"Strengthening Traceability Management of Imported Agricultural Products Distribution"
Establishing Legal Basis for Customs Service Network Sharing
Moon Geum-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Jeonnam Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin), announced on the 1st that she has taken the lead in proposing the "Amendment to the Act on the Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products" to ensure smooth management of the distribution history of imported agricultural products.
The amendment is a bill aimed at supplementing the "Imported Agricultural Products Distribution History Management System," which was found to be poorly operated due to institutional limitations during the National Assembly audit last October.
Under the current law, importers are required to report the distribution routes of imported agricultural products and their processed goods to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. However, there have been criticisms that the Minister lacks the legal basis to obtain detailed information about importers and distributed goods from other agencies, limiting the management of distribution history.
The amendment establishes a legal basis allowing the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to request data provision and use of computer networks from related administrative agencies such as the Korea Customs Service when necessary for managing the distribution history of imported agricultural products.
Rep. Moon stated, "As food safety has been threatened by incidents such as Chinese kimchi produced in unsanitary environments being disguised and distributed as domestic products, thorough management of the distribution of imported agricultural products and processed goods is essential. I will do my utmost to enhance the effectiveness of the imported agricultural products distribution history management system to protect the safe dining tables of our people."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
