Hoengseong County to Conduct Comprehensive Inspection of Unauthorized and Unregistered Poultry Farms... Strengthening Disaster Preparedness

Strengthening Proactive Quarantine and Disaster Preparedness
Through Voluntary Reporting and On-Site Inspections

Hoengseong County in Gangwon Province will conduct a comprehensive inspection of poultry farms by the 25th to eliminate blind spots in quarantine for unauthorized and unregistered livestock barns and to create a safe breeding environment.

Hoengseong County will conduct a comprehensive inspection of poultry farms by the 25th to eliminate blind spots in quarantine for unauthorized and unregistered livestock barns and to create a safe breeding environment. Photo by Hoengseong County

This measure was prompted by the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at an unauthorized native chicken farm in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, in June. It is a proactive response aimed at blocking vulnerabilities in the livestock sector ahead of the official special quarantine period, which begins in October.

The inspection process will begin with a voluntary reporting period from the 5th to the 18th, followed by on-site inspections from the 19th to the 25th.

Voluntary reports can be submitted through the reporting center established within the Livestock Division of Hoengseong County Office. Farms that report must promptly complete the livestock business licensing and registration process. If it is difficult to meet the licensing or registration requirements, they must submit a plan for facility closure and livestock disposal and implement it within six months. If these steps are followed, penalties such as prosecution will be deferred.

After the voluntary reporting period ends, a joint inspection team composed of officials responsible for livestock, disaster management, quarantine, environment, and construction will conduct on-site inspections of farms that did not report. If violations are found, legal actions such as prosecution and fines will be imposed in accordance with the Livestock Industry Act, the Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta, the Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases, and the Building Act.

Hwang Wonkyu, head of the county's Livestock Division, stated, "We are granting up to six months for corrective action to farms that voluntarily report, deferring penalties during this period," and urged, "All unauthorized and unregistered livestock farms must report within the designated period."