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Agriculture ministry launches unit to monitor dog meat ban
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung, center, joins an opening ceremony at the minister's building in Sejong Government Complex, Monday, for the ministry's new team to monitor the dog meat ban that takes effect in 2027. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
By Ko Dong-hwan
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a new team of government officials and private experts to see to it that Korea's dog meat industry halts trade from 2027 when the trade ban comes into full effect, according to ministry officials, Monday.
The move follows the National Assembly's passage of a special bill banning consumption of dog meat in the country on Jan. 9.
The team's office was opened at the ministry's building in Sejong Government Complex the same day. Food Minister Song Mi-ryung said that the event signified the opening of "a special milestone for the history of animal welfare in the country."
The new team has two main bureaus, one of which is the existing Animal Welfare Policy Division under the ministry's Animal Welfare and Environment Policy Bureau. The other bureau, newly established, pursues promoting a ban on dog meat consumption and supporting citizens involved in the dog meat industry to switch their professions or shut down their current businesses.
To cater to dog meat traders across the country effectively, the team launched new partnerships with local governments to form a task force involving both central and local authorities. Lawyers, property appraisers and animal rights activists have also joined the team as advisers.
The team will pen legal procedures for dog meat business shutdowns, introduce future policies and propose legislation for the purpose.
"For the country's flawless turnaround to become a country that has announced a ban on dog meat trade, we have launched a dedicated organization before the ban comes into effect," the minister said. "We will keep communicating with dog meat traders and animal rights groups to come up with alternatives for the traders and put an end to the industry."
Following the special bill's passage, establishing new dog meat businesses and expanding existing ones are banned. Dog meat farms now in business must submit a business closure plan to local authorities within six months.