At today's Cabinet meeting, Premier Mao Chi-kuo emphasized that numerous agencies must work together to improve air quality.
Air pollutant reduction involves energy, industrial, transportation, and even agricultural policy and requires interagency efforts, the premier stated. He instructed the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), and Council of Agriculture to cooperate with the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) on these tasks. He also asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to step up research of the effect of air quality on health and promote health education about how to respond to poor air quality.
The premier made these remarks after an EPA briefing on combining agencies' efforts to speed up air quality improvement. He asked the EPA to speedily complete supporting measures for air pollutant volume control systems. Noting that there are many matters the agency must coordinate with local governments, he said that after this coordination is completed, he will instruct the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to join the EPA in publicizing the implementation of relevant measures. He asked Vice Premier Chang San-cheng to oversee interagency coordination.
The first order of business for improving air quality is stepping up control of the volume of PM2.5 (atmospheric particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers), Mao stated. Reduction of total air pollutant volume is a focal point. In addition to conducting monitoring, authorities must release information and alerts as well, he said.
Reducing pollutant emissions from vehicles is also an important task in improving air quality, he pointed out. The Executive Yuan has instructed the MOEA along with the MOTC and EPA to actively promote the development of smart electric-powered vehicles.
Two-stroke engine motorcycles must be speedily replaced via coordinated measures, the premier added.
Regarding offshore factors affecting air quality, the premier asked the Mainland Affairs Council to negotiate with mainland China about the issue and to reach an agreement soon. The EPA stated that it has since January 2013 promoted technological exchanges and cooperation with mainland China on cross-strait air quality regulations. In April 2014 the EPA sent personnel to Beijing for the second time to share Taiwan's experience in air pollution management. The EPA stated that the future cross-strait environmental protection agreement will incorporate such issues as air quality management and smog prevention, and meanwhile continued exchanges with mainland China will help reduce the effect of its smog on Taiwan.