1.
GV Linkou village
0.05

2.
MV Pigs at trough (2 shots)
0.14

3.
SV Pan Pig dung in trough
0.22

4.
GV Pan Gas marsh (where dung is piled)
0.29

5.
CU Pipe leading into house
0.37

6.
MV & CU Man turns on gas and lights stove (2 shots)
0.45

7.
CU Small generator powered by marsh gas
0.53

8.
CU pigs
1.00



Initials SC/158 SC/211



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The shortage of oil in Taiwan has popularised a traditional rural fuel source -- pig dung.

For years, farmers in remote areas not connected to cable electricity supplies have been processing the excreta into a form of hydro-carbon gas fuel. They use the gas to run small electricity generators for lighting, cooking and heating.

The local name is "marsh-gas" -- because the pig dung is tipped into open pits and the gas rising from it is caught in containers, piped and used to power the small generators. The gas is also piped directly into gas stoves.

SYNOPSIS: The local name is marsh-gas. The excreta is tipped into open pits and the gas rising from it is caught and piped to power small electricity generators.

Marsh gas has mainly been used in rural areas not connected to cable electricity supplies. But the government's decision to reduce electricity consumption has brought attention to the more traditional energy source. To these farmers the pig is worth much more than his weight in bacon.