AI Genes Belatedly Detected in Chinese Smoked Duck: Entire 30 Tons Discarded, Exports to Korea Suspended

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Took Immediate Return and Disposal Measures After Detection
Export Suspension for the Facility
Korea Duck Association: "No Announcement Even After a Month Since Import"

Recently, highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) genes were detected in Chinese smoked duck imported into South Korea, prompting quarantine authorities to return or discard the entire shipment. About 30 tons, which were subject to inspection, were fully processed, and exports from the implicated Chinese facility have been suspended.

Smoked duck (photo not directly related to the article for illustrative purposes). Asia Economy DB

However, the Korea Duck Association criticized the quarantine authorities for their delayed response. Despite the detection of highly pathogenic AI being a matter of great significance, the Korea Duck Association pointed out that, considering cases of human infection, more than a month had passed since the importation without any announcement or notice from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency or the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. On September 10, in response to the Korea Duck Association’s statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs issued an explanatory press release through its policy briefing room.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Took Immediate Return and Disposal Measures After Detection... Export Suspension for the Facility

According to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency and the Korea Duck Association, the Yeongnam Regional Office of the Quarantine Agency conducted AI monitoring tests on Chinese smoked duck on August 1. As a result, highly pathogenic AI genes were detected in some of the smoked duck products.

Government Sejong Complex Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained that on August 19, immediately after confirming the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) genes in heat-processed poultry (smoked duck) imported from China, it ensured that none of the affected products were distributed domestically by returning (or discarding) the shipment. Additionally, the Ministry suspended exports from the Chinese facility responsible for producing the affected products and strengthened detailed inspections on all heat-processed poultry products imported from China, implementing strict quarantine measures.

The Ministry also notified the Chinese government of the detection, requested identification of the cause, corrective actions, and measures to prevent recurrence. The Ministry clarified that what was detected was the 'gene' of highly pathogenic AI, not the live 'virus,' and that genes alone cannot cause AI infection.

Korea Duck Association Points Out Delayed Response by Ministry... No Announcement Even After a Month Since Import

However, the Korea Duck Association criticized the authorities for allowing additional imports (18 cases from three companies at the same facility after August) even after highly pathogenic AI genes were detected in the shipment imported on August 1, calling it a neglect of the public’s right to safe food.

The association further noted that, despite there being no history of AI outbreaks in Chinese poultry farms since 2022, highly pathogenic AI genes were detected, and the location of the implicated farm within China remains unidentified. The Chinese export facility that produced the products where highly pathogenic AI was detected has exported approximately 364 shipments to South Korea from 2023 to the present, with the volume increasing each year.

Due to concerns about cross-contamination, the association emphasized the need to inspect not only the imported raw meat but also the inner and outer packaging. In addition, while South Korea has legislated restrictions on duck farming during winter to reduce the risk of AI outbreaks, this has ironically led to a sharp increase in imports of Chinese duck meat.

An association official stated, "Government authorities should conduct thorough inspections not only on Chinese duck meat imported from the implicated facility and other facilities but also on the packaging. The government has a duty to ensure that both imported and domestic duck meat are safe for the public."

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