Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Launch Emergency Investigation into Livestock Disease Prevention Law Violations to Block Avian Flu Spread

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] As highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been reported consecutively in Yeoju City, Gimpo City, and Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province is launching intensive investigations into violations of the Livestock Disease Prevention Act targeting vehicles entering and exiting livestock-related facilities.

The provincial Special Judicial Police unit received investigative authority over the Livestock Disease Prevention Act from the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on June 1 to enable effective response to outbreaks of livestock diseases such as African swine fever and avian influenza. This investigation is an emergency measure to prevent avian flu spread, with the investigation period extending until the avian flu is contained.

Key investigation targets include ▲violations of movement suspension orders ▲unregistered vehicles entering facilities and vehicles without GPS equipment (or inoperative GPS) ▲and other related violations.

According to the Livestock Disease Prevention Act, vehicles entering poultry farms must be registered with local governments and equipped with GPS before operation to prevent disease spread.

Violations of movement suspension orders issued by quarantine authorities, failure to register facility-access vehicles, or failure to equip (or operate) GPS in vehicles can result in imprisonment of up to one year or fines of up to 10 million won.

In-chi-kwon, Chief of Gyeonggi Province's Special Judicial Police unit, stated, "When unregistered vehicles enter poultry farms or vehicles lack GPS equipment and operation, initial response such as avian flu epidemiological investigation becomes extremely difficult," and added, "During these challenging times with COVID-19, the Special Judicial Police will do our part to prevent livestock disease spread."