rodent contraceptives can be used, Peng Chi-Ming said that currently, no one has applied for a special project. If local governments believe there is a need, the Ministry of Environment will open special applications. Rodenticides themselves may endanger the ecosystem and must be strictly reviewed, but if it is necessary to solve the current problem, special imports will be opened if needed.
Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee continued to review the draft amendment to the Waste Recycling and Reuse Act today. Peng Chi-Ming responded to Taipei City's rodent problem during an interview before the meeting and shared his past experience in trapping rats.
The rodent problem has caused public panic. Hsu Shih-Hsun, Director of the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection, said that during a recent meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry said there was no rodent problem. The media asked if this statement was made. Yin Wei, Chairman of the Taipei City Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, said in an interview yesterday that there are many false messages on the internet creating a situation where there are rats everywhere in Taipei, asking, "Isn't this cognitive warfare?"
Peng Chi-Ming said that every city in the world has rats, and rats have coexisted with humans for a long time. But if rats run onto the street to eat lunch and dinner, the situation becomes serious. In some areas of Taipei City, there might be more rats due to environmental cleaning and disinfection or various other problems. The common consensus at the meeting between the Ministry of Environment and Taipei City Government that day was that environmental cleaning and disinfection is the most important thing, and he asked the Taipei City Government to do a good job of environmental cleaning and disinfection.
Peng Chi-Ming said that there is no clear definition of a rodent problem at present, but he believes that what every citizen sees from the internet or various other sources is not cognitive warfare, nor is it any kind of attack. Because this is a matter of feeling that everyone will encounter. Even he himself encountered very fat and large rats while walking in Daan Forest Park. Everyone should face and solve the problem together, and the government will not use political ideas to say whose responsibility it is.
Peng Chi-Ming said that the Ministry of Environment manages rodenticides, not specifically rodent ecology. In the past, local governments compiled statistics, and relying solely on 1999 reports may not reflect the actual situation. The click rate for rodent-related information on the Ministry of Environment's website has been number one in the past few months, which shows that this problem is probably quite serious and a nuisance to every citizen.
Peng Chi-Ming said that he is very grateful that the Taipei City Government is willing to actively deal with the problem, and also thanked the Taipei City Government for adopting his suggestions made on the 4th, including unified handling by city officials and promptly announcing the locations for distributing rodenticides. Because this will have a great impact on pets and the ecosystem, especially if the amount distributed is excessive.
As for "rodent detection and prevention specialists," Peng Chi-Ming said that rodent control is a professional job, and he suggested referring to New Taipei City, which seeks professionals to deal with rats and vector mosquitoes, which might be better. He also said that this was the first time he heard the term "detection and prevention specialist."
Peng Chi-Ming mentioned his own experience in trapping rats, saying that rodent control is not that simple. He only learned after joining the Ministry of Environment that his previous methods and folk remedies were all wrong. How to deal with rats, citizens can find professional knowledge on the Ministry of Environment's website. (Editor: Su Lung-Chi) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Ching-Yin, Taipei, 6th) Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced yesterday that he would provide "rodent detection and prevention specialists" to assist households with rodent control. Environment Minister Peng Chi-Ming said today that he heard the term "detection and prevention specialist" for the first time, and that rodent control is a professional job. He suggested referring to New Taipei City, which seeks professionals to deal with rats and vector mosquitoes, which might be better, as many things still require professionals.
Regarding whether rodent contraceptives can be used, Peng Chi-Ming said that currently, no one has applied for a special project. If local governments believe there is a need, the Ministry of Environment will open special applications. Rodenticides themselves may endanger the ecosystem and must be strictly reviewed, but if it is necessary to solve the current problem, special imports will be opened if needed.
Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee continued to review the draft amendment to the Waste Recycling and Reuse Act today. Peng Chi-Ming responded to Taipei City's rodent problem during an interview before the meeting and shared his past experience in trapping rats.
The rodent problem has caused public panic. Hsu Shih-Hsun, Director of the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection, said that during a recent meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry said there was no rodent problem. The media asked if this statement was made. Yin Wei, Chairman of the Taipei City Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, said in an interview yesterday that there are many false messages on the internet creating a situation where there are rats everywhere in Taipei, asking, "Isn't this cognitive warfare?"
Peng Chi-Ming said that every city in the world has rats, and rats have coexisted with humans for a long time. But if rats run onto the street to eat lunch and dinner, the situation becomes serious. In some areas of Taipei City, there might be more rats due to environmental cleaning and disinfection or various other problems. The common consensus at the meeting between the Ministry of Environment and Taipei City Government that day was that environmental cleaning and disinfection is the most important thing, and he asked the Taipei City Government to do a good job of environmental cleaning and disinfection.
Peng Chi-Ming said that there is no clear definition of a rodent problem at present, but he believes that what every citizen sees from the internet or various other sources is not cognitive warfare, nor is it any kind of attack. Because this is a matter of feeling that everyone will encounter. Even he himself encountered very fat and large rats while walking in Daan Forest Park. Everyone should face and solve the problem together, and the government will not use political ideas to say whose responsibility it is.
Peng Chi-Ming said that the Ministry of Environment manages rodenticides, not specifically rodent ecology. In the past, local governments compiled statistics, and relying solely on 1999 reports may not reflect the actual situation. The click rate for rodent-related information on the Ministry of Environment's website has been number one in the past few months, which shows that this problem is probably quite serious and a nuisance to every citizen.
Peng Chi-Ming said that he is very grateful that the Taipei City Government is willing to actively deal with the problem, and also thanked the Taipei City Government for adopting his suggestions made on the 4th, including unified handling by city officials and promptly announcing the locations for distributing rodenticides. Because this will have a great impact on pets and the ecosystem, especially if the amount distributed is excessive.
As for "rodent detection and prevention specialists," Peng Chi-Ming said that rodent control is a professional job, and he suggested referring to New Taipei City, which seeks professionals to deal with rats and vector mosquitoes, which might be better. He also said that this was the first time he heard the term "detection and prevention specialist."
Peng Chi-Ming mentioned his own experience in trapping rats, saying that rodent control is not that simple. He only learned after joining the Ministry of Environment that his previous methods and folk remedies were all wrong. How to deal with rats, citizens can find professional knowledge on the Ministry of Environment's website. (Editor: Su Lung-Chi) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.