The cap on compensation for livestock disposal due to disease outbreaks will increase from 80% to 90% of the livestock's assessed value. Farms that are the first to report major livestock diseases will be eligible for compensation of up to 100% of the assessed value. A new system for animal quarantine officers will also be introduced to strengthen border quarantine and on-site disease prevention efforts.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the amendments to the 'Livestock Disease Prevention Act' will be published on the 27th.
The revised law aims to enhance the effectiveness of the current system, which allows for the reduction of compensation for farms that violate quarantine obligations. If a farm is recognized for its first reporting or active disease prevention efforts, the reduction in compensation can be alleviated. Previously, even with such recognition, the final compensation could not exceed 80% of the assessed value.
Under the new regulations, the final compensation cap will be raised to 90%. Farms that first report major livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), and African swine fever will be eligible for compensation of up to 100% of the assessed value. Specific diseases and reporting criteria will be defined in subordinate legislation.
The Ministry aims to encourage voluntary reporting and participation in disease prevention among farmers, supporting early detection of livestock diseases and preventing their spread, while also stabilizing farm management.
A new system for animal quarantine officers will be established to assist animal quarantine officials. With the increase in international trade and travel, the demand for animal and livestock product quarantine has risen, but the number of veterinarians responsible for quarantine duties has not kept pace, leading to increased burdens on the field. In fact, the volume of quarantine work has more than doubled from 497,000 cases in 2015 to 1.04 million cases in 2025.
According to the revised law, the Animal Quarantine and Inspection Agency will be able to hire and assign animal quarantine officers. These officers will perform designated tasks such as livestock product quarantine and entry/exit reporting and disinfection under the guidance and supervision of animal quarantine officials. However, animal quarantine requiring veterinary judgment will continue to be handled by licensed veterinarians.
The Ministry plans to reduce the workload of quarantine personnel and enhance specialized quarantine capabilities to prevent the entry of foreign livestock diseases.
Support for the Livestock Hygiene and Quarantine Support Headquarters, which is responsible for on-site disease prevention, will also be established. Both the national and local governments will be able to support not only the costs of existing statutory projects but also the operational expenses of the quarantine headquarters. Additionally, individuals who have visited or transited through countries with livestock disease outbreaks will be clearly included among those required to report and undergo disinfection and quarantine measures.
The revised law will take effect six months after its announcement. The provisions regarding the compensation cap will apply only to cases that arise after the law comes into effect. The Ministry will prepare subordinate legislation outlining the compensation payment criteria, initial reporting procedures, and the qualifications and scope of duties for animal quarantine officers before implementation.
Lee Dong-sik, head of the Ministry's Quarantine Policy Bureau, stated, “This amendment allows us to increase the compensation cap for livestock disposal, thereby strengthening rewards for farms that actively participate in disease prevention. We will also enhance border quarantine and on-site disease prevention capabilities through the introduction of the animal quarantine officer system and the establishment of support for the Livestock Hygiene and Quarantine Support Headquarters.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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