Members of the Korean Dog Meat Association hold banners during a rally against the South Korean government's dog meat policy, outside the presidential office on Aug 1. - Photo: EPA-EFE
SEOUL: South Korea is poised to announce compensation plans for dog meat sellers in September, in a follow-up to its passage of a Bill in January banning the eating and selling of dog meat.
The country seeks to end the centuries-old yet controversial practice amid growing support for animal welfare.
“We will announce the basic plan in September after consulting with financial authorities,” the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on Friday (Aug 2).
“Nothing specific has been decided yet regarding the support plan,” it added.
The statement came after a media report about the findings of a study by the Korea Rural Economic Research Institute.
Based on a survey of the dog industry, it calculated the annual net profit of breeders at 310,000 won (US$228.25) per edible dog.
This is expected to influence fiscal authorities’ judgment regarding the support that should be provided, and compensation costs are estimated to be at a level that maximises farmers’ profits.
Taking into account the industry’s net profit, the annual support amount to all dog meat sellers could reach over 150 billion won, according to the study.
The government and breeders’ association have been negotiating the method and scale of compensation, as well as the number of years the sellers’ compensation would be eligible for, ahead of the law’s full implementation in 2027.
There are 1,507 farms raising more than 500,000 dogs for consumption currently.
This is a dramatic 35 per cent drop compared to five years ago, according to government research in 2023.
The ban, which was passed with 208 votes in favour, none against and two abstentions, will take effect after a grace period of three years.
Starting in 2027, those who breed, butcher, distribute or sell dog meat for human consumption may be jailed up to three years or fined up to 30 million won. - The Korea Herald/ANN
