President Kang Hodong Inspects Livestock Disease Control, Stresses "Preemptive Prevention and Swift Initial Response Are Crucial"

Amid the nationwide spread of livestock diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), African swine fever (ASF), and foot-and-mouth disease, Kang Hodong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, has begun inspecting the disease control system.

On the 5th, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation announced that President Kang visited the base disinfection facility in Samseong-myeon, Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, to review the progress of disease prevention measures. This visit was arranged to assess on-site disease control systems and listen to the challenges faced by those involved.

Kang Hodong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (left), is disinfecting a feed truck during his visit to the base disinfection facility in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on the 5th. National Agricultural Cooperative Federation

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At the site, President Kang stated, "For livestock diseases, preemptive prevention and a swift initial response are more important than anything else," adding, "The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will do its utmost to block the spread of livestock diseases and safeguard both livestock farmers and food safety for the public through close cooperation with the government and local authorities."

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of the 5th, there have been a total of 52 cases of highly pathogenic AI this winter. Since the beginning of this year, there have been 22 cases of ASF and 3 cases of foot-and-mouth disease.

To achieve the early eradication of livestock diseases, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation is continuously operating 540 joint disease control teams across the country. In addition, it has extended the operation period of 114 private disinfection vehicles from the end of February to the end of March, concentrating all efforts on disease control.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation is also enhancing its livestock disease response system by revising and implementing the "Comprehensive Livestock Disease SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)." The revised SOP focuses on clarifying the reporting structure at the organizational level and establishing a rapid initial response system through the maintenance of emergency contact networks.

Kang Hodong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (right), is inspecting a livestock disease prevention disinfection vehicle at the base disinfection facility in Eumseong County, Chungbuk, on the 5th. National Agricultural Cooperative Federation

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Additional support is also being provided to farms near areas affected by livestock diseases. The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation plans to increase the effectiveness of disease prevention by supplying essential disease control materials such as quicklime and disinfectants to pig farms within managed areas (within a 10 km radius).

President Kang stated, "In response to the spread of highly pathogenic AI, ASF, and foot-and-mouth disease, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation established an emergency disease control plan and has been operating an emergency situation room since February 11," adding, "We will make every effort to prevent the spread of livestock diseases through the comprehensive joint disease control teams."

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