Gyeonggi Province Implements Executive Order to Prevent Avian Flu Spread

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province has issued an executive order targeting poultry farms in the province, containing five mandatory compliance measures including a ban on forced molting, to prevent further spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

The province announced that it is implementing these measures to prevent additional spread and minimize damage, as four cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have recently occurred in Yeoju, Gimpo, and Hwaseong, with three of these cases occurring at layer farms.

Under this executive order, poultry farms and livestock vehicles in the province must comply with five measures: △prohibition of forced molting at layer farms △ban on feeding kitchen scraps to poultry △prohibition of transferring spent laying hens to other farms for purposes other than slaughter △ban on egg transport vehicles entering layer farms △composting manure through manure composting facilities before removal (composting as much as possible).

The province plans to strictly take action against poultry farms that fail to comply with this executive order, including reducing culling compensation by 5% or more.

A provincial official stated, "To protect your farm from avian influenza, biosecurity vulnerabilities must be addressed promptly," and urged, "In addition to this executive order, please strengthen disinfection inside and outside livestock facilities and thoroughly implement farm-level biosecurity measures such as changing into boots and work clothes when entering the facilities."