Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province completed a special inspection of the African swine fever quarantine status of all pig farms. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) recently confirmed a large number of cases of insufficient quarantine measures as a result of an epidemiological investigation of African swine fever-affected farms. In order to prevent recurrence of similar cases, all pig farms in the province were closed for 13 weeks from July 15 to October 11. As a result of conducting a special inspection of the African swine fever quarantine status on the farm (No. 194), it was revealed that deficiencies were confirmed at No. 100 pig farm.
The proportion of confirmed deficiencies by type is as follows: installation and management of quarantine facilities (61%), installation and management of disinfection and blocking facilities (21%), management of footboard disinfection tanks and management of secondary entrances (18%), etc. Through this inspection, the farm Risk factors for African swine fever quarantine were identified in advance. In particular, the state of deterioration and damage due to long-term operation of the eight quarantine facilities installed early (January 2022) at pig farms in the province was also confirmed on site.
As this inspection was carried out for the purpose of clearly identifying the actual situation and improving and supplementing it, immediate on-site guidance was provided to farms where minor deficiencies were identified, and farms in need of facility reinforcement due to aging or damage were actively supported through the provincial government’s own projects. It is planned. We plan to intensively manage the shortcomings until improvement and supplementation are completed.
Ahn Jae-wan, head of the Animal Quarantine Department, said, “This special inspection is a preemptive measure to prevent the outbreak of African swine fever, and we ask pig farms to make efforts to promptly correct the identified deficiencies,” adding, “Even in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, there is deterioration and damage.” “We will continue to make efforts to realize quarantine policies that benefit the residents of the province, such as continuing to suggest the establishment and expansion of government-funded projects to support the maintenance and repair of facilities, and securing budgets for the province’s own projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it will hold a “Children’s Participatory Budgeting School” at the Hwacheon Community Center at 14:30 on Thursday, October 31 for about 30 second grade elementary school students at Neulbom School.
This “Children’s Participatory Budgeting School” is being promoted to promote the revitalization of the resident participatory budgeting system in connection with Neulbom School, a key policy task of the current government.
Neulbom School has been fully implemented for first graders in all elementary schools across the country starting from the second semester of this year, and this is the first case in the country of matching operation of Neulbom School and the resident participatory budgeting system.
This “Children’s Participatory Budgeting School” will be held for the second time at Hwacheon Community Center, Korea’s first full-day elementary care facility, after starting at Dongbu Elementary School in Chuncheon on July 8. Starting next year, we plan to fully expand the system by accepting pre-applications for all elementary schools in the province.
Also, on this day, Representative Park Dae-hyeon of the Budget and Settlement Special Committee of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Council will participate as a co-lecturer to set policy agendas of interest with children and conduct a mock budget preparation and deliberation process. Through this, we plan to provide children with a learning opportunity to increase their understanding of participatory budgeting and participate in the budget process on their own.
Lee Hee-yeol, head of the Provincial Planning and Coordination Office, said, “I hope this will be an opportunity for children to understand participatory budgeting through the experience of directly discussing and proposing policies related to them.” “We will work hard to expand it,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Choi Hana
.
Interview for Time.news: Addressing African Swine Fever Quarantine Measures in Gangwon Province
Interviewer: Good afternoon! Thank you for joining us today. We’re here with Ahn Jae-wan, the head of the Animal Quarantine Department in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Recently, the province conducted a significant special inspection of pig farms related to African swine fever. Can you provide us with an overview of the situation?
Ahn Jae-wan: Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. Yes, we recently completed a thorough inspection of all pig farms within the province. This was prompted by an epidemiological investigation that revealed alarming deficiencies in quarantine measures at several farms affected by African swine fever. The inspection aimed to ensure better preparedness and prevent any potential outbreaks.
Interviewer: That’s quite a proactive approach. What were some of the key findings during these inspections?
Ahn Jae-wan: The results were indeed concerning. We found that 61% of the deficiencies were related to the installation and management of quarantine facilities. There were also significant issues with disinfection and blocking facilities at 21% and with secondary entrance management and footboard disinfection tanks at 18%. Many of the quarantine facilities, some of which have been operational since January 2022, showed signs of deterioration or damage that required immediate attention.
Interviewer: It sounds like these deficiencies could pose a real threat to the local pig farming industry. What steps is the government taking to address these issues?
Ahn Jae-wan: We’re taking a multifaceted approach. For farms where we identified minor deficiencies, we’ve provided immediate on-site guidance. Additionally, we are actively supporting farms that require facility reinforcement through projects funded by the provincial government. Our goal is to intensively manage and rectify these shortcomings until they are fully addressed.
Interviewer: How does this inspection tie into the larger strategy for managing wildlife and livestock diseases in the province?
Ahn Jae-wan: This special inspection is part of our broader commitment to preemptively managing the threat of African swine fever. We believe that a strong quarantine policy is essential not only for protecting livestock but also for safeguarding the livelihoods of our residents reliant on pig farming. Continuous engagement with farms to correct issues is vital, and we’re also advocating for increased government support to maintain and repair essential facilities.
Interviewer: That makes a lot of sense. It’s encouraging to hear about these proactive measures. Speaking of community involvement, I noticed Gangwon Province is also holding a “Children’s Participatory Budgeting School.” Can you tell us a bit about that initiative?
Ahn Jae-wan: Absolutely! This initiative is part of our effort to engage the youth in the budgetary processes affecting their communities. It’s set to be held at the Hwacheon Community Center, where we hope around 30 second-grade students from Neulbom School will participate. The goal is to educate them about participatory budgeting and encourage their involvement in shaping the local policies that impact their lives.
Interviewer: It’s great to see such initiatives aimed at fostering civic engagement from a young age. Before we wrap up, what message would you like to send to the pig farming community in Gangwon regarding the current quarantine measures?
Ahn Jae-wan: I want to emphasize the importance of vigilance and compliance with quarantine measures among pig farmers. It’s critical that they act quickly to rectify any identified deficiencies. Together, we can fortify our defenses against African swine fever and ensure a healthier environment for both livestock and our communities. The provincial government is here to support them through these processes.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Ahn Jae-wan, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that the province is taking serious steps to manage the situation, and we wish you the best in your ongoing efforts.
Ahn Jae-wan: Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.