South Korea to ban consuming canines

SEOUL, Nov 17 (Reuters) – South Korea goals to ban consuming canine meat and put an finish to the controversy over the traditional customized amid rising consciousness of animal rights, a ruling get together coverage chief mentioned on Friday.

The Korean follow of consuming canine has drawn criticism from abroad for its cruelty however there has additionally been rising opposition at house, notably from the youthful technology.

“It’s time to put an finish to social conflicts and controversies round canine meat consumption by the enactment of a particular act to finish it,” Yu Eui-dong, coverage chief of the ruling Individuals Energy Occasion, mentioned at a gathering with authorities officers and animal rights activists.

The federal government and ruling get together would introduce a invoice this yr to implement a ban, Yu mentioned, including that with anticipated bipartisan help, the invoice ought to sail by parliament.

Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun advised the assembly the federal government would implement a ban rapidly and supply the utmost doable help for these within the canine meat trade to shut their companies.

First woman Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal critic of canine meat consumption and, alongside together with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has adopted stray canines.

Anti-dog meat payments have failed up to now due to protests by these concerned within the trade, and fear concerning the livelihoods of farmers and restaurant homeowners.

The proposed ban will embrace a three-year grace interval and monetary help for companies to transition out of the commerce.

Consuming canine meat has been an age-old follow on the Korean peninsula and is seen as a option to beat the summer season warmth.

However it’s a lot much less frequent than it was once in South Korea, although it’s nonetheless eaten by some older folks and served in sure eating places.

Animal rights teams welcomed the prospect of a ban. “A dream come true for all of us who’ve campaigned so arduous to finish this cruelty,” Humane Society Worldwide mentioned in an announcement.

There are about canine 1,150 breeding farms, 34 slaughter homes, 219 distribution corporations, and a few 1,600 eating places serving canine, in accordance with authorities information.

A Gallup Korea ballot final yr confirmed 64% opposed canine meat consumption. The survey discovered solely 8% of respondents had eaten canine inside the previous yr, down from 27% in 2015.

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