Gumi-si, Seonsan-eup 'Highly Pathogenic AI' Farm Owner Referred for Investigation... "Did Not Report Despite Deaths"

Affiliated Operators Suspected of Violating Livestock Infectious Disease Regulations

High pathogenic avian influenza (AI) occurred at a broiler farm in Seonsan-eup, Gumi-si. On December 16, quarantine officials controlled vehicle access and conducted disinfection work on the road leading to the farm.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 20th that Gumi City has requested an investigation into the farm owner and the affiliated business operator involved in the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) for violating the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act.

According to the epidemiological investigation by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the farm experienced a significant number of livestock deaths between the 10th and 14th, but failed to report to the livestock quarantine authorities until the slaughter shipment on the 14th.

Article 11 of the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act (Reporting of Dead or Sick Livestock) stipulates that the owner of the livestock or the livestock contract farming operator must report livestock that have died from an unidentified disease or are suspected of having a livestock infectious disease. Violation of this can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

A Gyeongbuk provincial official stated, "The situation is critical as highly pathogenic AI outbreaks in poultry and wild birds are sporadically and continuously increasing," and emphasized, "Poultry farms must observe their poultry daily, and if feed intake or egg production suddenly drops or mortality increases, they must immediately report to the authorities."

Meanwhile, it was confirmed on the 15th that chickens shipped from a broiler farm in Seonsan-eup, Gumi City, to the Sangju slaughterhouse were infected with highly pathogenic AI.

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