South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs announced today, March 14, that an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been detected at a beef cattle farm, marking the first such occurrence in nearly two years. The last reported outbreak was in May 2023. This development has significant implications for the country’s livestock industry and efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.
The ministry confirmed that the outbreak was identified at a farm in Yeongam, a city located approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul. With around 180 cattle on the premises, the farm has been placed under strict controls to mitigate the risk of further transmission. As a precautionary measure, all cattle at the farm will be culled to prevent the spread of the disease. This decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to containing the outbreak and protecting the broader agricultural sector.
According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, the ministry has issued a nationwide ban on the movement of animals from all farms and related facilities until 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 17. This temporary restriction aims to prevent any potential spread of the disease during this critical period. Concurrently, stringent quarantine measures have been implemented in Yeongam and neighboring cities to closely monitor the situation and respond swiftly to any new developments. These comprehensive measures demonstrate the government’s proactive approach to managing the outbreak and minimizing its impact on the country’s livestock and food production systems.
As the situation continues to unfold, the ministry’s actions will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, to assess the effectiveness of their response and the potential implications for global food security and trade. The containment of FMD outbreaks is crucial, given the disease’s potential to cause significant economic losses and disrupt food supply chains. With South Korea’s experience in managing previous outbreaks, there is hope that the current situation can be brought under control efficiently, ensuring the health and sustainability of its agricultural sector.