Gangwon-do Expands 'Tuberculosis-Free Dairy Farm Certification Program' for Dairy Farmers

Goal of 50 Certifications by 2025

Photo by Jaemoon Lee

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is expanding the 'Bovine Tuberculosis Negative Farm Certification System' conducted for dairy farms in the province to eradicate 'bovine tuberculosis,' a zoonotic disease that can infect humans.

The Gangwon Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory announced on the 20th, "The bovine tuberculosis negative farm certification system, now in its 8th year, aims to certify 50 farms by 2025, with 37 farms certified as of last year."

According to the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, in response to the nationwide increase in bovine tuberculosis cases in 2014, proactive certifications were granted to farms in Chuncheon (7), Wonju (2), Gangneung (5), Hongcheon (1), Hoengseong (5), Pyeongchang (7), and Cheorwon (10).

This year, target farms will be selected in February, and bovine tuberculosis tests (PPD intradermal test, gamma interferon test) will be completed twice by August. Based on the results, farms that test negative for tuberculosis and demonstrate excellent disinfection, hygiene, and feeding management will be certified.

Certified farms will receive a certification plaque, be exempted from the mandatory annual tuberculosis test for the next two years, and receive benefits such as support for mastitis treatment supplies.

Ahn Jae-wan, director of the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, stated, "We will strengthen farm guidance for the prevention of zoonotic bovine tuberculosis and do our best to supply safe livestock products through early diagnosis and preventive management of infected livestock."