By Lee Hyo-sik
The government plans to penalize chicken and other poultry farms infected with avian influenza if they are found to have been negligent in preventing the outbreak of the highly infectious virus, the top agriculture policymaker said Monday.
At a press briefing in Sejong, an administrative city 130 kilometers south of Seoul, Agriculture Minister Kim Young-rok said the government will consider taking legal action against Charmfre. The local poultry breeding and processing company is accused of being responsible for the latest bird flu outbreak that hit one of its affiliated farms in Gochang, North Jeolla Province.
"The infected duck farm was saddled with outdated breeding facilities and disregarded necessary quarantine precautions," Kim said. "We will carefully consider what steps to take against Charmfre. The farm will also be held accountable for the outbreak."
His remarks came a day after a highly pathogenic strain of H5N6 flu was discovered at a poultry farm with 12,000 ducks in Gochang, some 300 kilometers southwest of Seoul. This was the first confirmed case in six months.
Following the confirmation, the agriculture ministry issued a nationwide ban on poultry, farm vehicles and workers starting Monday for 48 hours to contain further outbreaks. The measures will be in place for seven days in Gochang and nearby areas. Shops that sell live chickens and ducks have been closed.
The ministry also elevated its avian influenza alert status to the highest level to prevent the spread of the highly-contagious virus.
"During the 48-hour standstill, quarantine officials will visit all the integrated poultry farms to check whether they are adequately prepared to prevent the bird flu outbreak during the coming winter season," Kim said.
"If problems are discovered, the government will take nationwide measures against them. The officials will also oversee the disinfection of vehicles and facilities."
The minister said the government will ban the movement of chickens and ducks to Gangwon Province from other parts of the country ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February.
"The Gangwon Provincial Government has been buying all the chicken and ducks from small poultry farms near the Olympic Game sites. We will follow due legal process to prohibit the flow of chickens and ducks into the province," Kim said.
"All the poultry farms should remain on high alert for the possible avian influenza outbreak. They must constantly disinfect breeding facilities, stop vehicles from entering their farms and refrain from visiting habitats for migratory birds."
In 2016, Korea suffered the worst bird flu outbreak, which lasted nearly eight months, with tens of millions of chickens and ducks being culled.
The government plans to penalize chicken and other poultry farms infected with avian influenza if they are found to have been negligent in preventing the outbreak of the highly infectious virus, the top agriculture policymaker said Monday.
At a press briefing in Sejong, an administrative city 130 kilometers south of Seoul, Agriculture Minister Kim Young-rok said the government will consider taking legal action against Charmfre. The local poultry breeding and processing company is accused of being responsible for the latest bird flu outbreak that hit one of its affiliated farms in Gochang, North Jeolla Province.
"The infected duck farm was saddled with outdated breeding facilities and disregarded necessary quarantine precautions," Kim said. "We will carefully consider what steps to take against Charmfre. The farm will also be held accountable for the outbreak."
His remarks came a day after a highly pathogenic strain of H5N6 flu was discovered at a poultry farm with 12,000 ducks in Gochang, some 300 kilometers southwest of Seoul. This was the first confirmed case in six months.
Following the confirmation, the agriculture ministry issued a nationwide ban on poultry, farm vehicles and workers starting Monday for 48 hours to contain further outbreaks. The measures will be in place for seven days in Gochang and nearby areas. Shops that sell live chickens and ducks have been closed.
The ministry also elevated its avian influenza alert status to the highest level to prevent the spread of the highly-contagious virus.
"During the 48-hour standstill, quarantine officials will visit all the integrated poultry farms to check whether they are adequately prepared to prevent the bird flu outbreak during the coming winter season," Kim said.
"If problems are discovered, the government will take nationwide measures against them. The officials will also oversee the disinfection of vehicles and facilities."
The minister said the government will ban the movement of chickens and ducks to Gangwon Province from other parts of the country ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February.
"The Gangwon Provincial Government has been buying all the chicken and ducks from small poultry farms near the Olympic Game sites. We will follow due legal process to prohibit the flow of chickens and ducks into the province," Kim said.
"All the poultry farms should remain on high alert for the possible avian influenza outbreak. They must constantly disinfect breeding facilities, stop vehicles from entering their farms and refrain from visiting habitats for migratory birds."
In 2016, Korea suffered the worst bird flu outbreak, which lasted nearly eight months, with tens of millions of chickens and ducks being culled.
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