SEOUL, KOREA - As the cases of avian influenza reported in the southern towns of Gochang and Buan are found highly pathogenic, the repercussions to industry and regional economies are getting bigger daily.

 

 

For one, Korea has already lost its status as a country free of bird flu, which means it is unable to export poultry products until it is declared safe. It is estimated the losses to poultry farmers would be in the range of US$10 million.

 

The stand-still instructions, or the banning of the movement of people who work with poultry and poultry products, in the provinces of North and South Jeolla will also paralyze the regional economy while incurring huge losses from culling of chickens and ducks.

 

Kwon Jae-han, director in charge of livestock industry policies at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, said on January 19, "We notified the high pathogenic avian influenza case to the World Organisation for Animal Health and at the same time lose the privilege of the avian flu-free country status." Korea regained the status in October 2011 from an outbreak in 2011.

 

An official with Korea Duckherd, the nation's largest duck meat processor, said, "Of the total 260 duck farms in Korea, about half are located in the Jeolla region. With the stand-still instructions in effect, it will be difficult to continue business." Once a country loses the bird flu-free status, it will have to wait at least five months to regain the status.

 

Last year, Korea's poultry farmers exported a total of $41.3 million (22,000 tons) worth of chicken and duck meat. The industry expects it would take at least $10 million in losses even if it gets back the bird flu-free status immediately after five months. A Korea Poultry Association official said, "The loss amount may surpass the $20-million level if the outbreak lasts longer."