2 months ago
Photos by: Jean Chung for HSI
South Korean Democrat To party Jeoung-ae Han, Member of the Assembly, has just presented legislation which seeks to eliminate the dog meat industry by banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for human consumption, including banning dog meat farms, dog slaughterhouses and the sale of dog meat throughout South Korea, and helping dog breeders switch to alternative businesses.
The bill, called special law, come after Humane Society International (HSI)/ Korea worked behind the scenes with Korean lawmakers on a ban on dog meat. Since 2015, HSI/Korea Models for Change Program worked with dog breeders to permanently shut down 18 farms, save more than 2,700 dogs, and helping farmers transition to alternative livelihoods, such as delivering water or growing chili plants.
THE Special law“supported by 11 bipartisan sponsors,” comes at a time of growing public and political support for an end to South Korea’s dog meat industry. First Lady Kim Keon-hee openly called for a ban, and the last opinion polls by Nielsen Korea, commissioned by HSI/Korea, show that 87.5% of the population does not eat dog meat or will not in the future, and 56% support a legislative ban. In December 2021, the government formed a task force to make recommendations on the matter, but after repeated delays Assemblyman Han and HSI/Korea have come together to push forward this special law to expedite its phase-out.
“This is a historic moment for animal welfare in South Korea that will hopefully mark the beginning of the end for the dog meat industry in our country. It is clear that there is significant societal and political momentum to end the era of dog meat in South Korea once and for all,” said Borami Seo, Director of Government Affairs at HSI/Korea, who works closely with legislators to achieve legislation.
“This special law is intended to establish a state plan to end the dog meat industry and provide farmers with business transition opportunities that will also end the abuse and suffering of hundreds of thousands of dogs every year. year for a meat that most Koreans eat. I do not want to eat.
“Eating dog meat may be part of Korea’s past, but it has no place in our future. HSI/Korea’s Models for Change program provides a working model of how we can phase out this industry in cooperation rather than in conflict with farmers. Now is the time for our legislators to pass this special law so that together we can relegate this dying industry to the history books,” Seo continued.
Unfortunately, an estimate a million dogs are still bred intensively on thousands of farms across the country, usually in extremely precarious welfare conditions. Dogs are kept in small, sterile wire cages without proper food, water, stimulation, comfort, shelter or veterinary care. Painful skin and eye infections are common, as are illnesses, untreated wounds, and battle wounds from boredom, frustration, and limited resources, such as food. While most dogs are born on farms, one often finds abandoned animals still wearing their collars when taken to the slaughterhouse or discarded from the pet breeding industry. Horribly, death usually occurs by electrocution.
“According to Food Sanitation Law, dog meat is not considered food, which is why this cruel industry is already operating in violation of the law. It is therefore imperative that this special law be enacted to end the breeding, slaughter, processing and sale of dogs for consumption,” Han told HSI/Korea. “Dog meat not only causes unnecessary suffering to animals, it also threatens public health due to unsanitary conditions. We urgently need this special law to shut down the dog meat industry and provide transitional support to farmers.”
Article 6 of the special law provides for the establishment of a closure plan for dog meat farms and associated businesses and support for their transition. Under this clause, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must include in the plan how protection will be provided for dogs on farms that choose to close within five years of the entry into force of the law. Article 8 provides the legal basis for establishing a government committee to end the dog meat industry, made up of up to 25 representatives from relevant ministries and other stakeholders.
If the bill passes, financial support will be provided to close or transfer legally registered dog farms. Mirroring HSI/Korea Models for change program, participating farmers will receive grants to support their transition, as well as training or career change advice.
A total ban on the breeding and slaughter of dogs for human consumption would come into effect five years after the law is passed.