On 28 June, South Korean Democratic Party Assembly Member Jeoung-ae Han presented a legal costs that looks for to get rid of the dog meat market. The costs is set to forbid the breeding and massacre of dogs for human usage, forbiding dog meat farms, dog slaughterhouses, and the sale of dog meat throughout South Korea – along with supporting dog farmers to shift to option businesses.
The costs, called a Special Act, has actually been invited by Humane Society International Korea (HSI), which has actually been dealing with the ground in the nation considering that 2015. HSI/Korea runs a scheme in the country working in partnership with dog farmers, to help them leave the dog meat market and shift to a more gentle income. Several farmers have actually left the market thanks to this plan, saying that dog meat farming has “no future” in South Korea.
An approximated one million dogs are still intensively reproduced on countless farms throughout the nation, normally in incredibly low-welfare conditions, with lots of taken animals amongst them. However, as only a small minority of Koreans consuming dog meat, the trade has actually seen a growing opposition within the nation – especially amongst younger generations. The Special Act comes at a time of increasing public and political assistance for ending the dog meat market in South Korea, with very first lady Kim Keon-hee having openly called for a ban.
Borami Seo, director of federal government affairs at HSI/Korea who works carefully with legislators to attain legislation, says, “This is an historic moment for animal welfare in South Korea which hopefully marks the beginning of the end for the dog meat industry in our country. It’s clear that there is significant societal and political momentum to end South Korea’s dog meat era once and for all. This Special Act aims to establish the state plan to end the dog meat industry and offer farmers business transition opportunities that will also see an end to the abuse and suffering of hundreds of thousands of dogs each year for a meat that most people in Korea do not wish to eat.”
“Dog meat consumption may have been a part of Korea’s past, but it has no place in our future. HSI/Korea’s Models for Change program provides a working blueprint for how we can phase out this industry in co-operation instead of conflict with farmers. It’s now time for our legislators to pass this Special Act so that together we can consign this dying industry to the history books.”
If the costs passes, financial backing will be offered to close or shift lawfully signed up dog farms, offering getting involved farmers with aids to support their shift, along with profession modification training or assistance. The complete restriction on the breeding and massacre of dogs for human usage would enter into impact 5 years after the law is passed.
