People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Heeyong, who represents Goryeong, Seongju, and Chilgok counties in North Gyeongsang Province and serves as the party’s Secretary-General, has introduced an amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Production and Utilization of Biogas Using Organic Waste Resources (Biogas Act). The bill, submitted on November 13, seeks to ease the burden on pig farmers by removing them from the list of mandatory private biogas producers, reports The Asia Business Daily.
Under the current law, beginning January 1, 2026, farms raising 25,000 or more pigs will be classified as “mandatory private biogas producers.” They will be required to convert a portion of livestock manure into biogas, either by producing it themselves or outsourcing the process. Those who fail to meet the production targets face fines. Industry groups have warned that the requirement would impose heavy costs on pig farmers, who would need to build biogas facilities to comply.
Jeong’s amendment seeks to exempt livestock business operators from this mandatory designation, effectively removing the biogas production obligation for pig farmers.
However, the amendment still encourages voluntary participation. It requires livestock operators to make efforts to meet biogas production goals, such as by installing their own biogas facilities. In such cases, national and local governments may provide financial support for facility installation and related initiatives.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the current requirement creates “practical difficulties” for livestock farmers, citing challenges such as securing land for facilities, high installation costs, and potential public opposition. The ministry stated that a legal revision is necessary to address these issues.
Jeong said he supports the broader goal of using organic waste resources to protect the environment and promote carbon neutrality but stressed that the current mandate places a heavy strain on pig farmers. He added that restrictions related to facility installation make compliance even more difficult. A legal amendment, he said, would allow farmers to participate voluntarily in biogas production with strong government support.
