Ministry of Agriculture Vice Minister: "18 Cities and Counties in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Designated as 'ASF Intensive Quarantine Management Zones'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 16th, Lee Jaewook, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced that "18 cities and counties in Gyeonggi and Gangwon have been designated as 'ASF Intensive Quarantine Management Zones,'" urging local governments to actively implement quarantine and management measures.

On the same day, Vice Minister Lee presided over the 'Livestock Disease Quarantine Situation Inspection Video Conference' at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs situation room in the Sejong Government Complex, Seoul, and checked the quarantine status with related ministries and provincial disaster situation rooms. He requested, "Local governments in the Intensive Quarantine Management Zones should ensure that eight enhanced quarantine facilities, including internal fences and anterooms, are properly established at pig farms within their jurisdiction by May next year."

Regarding the restocking schedule of 261 farms that underwent culling and purchase, he stated, "Although the restocking procedures have resumed, ASF in wild boars continues to occur in border areas," emphasizing, "Local governments and the Quarantine Headquarters must thoroughly and strictly conduct inspections on cleaning and disinfection, manure treatment, and facility improvements at restocking farms."

He also urged, "Please carry out nationwide antibody tests throughout November to confirm the implementation of the mass foot-and-mouth disease vaccination in the second half of the year without any issues," and stressed, "Strict follow-up measures such as fines and breeding restrictions should be enforced on farms with insufficient vaccination, and individuals who missed the mass vaccination due to treatment or pregnancy must be carefully identified and receive supplementary vaccinations."

Prior to this, he emphasized the importance of disinfection and quarantine by local governments to prevent avian influenza (AI) and urged people to refrain from visiting migratory bird habitats by foot or vehicle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.