Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Laboratory to Extend Poultry Slaughterhouse Operations During Peak Boknal Season

Flexible Measures for Stable Supply of Chicken and Duck
Including Holiday Operations for Supply Stability

Slaughter inspection site conducted by Jeonnam Province. Provided by Jeonnam Province

The Jeonnam Provincial Animal Hygiene Laboratory announced that, ahead of the peak Boknal season when consumption of poultry meat such as chicken and duck increases by more than 20%, it will extend the operating hours of poultry slaughterhouses, including opening on holidays, until mid-August.

This measure is intended to process the concentrated slaughter volume in a timely manner and to ensure a stable supply of livestock products in order to meet consumer demand without disruption.

Accordingly, the opening time of poultry slaughterhouses will be moved forward from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m., and the closing time will be flexibly adjusted to allow for extended operations compared to usual. The slaughterhouses will also open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the week to ensure a stable supply of poultry livestock products throughout the peak Boknal season.

In particular, to prevent potential hazards that may arise during the slaughter process due to the hot and humid summer environment and the surge in slaughter volume, the laboratory will strengthen inspections for food poisoning-causing microorganisms such as Salmonella in both the slaughterhouse environment and meat. The laboratory will also regularly monitor the increase or decrease in general microbial counts and potential exposure to food poisoning bacteria.

Rapid test kits for detecting antibiotic residues in meat will also be actively utilized to further strengthen meat safety management.

Jeong Jiyeong, Director of the Jeonnam Provincial Animal Hygiene Laboratory, stated, "By opening poultry slaughterhouses earlier and extending their operating hours during the peak Boknal season, we will ensure a stable supply of fresh Jeonnam-produced poultry livestock products to consumers," and added, "We will also make every effort to provide practical support for revitalizing the local livestock industry and economy."

Last year, 92,737,000 poultry were slaughtered in Jeonnam, with 27,607,000 birds?accounting for 30% of the annual slaughter volume?being slaughtered and distributed intensively between June and August.