South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Unveils Roadmap to End Dog Consumption by 2027
Sharing from: https://koreandogs.org/mafra-roadmap/
Below is South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Roadmap for Ending Dog Consumption by 2027, unveiled on September 26, 2024.
South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Unveils Roadmap to End Dog Consumption by 2027
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), led by Minister Song Mi-Ryung, has announced a “Basic Plan for Ending Dog Consumption.” This plan outlines targeted solutions by sector to end dog meat consumption by 2027.
According to the “Special Bill to End the Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Consumption” (Dog Consumption Abolition Act), enacted in February this year, breeding, slaughtering, distributing, and selling dogs for consumption will be prohibited starting February 7, 2027. Businesses currently involved in dog consumption must either transition to alternative practices or close by this deadline.
MAFRA has solidified its policy direction to end dog consumption through discussions with relevant ministries and stakeholders, informed by a survey of the industry status and research from specialized institutions. On September 24, the basic plan was reviewed and confirmed by the Committee for Ending Dog Consumption, chaired by Vice Minister Park Beom-Soo.
The basic plan aims to fully terminate dog consumption by 2027 and outlines specific implementation methods by focusing on three main strategies:
1. Incentives for early transition or closure by business type
2. Establishing a reliable implementation system for termination
3. Expanding social consensus.
The main contents of the basic plan are as follows:
First, we will support the necessary measures to transition or close down 5,898 dog meat businesses.
All 5,898 establishments in the dog meat industry that reported their operating status under the “Dog Consumption Abolition Act” have submitted plans to transition or suspend operations, and the government intends to actively support a smooth transition or closure.
* (’25 Government Budget (Draft)) A total of 109.5 billion KRW (approximately $80.2 million USD) is allocated for support, including 56.2 billion KRW (approximately $41.2 million USD) for business closure promotion funds and 30.5 billion KRW (approximately $22.3 million USD) for the residual value of farm owners’ facilities. This funding will be split equally, with 50% provided nationally and 50% locally.
** The final support amount for 2025 will be determined in December 2024, following the National Assembly budget review.
MAFRA will provide subsidies to farm owners to expedite their transition to business closure, prioritizing the early reduction of dog breeding for consumption. Farm owners who close their businesses early will receive increased subsidies, ranging from a maximum of 600,000 KRW (approximately $440 USD) to a minimum of 225,000 KRW (approximately $165 USD) per dog, depending on the closure timing. These amounts are based on the annual average number of dogs reported to the city, county, or district. However, the upper limit will be determined by the appropriate number* of dogs calculated based on the size of the breeding area.
* Manure discharge facilities (according to Article 11 of the “Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta”) reported area (㎡) × appropriate number of livestock per area (1.2 head/㎡)
Additionally, dog farm owners and slaughterhouse operators who close their businesses will receive support based on the residual value of their facilities, as determined through an appraisal. Local governments will act as agents for the demolition of these facilities. Low-interest loans for those transitioning to agriculture will be offered for related facilities or operational funds.
For distributors and restaurants closing their businesses, we plan to support store demolition costs (up to 2.5 million KRW in 2024, roughly $1.8K USD and up to 4 million KRW after 2025, roughly $2.9K USD) and re-employment success allowances (up to 1.9 million KRW in 2025, roughly $1.4K USD) in coordination with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ support project for small business closures. Additionally, if they change their menu or the type of meat sold, we will provide funding for replacing signboards and menu boards (up to 2.5 million KRW).
Second, we will establish a reliable system to ensure the smooth implementation of ending dog consumption.
To proactively reduce the breeding scale, currently estimated at around 466,000, the Ministry will encourage farm owners to voluntarily minimize breeding and conduct systematic inspections. Dogs that are inevitably left behind due to abandonment of breeding, etc., will be protected and managed, including through adoption support, in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.
Additionally, we plan to provide administrative support, including sector-specific consulting*, to businesses facing challenges transitioning or closing operations. This support aims to facilitate stable business transitions or closures while systematically inspecting and managing compliance with the obligations outlined in the “Dog Consumption Abolition Act.”
* Customized full-time consulting for farms wishing to switch to other livestock types (MAFRA), food hygiene consulting for full-time distributors and restaurant workers (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety), business closure consulting in connection with the support project for small business owners who are closing down (Ministry of SMEs and Startups)
Third, to ensure the stable establishment of the dog meat prohibition, we will promote social consensus and thoroughly enforce the ban on such activities as mandated by law starting in 2027.
Multifaceted campaigns and promotions will be launched to eradicate not only the commercial distribution network for dog consumption but also the culture surrounding it. These efforts will promote animal welfare awareness and enhance food culture. Education on the lifecycle of companion animals will be provided to foster public consensus on ending dog consumption.
After the grace period for the “Dog Consumption Abolition Act” ends in February 2027, joint inspection teams between the Ministry and local governments will be established to strictly enforce prohibitions on breeding, slaughtering, distributing, and selling dogs for consumption. Strong measures will also be taken against illegal activities, including cases of animal abuse where pets are stolen for consumption, ensuring strict enforcement of the “Dog Consumption Abolition Act” and other legal violations.
Vice Minister Park Beom-Su stated, “We will ensure that the implementation of the dog meat prohibition proceeds smoothly by taking thorough follow-up actions on the basic plan and engaging in proactive administration.” He added, “I hope that not only the relevant industries but also the public will actively cooperate with the government’s initiatives to achieve complete abolition within the specified timeframe.”
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