Gangwon-do, Proactive Measures for 'Animal Quarantine, Livestock Product Hygiene, and Companion Animal Protection'

A Total of 42.7 Billion Won Invested in Related Projects... 70% Executed in the First Half of the Year

Gangwon Provincial Government

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province has decided to take a proactive approach by accelerating the execution of its budget for animal quarantine, livestock product hygiene and safety, and pet protection in the first half of this year.

Gangwon Province announced on the 17th, "We will invest a total budget of 42.7 billion KRW this year to establish a clean Gangwon free of livestock infectious diseases, supply safe and hygienic livestock products to consumers, and open an era in Gangwon where humans and animals coexist."

By sector, 5.8 billion KRW will be allocated to livestock quarantine projects such as animal infectious disease vaccination and inspection, 6.8 billion KRW to support the operation of base, control, and quarantine facilities, 2.4 billion KRW to support joint quarantine teams, and 8 billion KRW to support foot-and-mouth disease quarantine, totaling 37.3 billion KRW to establish a prevention-centered animal quarantine system.

For the "Livestock Product Hygiene and Safety Assurance" project, a total of 2.4 billion KRW has been allocated, including 1.1 billion KRW to support improvements in hygiene facilities at livestock product workplaces, 400 million KRW to support livestock farms and workplaces for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification, and 200 million KRW for HACCP consulting support.

Additionally, a total of 3 billion KRW will be invested, including 2.3 billion KRW for the construction of a pet support center, 600 million KRW for the protection of lost and abandoned animals, and 100 million KRW to support animal protection and welfare facilities.

The province plans to execute more than 70% of this year’s budget in the first half to efficiently implement animal quarantine, livestock product hygiene, and animal protection measures, as well as to revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19.

The animal quarantine project will focus on field quarantine led by farms and private quarantine organizations through a public-private-military joint quarantine system, while administrative efforts will concentrate on supporting field operations.

The livestock product hygiene project will focus on expanding inspections and improving the environment to resolve social issues such as pesticide-contaminated eggs and antibiotic residues, and on expanding HACCP certification to ensure consumer confidence.

The pet protection project emphasizes creating a social culture where humans and animals coexist, including the construction of a pet support center, protection and management of abandoned and lost animals, and pet companionship campaigns.

Lee Young-il, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Policy Bureau, stated, "We will do our best to enhance consumer trust by establishing a hygienic and safe livestock product production base, build Gangwon-style pet industry infrastructure, and foster a mature animal protection culture."