ASF Genes Detected in Feed Ingredients... 490.5 Tons of Problematic Feed Recalled and Disposed Of

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to Strengthen Quarantine Management at All Stages

Third Round of Nationwide Inspections of Pig Farms by March 20; Shipment Restrictions for Non-Compliant Farms

Establishment of ASF Testing System for Pig Blood at Slaughterhouses

As African swine fever (ASF) genes have been detected in feed ingredients and compound feed for piglets, the government has decided to strengthen quarantine management across all stages, from farms to slaughterhouses and feed manufacturing, to prevent recurrence.

The ASF Central Accident Response Headquarters announced on March 16 that it had immediately disposed of 4,905,000 tons of problematic feed in which ASF genes had been detected. The related feed manufacturer has voluntarily recalled compound feed made from potentially contaminated ingredients from farms and suspended sales. Through these measures, the authorities have preemptively blocked the possibility of further contaminated feed being supplied to or used on farms.

Since the first ASF outbreak in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on January 16 of this year, a total of 22 cases have occurred. Since the last outbreak in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, on March 3, there have been no additional cases as of the article's publication date.

According to the ASF Central Accident Response Headquarters' gene analysis of this year’s cases, 19 out of 22 were found to be of overseas origin (IGR-I type), while 2 cases in Pocheon and 1 case in Yeoncheon, both border areas in Gyeonggi Province, were identified as the previously circulating domestic type (IGR-II). During epidemiological investigations and nationwide simultaneous inspections of pig farms, ASF genes were detected in pig plasma protein feed ingredients and compound feed manufactured from these ingredients. This confirms the possibility that contaminated feed supply may have contributed to the outbreaks.

To stabilize the ASF situation early, the Central Accident Response Headquarters will extend the special quarantine period through March. Additionally, two rounds of extra nationwide inspections are being conducted on pig farms targeting carcasses and environmental samples, in order to strengthen quarantine measures and enable early detection of infected farms. Farms that have not complied with the nationwide inspection are subject to restrictions on pig movement and shipment for a certain period to ensure prompt compliance with inspections, with a plan to complete the inspections by March 20.

The Central Accident Response Headquarters plans to thoroughly complete the ongoing third round of nationwide inspections of pig farms to definitively confirm the presence or absence of the virus on farms. In addition, to strengthen the ASF monitoring system in the feed sector, the government will establish an ASF testing system for compound feed produced and stored by feed manufacturers by utilizing private diagnostic institutions.

Jeonghun Park, Policy Chief of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "In response to the detection of ASF genes in feed (ingredients), we are taking proactive quarantine measures such as recalling and disposing of the relevant products, conducting inspections, and carrying out nationwide simultaneous inspections of pig farms." He added, "The ongoing nationwide inspections of pig farms are a crucial step to identify infected farms early and prevent further spread, so I urge all pig farms to participate without exception until the very end."

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