[2023 National Audit] Jeong Hwang-geun "Discussing Roadmap to Ban Dog Meat Consumption"

National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, and Fisheries Committee Comprehensive Audit

Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 23rd, "(Regarding the establishment of a roadmap to ban dog meat consumption) it is currently being discussed in a vice minister-level consultative body of seven ministries chaired by the Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination."

Minister Jeong said at the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee's audit held that day, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety are participating and consulting," adding this.

Minister Jeong had previously expressed the need for special legislation during the audit of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held on the 11th. In response to a question from Ahn Byung-gil, a member of the People Power Party, regarding the end of dog meat consumption, Minister Jeong said, "Considering our country's national dignity and animal welfare issues, I believe it is time to actually end it," and added, "The government also thinks that enacting special legislation is the best way." The government formed a 'Committee for Discussion on the Dog Meat Consumption Issue' in December 2021 with animal protection organizations, the dog meat industry, and experts, and has been conducting discussions on ending dog meat consumption through this committee.

Regarding Lumpy Skin Disease, which first occurred domestically on the 20th and has resulted in a total of 14 cases as of this day, he expressed concern that "the number of confirmed cases will increase." Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease that infects only cattle. It is characterized by high fever and skin nodules (hard lumps). It is mainly transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, and the mortality rate is below 10%.

Minister Jeong said, "If culling is not carried out at the farm level, there is a high risk of spreading to surrounding areas and through distribution networks, so the minimum culling scope is currently concluded to be the farm," and added, "Unlike foot-and-mouth disease, Lumpy Skin Disease is not at a stage where farmers can be held responsible, and 100% compensation will be provided for culling."

Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (center), is talking with Han Hoon, Vice Minister, during the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee audit at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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