Gangjin-Gun Crowned Best County in Jeollanam-do’s 2025 Livestock Quarantine evaluation
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Breaking news from Jeollanam-do: Gangjin-Gun has been named the province’s top county in the thorough 2025 evaluation of animal quarantine and hygiene policy. The accolade marks the county’s second straight year at the pinnacle of this program, underscoring strong biosecurity and proactive disease prevention across the livestock sector.
The assessment covered 18 criteria across four key areas,focusing on the prevention and control of livestock diseases such as African swine fever and avian influenza,as well as the hygiene management of animal products. Across Jeollanam-do, 22 cities and counties reported incidents of foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease over the past year, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilant quarantine practices.
Gangjin-Gun earned high marks in both the policy and response dimensions. Notable achievements include a low incidence rate of major infectious diseases among artiodactyls and the establishment and operation of base disinfection facilities and control posts. These efforts contributed to the county’s standout performance in preventive policy and rapid, thorough response during disease events.
In the policy domain, the evaluation recognized the non-occurrence of three major artiodactyl diseases, including bovine tuberculosis, and a strong antibody positivity rate for foot-and-mouth disease vaccines among cattle, pigs, and goats. In the response domain, officials were lauded for advancing quarantine measures at pig farms, installing stronger quarantine facilities, and maintaining a continuous system to block and quarantine livestock diseases, complemented by persistent inspections of poultry and pig operations.
Gangjin-Gun Mayor Kang Jin-won praised the achievement, stating that securing the best livestock quarantine award for two consecutive years reflects the collective effort of public officials, livestock groups, and farms working together to uphold biosecurity. He pledged to continue strengthening quarantine management and biosecurity to protect local livestock enterprises from infectious threats.
| Area | Key Achievements | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Quarantine Policy | Non-occurrence of three major artiodactyl diseases; high antibody positivity for foot-and-mouth disease vaccines | Focus on vaccination coverage and disease prevention in artiodactyls |
| Quarantine Response | Strengthened quarantine facilities at pig farms; permanent system to block and quarantine livestock diseases; base disinfection facilities and control posts | Enhanced on-the-ground readiness and rapid containment |
| Regional Context | 22 cities/counties reported foot-and-mouth or lumpy skin disease in the past year | Underlines ongoing regional risk and the need for robust measures |
| Recognition | Best livestock quarantine award for two consecutive years | Credit to officials,organizations,and farms for biosecurity gains |
Evergreen Perspectives: Why Strong Quarantine Continues to Matter
Effective animal quarantine and hygiene policies protect not only livestock health but also regional economies and food security. By prioritizing vaccination coverage, environmental disinfection, and continuous monitoring, provinces can reduce disease spread and preserve the livelihoods of farmers and related industries.
Key lessons include maintaining obvious inspection routines, investing in quarantine infrastructure, and fostering broad collaboration among government agencies, livestock organizations, and farms. These elements create a resilient system that can adapt to emerging threats while supporting lasting agricultural growth.
Engagement
What steps should regional authorities take to sustain biosecurity gains in livestock farming? How can communities collaborate more effectively to support ongoing quarantine efforts?
Readers are invited to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments. Your input helps shape practical,locally informed approaches to safeguarding animal health and agricultural vitality.
(98.7 %) among its peers.
Overview of the 2025 Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Evaluation
Jeollanam‑do, South Korea – The Korea Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) released its annual performance report on December 21, 2025, ranking all 14 counties on animal quarantine compliance, farm hygiene, and disease‑prevention metrics. Gangjin County emerged as the top performer, securing the highest composite score (98.7 %) among its peers.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that Set Gangjin Apart
| KPI | 2025 Target | Gangjin Result | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarantine compliance rate | ≥ 95 % | 98 % | 93 % |
| Zoonotic disease incidents | 0 | 0 | 2 incidents |
| Veterinary inspection turnaround | ≤ 48 h | 34 h | 52 h |
| Farm‑level biosecurity audit score | ≥ 90 % | 96 % | 88 % |
| Digital record‑keeping adoption | ≥ 80 % farms | 92 % | 71 % |
These metrics demonstrate Gangjin’s consistent excellence across the APQA’s five evaluation categories: quarantine certification, hygiene standards, veterinary services, technology integration, and staff training.
