Reduction of Poultry Culling for 2 Weeks... Import of Fresh and Processed Eggs

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Implements High Pathogenic AI Prevention Measures

On the 8th, three days before the nation's biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year holiday, citizens are seen selecting eggs at the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has decided to refine quarantine guidelines to reduce poultry culling over the next two weeks while focusing on reducing surrounding viruses to curb the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI). To prevent a surge in egg prices, imports of fresh eggs and processed eggs will be increased, along with discounts of 20-30%.

On the 15th, the AI Central Accident Response Headquarters announced these quarantine measures, which will be implemented over the next two weeks. The core principle is to reduce poultry culling while controlling the surrounding virus.

The Central Headquarters assessed that although highly pathogenic AI antigens have been detected in wild birds, the trend is declining. An average of 3.5 cases per day were detected over the past month, but from the 1st to the 12th of this month, 2.75 cases were found.

However, unlike the initial phase when antigens were mainly detected in migratory bird habitats, recently they have also been found inside and around farms, prompting adjusted measures. Cases detected in poultry farms have decreased from 1.40 per day last month to 0.83 per day from the 1st to the 12th of this month.

Reducing Culling and Controlling the Virus

At a layer farm in Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, where the H5 subtype of avian influenza (AI) virus was detected, officials are seen culling poultry on December 7 last year. On the afternoon of December 6 at around 5 p.m., over 1,000 chickens raised at a layer farm in Yeoju-si died, prompting the farm owner to report a suspected AI case. (Image source=Yonhap News)

The Central Headquarters announced plans to remove viruses around farms through intensive disinfection and to reorganize the testing system to detect and eliminate latent viruses in poultry at an early stage.

Preventive culling targets will be reduced and adjusted over the next two weeks, with a re-evaluation of risk levels to decide whether to extend the measures.

First, 1,100 disinfection vehicles will be mobilized to disinfect farm surroundings and access roads daily. The poultry testing system will shift from rapid tests to detailed tests.

Specifically, laying hens, breeding hens, and quail will switch from monthly rapid tests to biweekly detailed tests. Broilers and native chickens will change from pre-shipment rapid tests to detailed tests.

From the end of this month to early next month, additional detailed inspections will be conducted at egg-producing poultry farms. A comprehensive inspection of meat ducks is planned for this week.

While reducing the number of poultry subject to culling, the intensity of measures will be increased. Starting today and for two weeks, in the event of highly pathogenic AI outbreaks at poultry farms, the culling radius will be reduced from 3 km to 1 km around the farm.

If the spread of highly pathogenic AI is not controlled despite these measures, a re-evaluation will be conducted. Even before two weeks have passed, if there is concern about further spread, the adjustment plan will be reviewed.

Additionally, the government plans to review whether to extend the 'AI Special Quarantine Period,' currently scheduled to end this month, aiming to prevent further AI outbreaks.

Importing Fresh and Processed Eggs to Prevent Egg Price Surges

US eggs imported to stabilize the soaring egg prices caused by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) are being sold at a warehouse discount store in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

As poultry AI infections increase, prices of eggs and other food items tend to rise. The government will make every effort to prevent egg price surges by increasing imports of fresh and supply eggs.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the price of 30 special-grade eggs rose from 5,721 won in October last year to 7,481 won on the 10th of this month. The government plans to curb price surges by increasing egg imports.

Fresh eggs totaling 20 million have been imported by the Lunar New Year period. From today until the 18th, about 5 million eggs will be imported, and 24 million eggs will be imported by the end of this month to ensure continuous supply.

Processed eggs will be imported by large food processing companies starting with 100 tons (equivalent to 11.5 million eggs) this month, with a total of 1,180 tons (equivalent to 55.04 million eggs) planned by June.

Furthermore, preparations are underway to allow additional imports depending on egg supply conditions, and 20-30% discount sales will continue at large supermarkets, some small and medium-sized marts, and traditional markets.

Once AI ends, if necessary, the government plans to manage the supply of laying breeding hens and laying chicks in consultation with producer organizations.

So far, 135,000 laying breeding hens have been culled. Some express concerns that the fundamental strength of the poultry industry is weakening and that price increases will continue.

Park Byunghong, Director of the Food Industry Policy Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, urged, "Poultry farm personnel should minimize vehicle and human access to farms, disinfect inside and outside the farm daily, and follow quarantine rules such as changing boots when entering poultry houses."

Director Park added, "The government will thoroughly manage supply and demand by closely monitoring the situation and ensuring planned import volumes are brought in without disruption to stabilize egg supply."

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