Amid AI Spread... Government to Pilot Import Spanish Eggs Next Month

Ministry of Economy and Finance Holds the 14th Emergency Economic Vice Ministers' Meeting
Pilot Import of 1.21 Million Fresh Spanish Eggs Next Month

Vice Minister Bang Gi-seon Chairs Emergency Economic Vice Ministers' Meeting
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Seung-doo = Bang Gi-seon, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is chairing the Emergency Economic Vice Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 23rd. 2022.12.23
kimsdoo@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government will conduct a pilot import of 1.21 million fresh eggs from Spain next month to respond to the spread of avian influenza (AI). It also decided to provide low-interest emergency management stabilization funds to farms affected by culling.

On the morning of the 23rd, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that it held the '14th Emergency Economic Vice Ministerial Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by First Vice Minister Bang Ki-seon. At the meeting, the government discussed measures to stabilize egg supply and demand following the outbreak of highly pathogenic AI. Vice Minister Bang said, "The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) will directly import eggs and supply them to large supermarkets next month," adding, "We will consider additional imports depending on future price and supply-demand conditions."

The government's decision to pilot import fresh eggs stems from concerns that egg supply could become unstable due to the rapid spread of highly pathogenic AI this winter. Considering that AI occurred earlier than last year and migratory birds may enter the country until next month, the government believes there is a possibility of further spread of highly pathogenic AI in laying hen farms. Vice Minister Bang stated, "Despite culling due to AI, the number of laying hens is higher than last year, so egg supply is being maintained stably," but added, "(However) the government plans to proactively prepare for the possibility of intensified AI spread and price increases during the Lunar New Year peak season."

Avian Influenza Antigen Detected in Gijang-gun, Busan...Emergency Quarantine Measures Underway
(Busan=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Deok-cheol = On the 20th, H5-type AI (avian influenza) antigen was detected at a farm in Gijang-gun, Busan, prompting quarantine operations. 2022.12.20
kangdcc@yna.co.kr
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1.21 Million Fresh Eggs to be Imported Next Month

Accordingly, aT will pilot import 1.21 million fresh eggs from Spain through state trading next month and supply them to large supermarkets and food ingredient companies that wish to sell them. However, Spanish eggs will only be cleared through customs if safety is confirmed after quarantine and hygiene inspections by authorities. The government plans to distribute the eggs to the market after water washing and disinfection through edible egg sorting and packaging companies.

Support for farms affected by culling will also be strengthened. The government plans to provide emergency management stabilization funds at an annual interest rate of 1.8% to help these farms restock early. The loan period is five years, with a two-year grace period and three years for repayment.

The government will also consider importing chicks from February next year to supply farms affected by culling, as the number of mature hens capable of producing chicks has slightly decreased compared to last year. A Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs official explained, "Considering the preferred timing of farms affected by culling, preparation and quarantine periods of local exporters, we will review chick imports starting February next year," adding, "The volume of chick imports will be flexibly adjusted based on next year's market supply and demand conditions."

"Efforts for Early Legislation of the Supply Chain Basic Act and Others"

At the meeting, the government also discussed the implementation plan for the '2023 Economic Policy Direction.' Vice Minister Bang said, "Considering the economic flow of a strong start and weak finish, we will focus on tasks for stable macroeconomic management such as financial market stabilization and smooth landing of the real estate market by the first quarter of next year, as well as recovery of the livelihood economy," adding, "We will also make every effort to ensure that tasks for structural reforms in labor, education, and pensions proceed without setbacks." He added, "We will strive for early legislation of necessary bills such as the Supply Chain Basic Act," and "For the time being, we plan to monitor the progress of each task in the Economic Policy Direction monthly through the Emergency Economic Vice Ministerial Meetings."

Discussions on next year's export outlook were also held. Vice Minister Bang said, "Next year, exports are expected to weaken mainly in the materials and information technology (IT) sectors due to global demand contraction and export price declines," adding, "We will minimize export concerns by implementing risk response measures for exchange rate fluctuations and geopolitical instability, as well as carrying out tasks reflected in the Economic Policy Direction such as the new designation of display as a national strategic technology."

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