Full-Scale Push for Expanded Rearing Space for Layer Hens... Implementation Plans Required by April

Ministry Forms Task Force to Improve Layer Hen Rearing Density; First Meeting Held on the 24th
50% Increase in Rearing Space per Hen Starting September 2027
Regional Coordinators Assigned for One-on-One Support

In preparation for the upcoming implementation of expanded rearing space for layer hens—chickens that produce eggs—scheduled to take effect in September next year, the government has decided to assign regional coordinators to establish a one-on-one support system that connects farms, local governments, and the central government. This system will identify and address challenges faced by farms and provide tailored assistance.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 25th that it had formed a dedicated task force for "Improving Layer Hen Rearing Density" and held its first meeting on the 24th to discuss this plan.

Layer hen farm. The Asia Business Daily DB

Originally, in response to the detection of pesticide residues in eggs in August 2017, the Ministry planned to improve animal welfare and prevent the spread of poultry diseases and mite infestations by expanding the minimum activity space per layer hen for new flocks from 0.05 square meters to 0.075 square meters—a 50% increase—starting in September last year. However, due to concerns over egg supply and price instability, the implementation of expanded rearing space was postponed to September 2027.

A Ministry official explained, "There has been a significant change in public perception, including increased demand for animal welfare-certified eggs in the private sector." The official added, "Consequently, about 60% of all layer hen farms have already transitioned from conventional rearing practices to environments that consider animal welfare."

However, 40% of farms remain under conventional rearing practices due to a variety of reasons, including their relatively large scale, aging facilities, and restrictions on facility expansion caused by regulations. To address this, the central and local governments will jointly assign regional coordinators, directly listen to the challenges of farms that maintain conventional practices on a one-on-one basis, and provide targeted support.

First, the Ministry, together with local governments, will collect implementation plans for improving rearing density from existing farms by April. Regional coordinators will be designated in each city, county, and district to analyze these plans by type, while simultaneously gathering feedback on specific challenges faced by farms.

Specifically, the regional coordinators will monitor the submission status of implementation plans on the ground and check whether measures such as easing environmental regulations and increasing the permissible building-to-land ratio are being effectively carried out by local governments. For farms that plan to maintain existing facilities but reduce the number of layer hens in response, the coordinators will identify challenges such as lack of funding, regulatory issues, and plans to close down, and will consider additional support measures.

To help existing farms implement these changes, the Ministry will prioritize allocating a total of 36 billion won this year for the modernization of livestock facility funding. To enhance the effectiveness of the program, the Ministry is also considering shifting from the current system—where project funds are distributed to local governments—to directly supporting farms that have completed facility improvement approvals. In addition, to proactively prevent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the Ministry is considering providing greater compensation for culling and other benefits to local governments and farms relocating from the western coastal migratory bird routes to other regions. Securing sites for establishing smart livestock complexes for layer hens to facilitate such relocations will also be pursued in parallel.

Lee Jaesik, Director of Livestock Policy at the Ministry, stated, "The central and local governments, together with related agencies, will work closely to strengthen publicity and support for farms, and we will continuously monitor any variables that may arise before the policy is implemented." He added, "Improving layer hen rearing density is an essential step toward sustainable livestock farming and enhancing animal welfare. Through this initiative, we aim to further advance the layer hen industry."

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