Farmers, experts, and consumer groups will have increased participation in the establishment of eco-friendly agriculture policies. The government will designate eco-friendly agriculture support centers to assist farmers with technical and management challenges, and it will have the authority to issue corrective orders against online advertisements that mislead consumers into believing uncertified products are eco-friendly.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that a revised eco-friendly agriculture law will be promulgated on the 27th, with implementation set for April 22, 2027.
The revision mandates the establishment of an Eco-Friendly Agriculture Development Committee to review eco-friendly agriculture policies. This committee aims to incorporate the opinions of farmers, experts, and consumer groups, which were previously determined mainly through internal discussions within the ministry.
The committee will consist of up to 25 members, including two co-chairs from the government and the private sector. It will review major policies related to the establishment and modification of eco-friendly agriculture promotion plans, performance evaluations, productivity enhancement strategies, and improvements to certification systems.
Legal grounds have also been established for the designation of eco-friendly agriculture support centers. These centers will be designated from institutions or organizations with specialized personnel and facilities to provide on-site support for the technical and managerial difficulties faced by eco-friendly farmers.
Procedures for certifying organic products will be improved, including the appeals process. The period for requesting a re-examination of certification results will be extended from the current 7 days to within 30 days, and applicants will be notified of the results within 14 days.
Regulations against misleading and exaggerated online advertisements have also been clarified. The government will be able to issue orders to stop, correct, or delete advertisements that mislead consumers into thinking uncertified products are certified. Legal grounds for penalties will be established for those who fail to comply with these orders without just cause.
Measures to expand the use of eco-friendly certified products in public meals have also been included. Institutions operating collective meal services established by central and local governments will be included in the priority purchase list for eco-friendly agricultural products, thereby broadening market access for eco-friendly producers.
Lee Si-hye, Director of Agricultural Industry Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, “This legal amendment will strengthen the systematic development and on-site support for eco-friendly agriculture. Through the Eco-Friendly Agriculture Development Committee and support centers, we will ensure that farmers' voices are reflected in policies and that unfair practices such as unjustified certification cancellations and misleading advertisements are carefully addressed.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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