From Post-Disaster Response to Preemptive Prevention of Agricultural Surpluses
Grain, Agricultural Product Price Stabilization, and Essential Agricultural Materials Acts Expected to Pass Before Harvest Season
The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have agreed to advance the Hanwoo Act and the Essential Agricultural Materials Act, both of which have already passed the standing committee, as well as the Four Agricultural Acts (the Grain Management Act, the Agricultural Product Price Stabilization Act, the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Protection Act, and the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Countermeasures Act).
On the afternoon of June 27, Democratic Party lawmakers who are members of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held a party-government meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mireyong at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, and decided to push forward with the six agricultural bills.
Lee Wontak, a Democratic Party lawmaker and the ruling party secretary of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, told reporters after the meeting, “We believe that the Disaster Insurance Act and the Disaster Countermeasures Act should be passed in July or August so that farmers do not have to worry about natural disasters. We also plan to pass the Grain Act, the Agricultural Product Price Stabilization Act, and the Essential Agricultural Materials Act through the National Assembly before the harvest season, in August or September. To that end, we will consult with the opposition parties as well.”
Lee particularly noted, “With regard to the Grain Act, both the party and the government agreed without disagreement that if an overproduction of rice is forecast for the year, preemptive supply and demand adjustments should be made.” He added, “If we strongly adjust about 80,000 hectares of rice cultivation area, the supply and demand for rice will be balanced, so there should be no overproduction.”
Minister Song Mireyong, who was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and retained her position under the Lee Jaemyung administration, reiterated during the meeting her intention to align with the new government’s agricultural policy direction.
In her opening remarks, Minister Song stated, “I fully agree with the legislative intent and direction of ensuring stable farm income and management,” adding, “However, for major bills, we must ensure that our policies are sustainable and effective on the ground, while also aligning with our government’s philosophy on food security, farm income, and disaster response.”
She went on to emphasize, “Going forward, not only the current contentious bills but all legislation should be consistent with our national policy philosophy, reflect the needs on the ground, and be actively communicated with lawmakers. We will improve policies to increase farm income.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
