Quarantine officials control access to a pig farm in Gimpo, west of Seoul, on Sept. 23, 2019, after another suspected case of African swine fever was reported earlier in the morning from a farm in the area. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Preventive culling measures will be allowed when an epidemic such as African swine fever (ASF) sweeps through wild animal populations.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to amend legislation on livestock epidemic prevention, which will come into effect on May 5.
The amendment replaced a one-year deadline to set up fences and other quarantine facilities with a deadline ‘as determined by the Minister,’ for all farms located within zones with a high risk of an epidemic outbreak.
Additionally, all farms facing losses from quarantine measures will now have a legal basis for compensation as the amendment includes a clear definition of a business closure.
The amendment obligates national livestock quarantine institutions as well as municipal and provincial heads to designate an epidemiologist, and conduct training on a regular basis.
Provincial governors will also be obligated to carry out periodic checks on disinfection and quarantine facilities on farms more than once every year.
If the facilities are damaged or not operational, authorities will send out orders to carry out maintenance.
A new provision will be included enabling preventive culling measures if wild animals such as wild boars become infected with a serious epidemic such as the ASF.
In the event of an outbreak of an epidemic among wild boars or birds suspected of getting into contact with local livestock, animals may be culled in advance to contain the chance of spread.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
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