Lee Gi-hong, President of the Korean Pork Association and the Korean Pork Promotion Committee, emphasized the need for government policies to focus on the realities of the field to address current issues in the pork industry. He argued that major regulations regarding quarantine, livestock waste, and barn facilities must be revised to create a sustainable production base.
On July 16, the Korean Pork Association and the Korean Pork Promotion Committee held a meeting with reporters from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Sejong City to discuss key issues in the pork industry and future policy directions. The meeting was attended by over 60 participants, including President Lee, officials from the Ministry, and staff from the association and promotion committee.
In his opening remarks, Lee stated, “While the association is a rights protection organization, we cannot communicate with the government if we only pursue our own interests. We must understand the government’s position while effectively advocating for farmers’ interests.”
He explained that since taking office, he has been working to improve regulations in areas such as distribution, quarantine, and livestock waste resource management through communication with the government and the National Assembly. Regarding the approach to government policies, he asserted, “We will not engage in ‘asphalt farming’ but will persuade and lead the government as a partner, not just a subject of its policies.”
Lee identified the urgent task of transitioning to a field-centered quarantine system. He pointed out that the response to African Swine Fever (ASF) should focus on preventing disease rather than merely implementing quarantine measures.
Based on its experience in responding to ASF, the association is demanding improvements to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the establishment of a reasonable compensation system for damages not caused by farmers, and the relaxation of movement restrictions. He also noted recent revisions to the foot-and-mouth disease SOP, which included adjustments to the criteria for initial outbreaks and allowed the movement of live animals within the quarantine zone.
Improvements to the compensation system for culling livestock were also highlighted as a priority. The association has proposed amendments to the Livestock Infectious Disease Control Act to increase compensation for initial reports of culling from 80% to 100% and for subsequent occurrences from 80% to 90%. They plan to continue advocating for full compensation and management loss compensation during the rest period before restocking.
Regarding livestock waste policies, Lee urged a shift in perspective to view waste as a resource. He emphasized the need for regulatory improvements to expand the use of liquid fertilizer and promote fertilizer resource management.
The association is pursuing a plan to transfer the jurisdiction of liquid fertilizer, registered as a fertilizer production industry, from the Ministry of Environment’s Livestock Waste Management Act to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Fertilizer Management Act to unify application standards. They are also working on practical regulatory improvements, such as relaxing ammonia emission standards for livestock waste treatment facilities.
To enhance productivity, Lee argued for the institutionalization of biosecurity measures in pig farms and increased support for modernizing barn facilities. Biosecurity measures manage the disease adaptation process of incoming breeding pigs to prevent disease spread within farms and improve productivity.
He stated, “To increase productivity, facility modernization and disease management must come first,” and called for collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to address issues related to building coverage regulations from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and emission standards from the Ministry of Environment.
To expand pork consumption and diversify export markets, the Korean Pork Promotion Committee plans to continue promotional activities to boost domestic consumption and enhance brand value, while also exploring overseas markets in Singapore and Mongolia to broaden export opportunities.
Lee concluded, “Government policies only hold meaning when they operate effectively in the field. We will do our utmost to reflect the voices of pork farmers in policies through close cooperation with the government, the National Assembly, and the media.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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