Assemblyman Kim Seung-nam Proposes Amendment to the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act to Mandate National Funding Support for Livestock Culling Costs

Proposed Amendment to Have the State Cover Over 50% of Type 1 Livestock Infectious Disease Culling Costs
High Culling Costs and Low National Funding Increase Difficulties for Financially Independent Local Governments

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Congressman Kim Seung-nam (Jeonnam Goheung·Boseong·Jangheung·Gangjin) on the 4th took the lead in proposing the "Partial Amendment to the Act on Prevention of Livestock Infectious Diseases," which mandates the national government to bear the costs of livestock culling.

The current law stipulates in the enforcement ordinance that "in the case of first-class livestock infectious diseases, the state may partially support the costs of livestock culling," but since it is not a mandatory provision, the state either does not support the culling costs or provides only a minimal amount even if it does.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, during the severe outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in 2010-2011, the livestock culling costs amounted to 139 billion won, which was fully covered by local government funds.

In the case of Jeonnam Province, AI outbreaks last year resulted in culling costs of 10.7 billion won, all of which were covered by city and provincial funds.

The amendment bill led by Congressman Kim Seung-nam includes provisions for the national government to cover at least 50% of the culling costs, considering the financial independence of the local governments where first-class livestock infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, AI, and African swine fever occur, as well as the scale of livestock culling, thereby reducing the burden on local governments.

Congressman Kim Seung-nam said, "It is problematic to further burden local governments already struggling with livestock infectious diseases with the costs of culling," adding, "It is desirable for the national government and local governments to share the burden to protect the livestock industry and public hygiene."

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