[Public Voices]Toward 'Animal Welfare Livestock Farming' That Meets Public Expectations

The first two solar terms of the 24 solar terms, Ipchun (立春, Beginning of Spring) and Usu (雨水, Rain Water), and the warm spring season of March are passing by. Although not well known in Korea, March includes 'National Puppy Day.' American zoologist Colin Page designated March 24 as National Puppy Day to honor the dedication and sacrifice of companion dogs. Today, it serves to raise awareness about companion dogs and promote the protection and adoption of abandoned dogs. In Korea, the Animal Protection Act was enacted and implemented in 1991 to improve the protection and welfare of companion animals. Originally established to prevent abuse of companion animals, the scope of the Animal Protection Act has since expanded to include the welfare of farm animals as well.

Social awareness of animal welfare continues to grow in Korea. Recently, interest has expanded beyond farm animal welfare to include an ethical consumption culture where consumers check whether animal welfare was considered during the production process when purchasing livestock products. This culture tends to be stronger among households raising companion animals. In fact, pet owners have been found to have higher awareness of animal welfare-certified farms and show greater empathy toward improving farm animal welfare standards.

In response to these social awareness changes, the government has been implementing the 'Animal Welfare Livestock Farm Certification System' since 2012 to promote animal welfare. This system certifies farms that raise livestock in compliance with animal welfare certification standards.

According to the 'National Awareness Survey on Animal Protection' conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs last year, about 70.7% of respondents had heard of the Animal Welfare Livestock Farm Certification System, and among them, 58% said they had purchased livestock products certified by the system. Reflecting these results, the number of livestock farms participating in the certification system is also increasing. Currently, 425 livestock farms are producing certified livestock products under the Animal Welfare Livestock Farm Certification System. By livestock type, 226 egg production farms, 145 broiler chicken farms, 31 dairy cow farms, 17 pig farms, and 6 Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) farms have been certified. However, except for chicken farms, the number of certified farms for other livestock remains relatively low.

Recently, the government has also established the Animal Welfare Environmental Policy Office within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to expand and strengthen animal welfare-related work and to build a growth foundation for related industries based on animal welfare. The National Institute of Animal Science is accelerating the development of technologies for animal welfare housing facilities and livestock management to solve problems faced by livestock farms in the field. Efforts are being made to improve the animal welfare livestock farm certification standards to meet the expectations of Korean citizens and to be easily applicable by livestock farms.

Above all, expanding animal welfare livestock farming requires the interest and support of both producers and consumers. Although animal welfare certification inspections are conducted through voluntary participation of farms, raising animals under animal welfare conditions involves many challenges, so the conviction and efforts of livestock farmers toward animal welfare are essential. Consumers also need to trust the certification system and show interest in purchasing animal welfare-certified livestock products. While consumers may pay a little more for animal welfare livestock products, they need to recognize that this contributes to improving the living environment of livestock. Animal welfare livestock farming cannot be achieved by producers or consumers alone; it requires consensus from all. Both producers and consumers must unite in one voice for 'animal welfare livestock farming' to realize animal welfare livestock farming that meets the expectations of the public.

Park Beom-Young, Director of the National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration