The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on the 31st that export restrictions to Hong Kong related to domestic livestock disease outbreaks will be eased.
Previously, if foot-and-mouth disease occurred, all farms in the province where the outbreak occurred could not export to Hong Kong for one year. But starting Sept. 1, only farms in the city or county where foot-and-mouth disease occurs will face export restrictions. This follows an agreement under which the ministry will provide the Hong Kong government with technical materials on Korea's quarantine and disease control management conditions.
In February, foot-and-mouth disease occurred in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, and in July in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, blocking exports to Hong Kong for premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, from Gyeonggi and North Gyeongsang. With this measure, exports of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, to Hong Kong will be allowed across Gyeonggi except Goyang and across North Gyeongsang except Yecheon starting Sept. 1.
A ministry official said, "We will continue to actively pursue quarantine negotiations between countries to diversify export markets for livestock products and expand exports," adding, "We will use various opportunities, including international conferences and high-level exchanges, to accelerate the conclusion of negotiations."