Western Producer reporter Barbara Duckworth is filing from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, Colorado
DENVER, CO. – The foot and mouth epidemic in South Korea will likely cost its government $3 billion.
Since the disease was diagnosed on Nov. 23 in the northern region, 142 farms have been confirmed positive as of Feb. 3.
“It is premature to say what is the origin. We don’t know yet,” said Songmoo Heo, the South Korean embassy veterinary attaché in Washington, D.C.
About three million cattle, hogs, elk and goats have been destroyed, he said at an emerging disease committee meeting at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Denver, Colorado.
About four percent of the cowherd and 20 percent of the swine herd has been lost. Pork prices have doubled so government eliminated the 22 percent tariff but duties continue on imported beef.
Full compensation has been paid to farmers whose animals were destroyed, as well as payments to abattoirs and livestock markets forced to close. Living expenses for three to six months are offered to those whose businesses were closed or to farm families where livestock was destroyed. Restocking funds are also available.
The United States departments of agriculture and homeland security believe a similar outbreak in the U.S. would cost $10 billion so planning is underway to prepare.
“You have to be prepared for the diseases you know and what unknown ones might come,” said Jamie Johnson of homeland security.
The major challenge in the U.S. is controlling movement of farm animals and vehicles in a quarantined area.
About 625,000 swine are moving each day. If this disease hit the hog industry the results would be devastating.
“By the time APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) detects it, 10 percent of our plants will already be contaminated,” said Darrel Styles, senior staff veterinarian with the animal and plant health inspection service.
