Statement Issued...
"Cannot Accept Threats to Public Health and Food Security"
On the 22nd, the Sinan County Council officially issued a statement completely rejecting demands for expanded imports and the easing of non-tariff barriers on beef, rice, genetically modified organisms (LMO), and fruits in the Korea-US trade negotiations.
The Sinan County Council in South Jeolla Province (Chairperson Lee Sangjoo) has officially stated its opposition to the anticipated discussions on expanding agricultural and livestock imports in the Korea-US trade negotiations.
On the 22nd, the Sinan County Council issued a statement completely rejecting demands for expanded imports and the easing of non-tariff barriers on beef, rice, genetically modified organisms (LMO), and fruits.
The council delivered a strong message that it can never accept any form of trade negotiation concessions that threaten public health, food security, or the agricultural foundation.
This statement represents the concerns of local farmers regarding the following issues: the allowance of beef imports from cattle over 30 months old, the expansion of the rice tariff-rate quota (TRQ), the easing of import regulations on LMOs, and the relaxation of quarantine measures on fruits.
The council pointed out that such negotiation items would not only cause serious harm to domestic farms but could also threaten the safety of the nation’s food supply. The council also conveyed three major demands to the government: a complete rejection of demands to ease non-tariff barriers on agricultural and livestock products; the exclusion of any trade concessions that undermine public health and food security; and the establishment of negotiation strategies that prioritize the public value of agriculture and the livelihood rights of farmers.
Chairperson Lee Sangjoo stated, "The Sinan County Council will actively engage in dialogue and consultation to protect local agriculture and public health," and emphasized, "The government must make balanced decisions that listen to the voices of the public and the agricultural sector, rather than focusing on short-term results."
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