March 31, 2026

South Korean government task force to help implement policy of improving stocking density for layer hens

South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has formed a task force (TF) to ensure the smooth implementation of its policy to improve the stocking density for layer hens, hens that lay eggs, and will provide funding support for facility improvements.

The ministry held the first TF meeting on March 25 under the chairmanship of Head of the Livestock Policy Bureau Lee Jae-sik and discussed these matters, it announced.

The improvement of layer hen stocking density is a policy to expand the rearing area per hen from the current 0.05㎡ to 0.075㎡ for animal welfare. Originally scheduled to be implemented in September of last year, it was converted to a voluntary initiative by farmers until September of next year, considering factors such as egg price instability.

Currently, approximately 60% of all layer hen farms have transitioned to the improved rearing environment, but the remaining farms continue to maintain the existing methods due to reasons such as large scale or expansion regulations.

To promote the improvement of stocking density, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to support farms that undertake facility improvements using funds such as the Livestock Facility Modernization Fund. It also intends to implement a plan to directly provide subsidies to farms that have completed permits, deviating from the existing method of channeling support through local governments.

By designating regional officers to connect one-on-one with farms, the ministry will receive implementation plans by April and push forward with customised support, including reducing the number of reared hens, facility improvements, and relocation plans.

To prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), the ministry is considering inducing the relocation of farms in areas along the western coast migratory bird routes and expanding related compensation support.

- The Chosun Daily