Authorities have confirmed the first case in 18 years of swine fever on a Jeju pig farm. Pork is no longer being supplied to the local market after slaughterhouse operations were suspended. Lee Heejung reports.
[SLUG]
First confirmed case of swine fever in Jeju since 1998

There hasn’t been a case of swine fever in Jeju since 1998 and the island stopped vaccinating against the disease nearly two decades ago. But on Wednesday a case of swine fever was confirmed at a hog farm in Hallim and Jeju might lose its status as an area which is free of the disease.

Authorities are now examining serum samples of pigs near the hog farm.
If more cases are found, tens of thousand pigs could be earmarked for disposal.

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Province considering vaccinations to control spread

The province is considering inoculating pigs to control the spread of the disease.

Once a pig is vaccinated, over 95 percent of inoculated animals produce swine fever antibodies.

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Jeju may lose ‘disease-free’ status

However, if the province decides to inoculate its pigs, the island would have to give up its status as a region free of the disease.

INTERVIEW
Gang Seung-su / Provincial representative
If we vaccinate all of the pigs, possible problems will be resolved. But we need to consult with pig farm owners and relevant associations because the vaccinations may negatively affect local pork prices and the competitiveness of the local industry.
< 강승수 / 제주도 농축산식품국장 >
백신을 돼지에 투입해버리면 모든 게 다 해결됩니다. 그런데 문제는 청정지역을 지켜서 다른 지역하고 가격 경쟁력이나 제주의 청정을 유지해야 하기 때문에 그 부분은 농가나 생산자단체와 같이 고민해서

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Slaughterhouse closed

The pork industry is being adversely affected by this outbreak. The island’s only pig slaughterhouse used to process 3,000 animals a day. But this facility has been shut down, and pork is not being supplied to the market.

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Emergency meeting in wake of outbreak (June 29)

Pork wholesalers and restaurants are also being affected by the outbreak.
Pork is not being shipped to the island from the mainland and the industry is only expected to resume on July 1st at the earliest, which would mean increases in pork prices.

INTERVIEW
Yi Wi-jeong / Chair, Emergency meeting on swine fever
We’re not able to control pork prices when we can’t supply pork. There are no alternatives.
< 이위정 / 제주축산물유통협의회 비상대책위원장 >
제일 문제가 돼지가 수급조절 안돼서 가격 폭등하면 대안이 없어요. 대안이 없기 때문에 그게 가장 문제라...

SYNC
Livestock wholesaler
Everyone in the office is busy answering phone calls but all they can do is apologize. This is an important issue for restaurant owners. If their business is shut down for a day, or two or more, their livelihood may be at stake.
축산물 유통업자
직원들 전화통 붙잡고 아무 것도 못해요. 물건도 없지만, 죄송하다 말만 하고 있어요. 하루, 이틀, 사흘 그 사람들(식당)은 생계가 달린거 아닙니까, 장사를 해야되는데 고기는 하나도 없지, 그럼 어떻게 해야 합니까?

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

[reporter]
Lee Hee-jung

This rare swine fever outbreak is now putting local businesses -- and the pork industry -- on edge and at risk.

Lee Hee-jung KCTV