Gyeonggi-do Extends Ban on Free-Range Poultry Farming by One Month

3. Prohibition of Releasing and Raising Poultry Outdoors Until March 31

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province has extended the 'Order to Prohibit Free-Range Rearing of Poultry Farms,' which was scheduled to end on the 28th of last month, until the 31st of this month.

According to the province on the 3rd, this measure is in response to the continued detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in wild birds in Gangwon Province and Chungcheongnam Province, which are adjacent to Gyeonggi Province, and is timed with the northward migration of winter migratory birds.

Accordingly, all poultry farms located in 31 cities and counties within the province must not allow poultry to roam freely outdoors in yards, rice paddies, or fields during this period.

If the order to prohibit free-range rearing is not followed, under Article 57 (Penalties) Clause 4 of the current 'Livestock Epidemic Prevention Act,' offenders may face imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of this winter, a total of 45 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) have occurred nationwide in poultry farms, with 3 cases reported within the province: 2 in Hwaseong and 1 in Pyeongtaek (as of March 2, 2022).

The province is making every effort to block and prevent the spread of the disease through culling of affected farms, operating the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, running farm checkpoints and key disinfection facilities, monitoring access to migratory bird habitats, and conducting intensive disinfection.

A provincial official urged, "As the northward migration of wild birds continues, we cannot let our guard down on quarantine measures. We ask poultry farmers to strictly cooperate by adhering to biosecurity rules such as the prohibition of free-range rearing."

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