Gyeonggi-do to Enforce 'Ban on Free-Range Poultry Farming' Until February Next Year

31 Cities and Counties Target All Poultry Farms (Chicken, Duck, etc.)
Up to 1 Year Imprisonment or Fine up to 10 Million KRW for Violations
Special Avian Influenza (AI) Prevention Measures Period in Effect

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province announced that "a ban on free-range poultry farming has been enforced from the 13th for all poultry farms in the province."

This measure follows the detection of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds captured near Bonggangcheon, Cheonan, Chungnam on the 10th, which led to the risk level being raised from 'caution' to 'severe' as of the 12th.

In particular, this year the highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected two weeks earlier than usual, making thorough quarantine measures necessary to prevent the virus from entering farms.

The province is currently monitoring 17 sections with 101 points in the migratory bird habitat livestock vehicle control zones and conducting intensive disinfection on roads and poultry farms around the migratory bird habitats.

The ban on free-range poultry farming will be in effect until February 28 of next year, but the period may be adjusted depending on the situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks.

During this period, all poultry farms in the province are prohibited from raising chickens, ducks, and other poultry freely in yards, rice paddies, or fields.

Violations will be subject to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW under the "Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act (Article 57)."

The province is also designating and managing dedicated officers for all poultry farms (970 households), expanding livestock vehicle washing and disinfection facilities from 24 to 34 locations, installing control posts at vulnerable layer farms (48 locations), and conducting constant surveillance of dense layer farming complexes and special management areas.

Kim Jong-hoon, Director of the Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Division, stated, "As the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza entering farms has increased recently due to migratory birds, more thorough blocking and quarantine measures are needed," and urged, "We ask all poultry farms in the province to comply with the order even if it causes difficulties."

Meanwhile, the province has designated the period from this month to February next year as the "Special Quarantine Period for Avian Influenza (AI), African Swine Fever (ASF), and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)" and is promoting quarantine measures accordingly.

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