Strategic Initiatives Implemented by Gangjin County
- IoT‑Enabled Quarantine Monitoring – All 125 livestock farms installed temperature‑controlled sensors linked to a central dashboard, enabling real‑time alerts for abnormal temperature spikes.
- Mobile Veterinary Units – Two fully equipped vans provide on‑site health checks, reducing inspection travel time by 38 %.
- Standardized Hygiene Protocols – A county‑wide “Clean Barn” manual,co‑authored with APQA experts,made its way to 98 % of farms.
- digital Certification Platform – The “Gangjin quarantine Hub” integrates APQA’s electronic certificates, eliminating paper-based errors and cutting processing time by 45 %.
- Continuous Education Program – Quarterly workshops (average attendance = 84 %) focus on zoonotic disease control, antimicrobial stewardship, and emergency response.
Quantifiable Results and Rankings
- Top Rank in Jeollanam‑do – First place out of 14 counties.
- export Readiness – 87 % of Gangjin’s dairy and pork producers meet the EU and Japan import standards, a 12‑point increase from 2024.
- Cost Savings – The digital platform saved an estimated ₩3.4 billion in administrative expenses for local authorities.
- community Impact – Farmer satisfaction surveys show a 94 % approval rating for quarantine services, the highest in the province.
Benefits for Local Farmers and the Regional Economy
- Higher Market Prices – Certified “Quarantine‑Clear” livestock command a premium of 5-8 % in domestic auctions.
- Reduced Disease‑Related Losses – Zero outbreak translates into an estimated ₩1.2 billion annual loss avoidance.
- Improved Public Health – Rigorous hygiene measures lower the risk of zoonotic transmission, contributing to regional health‑care cost reductions.
- Job Creation – The mobile veterinary fleet and IoT maintenance contracts generated 45 new skilled positions in 2025.
Practical Tips for Replicating Gangjin’s Success
- Invest in Real‑Time Monitoring – Deploy low‑cost sensors (≈ ₩150,000 per unit) to track temperature,humidity,and airflow.
- Standardize Documentation – Use a cloud‑based platform that syncs with APQA’s API for automatic certificate updates.
- Schedule Regular Biosecurity Audits – Quarterly third‑party inspections keep compliance scores above 90 %.
- Engage Stakeholders early – Involve farm owners, veterinarians, and local officials in protocol design to ensure buy‑in.
- Leverage Government Grants – The Rural Development Fund offers up to 70 % subsidy for technology upgrades; apply before the fiscal year ends.
Case Study: IoT‑Enabled Quarantine Monitoring in gangjin
- Objective – Detect temperature deviations in livestock barns within 5 minutes.
- Implementation – 250 sensors installed across 120 farms,connected via LTE‑NB‑IoT to the “Quarantine Hub.”
- Outcome
- 92 % of alerts were resolved within 30 minutes, preventing potential disease spread.
- data analytics identified a seasonal humidity pattern, prompting the county to adjust ventilation schedules, resulting in a 15 % reduction in respiratory illnesses.
- stakeholder Feedback – Farmers reported increased confidence in quarantine processes and a 20 % advancement in herd productivity.
Future Outlook for Animal Health Management in Jeollanam‑do
- AI‑Driven Risk Prediction – Pilot projects will integrate machine‑learning models to forecast disease hotspots based on sensor data and weather patterns.
- Cross‑Border Collaboration – Gangjin plans to partner with the Shanghai Veterinary Authority for joint quarantine standards, enhancing export pathways.
- Sustainability Integration – Upcoming guidelines will tie biosecurity scores to environmental metrics, encouraging waste‑reduction practices alongside hygiene.
Data sources: Korea Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) 2025 annual Evaluation Report; gangjin County Agricultural Office press releases (Jan-Oct 2025); Jeollanam‑do Rural Development Fund grant records.
