SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- Research facilities at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency can be used by a private firm to produce African swine fever (ASF) vaccines, the state audit agency said Wednesday.

The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) made the assessment after a local veterinary vaccine company asked to use facilities at the animal and plant quarantine agency to produce ASF vaccines that the company had developed on its own ahead of major pharmaceutical firms.

The quarantine agency had difficulty making a decision on the request because related regulations could be interpreted to mean that the facilities may be used only for research and experimental purposes.

The agency then asked the BAI for advice, and the audit agency determined that the vaccine firm can be allowed to use the facilities as related regulations call for cooperation between the government and private entities to help commercialize technologies, among other purposes.

The BAI also noted the decision is in line with various support measures that the government is taking to help local vaccine companies gain a competitive edge in the highly competitive global vaccine market, such as expedited permits for vaccines intended for export.

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