Government Launches Full-Scale Effort to Combat Livestock Heatwave... 'Emergency Water Supply System Established'

[Financial News]  The government has established a new 'Heatwave Response Livestock Damage Minimization TF' to prevent the spread of livestock damage due to the heatwave, and will mobilize approximately 960 vehicles owned by local governments and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to establish an emergency water supply system within livestock farms.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held an emergency meeting on the 11th, presided over by the Director of Food Policy, with the participation of local governments nationwide, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and producer organizations, to announce measures to address heatwave damage in the livestock sector.
As of the 10th, a total of 526,006 livestock, including 19,768 pigs and 506,238 poultry such as chickens, have been reported dead. This accounts for approximately 0.17% of the pig population and 0.02% of laying hens. Participants expressed concern that while there is no immediate fear of a sharp rise in livestock prices, if the unusual heatwave persists, the damage could exponentially increase.
In response, the government will implement proactive measures including △operation of a TF involving the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, local governments, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute △mobilization of 960 local government and cooperative vehicles for an emergency water supply system △emergency supply of essential materials such as ice, immune boosters, and shading nets △adjustment of slaughter volumes and expansion of discount events in case of abnormal livestock supply signals.
The government also plans to monitor the number of animals slaughtered, wholesale prices, and distribution volumes daily to detect any abnormal supply signals early and activate supply stabilization measures immediately if necessary.
Local governments will use disaster response reserve funds to support the installation of shading nets and ventilation fans for high-risk farms and provide feed additives such as immune boosters and stress relievers to help livestock withstand the heat. The related budget of approximately 22.1 billion won already secured by local governments is expected to be fully executed by August.
Kim Jong-gu, Director of Food Policy, stated, "Timeliness is crucial in responding to heatwave damage, so from early next week, all departments will move swiftly to ensure practical support reaches farms."



spring@fnnews.com Lee Bo-mi Reporter