[Editorial] Support the Dying Poultry and Duck Industry

Due to excessive anxiety toward the avian flu, we fear the possible collapse of the poultry and duck industry which employs 700,000 people. U.S. and Japan did not experience any decline in poultry and duck consumption, however Korea’s demand fell by 70 percent, clearly showing the quick spread of poultry and duck fears. This is due to the government’s ignorance and irrational dietary culture.

Unlike Japan and Thailand where the prime ministers alleviated the citizens’ concerns by launching huge campaigns promoting the consumption of chicken and duck, the Korean government seems to be groping through clouds. The news broadcasts overly reacted to reports and also increased the horror.

According to the professionals, the avian flu virus exists in infected chicken and duck secretion and is killed in temperature higher than 75 degrees Celsius, thus when eaten fried and cooked, it is perfectly safe. The government should have actively promoted this fact to assure the public. In Japan, chicken prices went up due to an import ban of southeastern Asian poultry. Even the U.S. Armed Forces increased their poultry consumption.

Our dietary habit is not scientific or rational, but rather is superficial and thus wavers all the time. If there is a rumor that something is good for our health, we sprint to the shops and empty the shelves before we evaluate it scientifically. On the other hand, when avian flu and mad cow disease erupt overseas, we abandon safe domestic products.

If this continues, related industries’ base will fall and 140,000 poultry farms, 10,000 chicken shops, and countless chicken and duck restaurants will all be closed. The industry is fighting for their lives by registering for insurance, which guarantees two billion won to whomever catches avian flu by eating chicken or duck. It is right to be cautious of infection; however, it is definitely wrong to kill the poultry industry with an unreasonable fear.