A decade in the past, at a Korean railroad station, a tour information directed a visiting reporter away from a small cafe, saying solely “boshintang” was on the menu. The reporter later discovered that “boshintang” is canine meat stew, which older Koreans contemplate conventional meals and one thing of a delicacy.
But younger South Koreans usually tend to have dogs as pets than for dinner, and this week, the South Korean National Assembly overwhelmingly voted to make the slaughter and sale of dogs for his or her meat unlawful starting in 2027.
The legislation targets the canine meat commerce by making it unlawful to slaughter dogs for his or her meat or elevate dogs for his or her meat, with two and three-year jail phrases doable for these discovered responsible of such offenses.
Eating canine meat gained’t be unlawful beneath the brand new legislation, however the plan is to close down the trade that makes it doable.
South Korea has 1,600 eating places serving canine meat from 1,130 canine farms as of 2023. All of these institutions should file phase-out plans. The authorities will financially help these businesses as a bridge till they discover various sources of employment and revenue.
The three-year phase-out comes as the recognition of canine meat declines in South Korea as human meals declines. A Gallup ballot in 2023 discovered solely 8 p.c of the respondents had tried canine meat within the final 12 months, and fewer than one out of 5 supported the consumption.
“South Korea’s dog meat ban is a dream come true. This change overjoys us, and we thank lawmakers and local activists who have worked tirelessly to see this become a reality despite the dangers and pushback,” mentioned Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals. “Countless dogs will now be spared a horrifying death in the dog meat trade. We will continue our vital work during the phaseout period to save as many innocent lives as possible.”
It’s estimated that round 1 million dogs are nonetheless being raised and killed for canine meat yearly in South Korea. The new legislation permits for a three-year interval to section out the trade. It requires businesses concerned, akin to canine farms, butchers, merchants, and eating places, to register their businesses with native authorities to obtain monetary help.
In December 2023, the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee of the Korean National Assembly handed the Special Bill on the Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Consumption and Ending Dog Meat Consumption.
On Jan. 8, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee voted to cross the invoice. On Jan. 9, the National Assembly handed the ban, with 99 p.c of Assembly members voting in favor.
Animal activists have labored for 20 years to finish the canine meat commerce in South Korea.
(To join a free subscription to Food Safety News, click on right here.)
