– Gyeonggi Province and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Conclude MOU for Research into Mad Cow Disease and Environmental Protection

On July 16, Gyeonggi Province entered into an MOU for joint research with the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB). Through this MOU with UAB, a global leader in environmental technologies, the province aims to respond to various forms of zoonosis, including mad cow disease and avian influenza, and to efficiently manage water quality while coping with factors such as a highly concentrated population in the metropolitan area and numerous environmental changes.

Gyeonggi Province is priortoizing the safety of its stock farm products as it has the largest number of domesticated animals in the nation; its related facilities, such as slaughterhouses, account for more than 20% Korea¡？s total stock farm facilities. The province has managed its water resources by designating water system protection zones to protect the water quality of the Han River, but further research in the area of water quality management policies are deemed necessary as the population of the metropolitan area has now exceeded 25 million and it is believed that environmental changes will result in water shortages.

In Spain, a total of 707 cases of mad cow disease have been reported since 2000, but the country was designated as a “Controlled BSE Risk Nation” by the OIE in May of 2008. Ninety-seven researchers are actively participating in research into mad cow disease at CreSA of UAB; ICTA, which consists of 80 environmental experts, is striving to improve the environment worldwide. Dr. Louis Lemkow, head of the ICTA, served as an advisor of an international organization when the oil spill occurred in the Taean region in Korea.

Gyeonggi Province plans to research methods to resolve water quality issues through technology exchanges in the area of water quality management. It also plans to take preventive measures against mad cow disease and avian influenza, key issues for the province, based on the MOU with UAB.