South Korea to introduce block chain to beef sector

In a joint statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Science and ICT, it said: “[The] Block Chain Based Livestock History Management System can simultaneously improve the reliability and promptness of the current history service by storing and sharing the history information and various certificates of the beef circulation stage in the block chain.​

Due to be piloted in December at a farm and slaughterhouse in Jeonbuk Province, the system will cover cattle rearing, slaughtering, packing and where it is to be sold.

Currently, the South Korean system takes five days to obtain information but it is hoped the new system will significantly reduce the time taken. The scheme is being introduced to provide information to the public and react more quickly when beef hygiene and safety problems occur.

The Government plans to closely analyse the pilot projects and potentially expand the project to the pig industry.