Rep. Jeong Heeyong Proposes 'Biogas Act Amendment' to Ease Mandatory Biogas Production Burden on Pig Farmers

From 2026, Pig Farmers to Be Designated as Mandatory Private Biogas Producers
Concerns Grow Over Increased Burden on Farmers
"Pig Farmers Should Be Encouraged to Participate Voluntarily, and the Government Must Provide Active Support"

Jeong Heeyong, a member of the People Power Party (representing Goryeong County, Seongju County, and Chilgok County in North Gyeongsang Province and serving as Secretary-General of the People Power Party), sponsored an amendment to the “Act on the Promotion of Production and Utilization of Biogas Using Organic Waste Resources” (hereinafter referred to as the Biogas Act Amendment) on November 13. The amendment aims to relieve the burden on pig farmers by excluding them from the list of mandatory private biogas producers.

Under the current Biogas Act, businesses raising 25,000 or more pigs will be classified as “mandatory private biogas producers” starting January 1, 2026, and will be required to convert a certain portion of their livestock manure into biogas.

Mandatory private biogas producers must meet production targets by either directly producing biogas from organic waste resources such as livestock manure or by outsourcing production. Failure to meet these targets will result in fines. While the intent is to utilize organic waste resources as an energy source, pig farmers are expected to face significant burdens, as they would need to build biogas production facilities.

The Biogas Act Amendment, sponsored by Jeong Heeyong, seeks to exempt “livestock business operators” from being designated as mandatory private biogas producers, thereby relieving pig farmers of the obligation to produce biogas.

Meanwhile, the amendment also requires livestock operators to make efforts to achieve biogas production targets, such as installing biogas production facilities, in order to encourage voluntary participation by pig farmers. In such cases, the national and local governments may provide budgetary support for the installation of production facilities and related activities for pig farmers.

Regarding the amendment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, “Imposing a biogas production obligation on livestock farmers presents practical challenges, such as securing land for facility installation, bearing the costs, and dealing with public complaints. Therefore, a legal amendment is necessary to address these difficulties.”

Jeong Heeyong commented, “While I agree with the intention to use organic waste resources as an energy source for environmental preservation and carbon neutrality, this places a significant burden on pig farmers, and there are various restrictions when it comes to facility installation.” He added, “A legal amendment is needed so that farmers can voluntarily engage in biogas production, with active government support.”