Two Key Agricultural Livelihood Bills Proposed by Seo Pass the National Assembly Plenary Session
Seo Samsuk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
The government's disaster support system for agriculture and fisheries is expected to be further strengthened. This follows the final passage of amendments to the "Act on Countermeasures against Disasters in Agriculture and Fisheries" and the "Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act," proposed by Seo Samsuk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeongam, Muan, and Sinan in South Jeolla Province), at the National Assembly plenary session on July 23.
Seo has actively pursued legislation to protect farmers and fishers as difficulties in the field have intensified due to the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events caused by recent climate change. Although he had proposed similar bills several times in the past, these efforts were previously thwarted by requests for reconsideration from the previous administration. This time, the bills have finally cleared the last hurdle.
The amendments include measures to reduce the actual damage suffered by farmers and fishers, such as providing full or partial support for input production costs in the event of agricultural or fishery damage caused by natural disasters, and easing the criteria for insurance premium surcharges.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will be required to disclose the prices of disaster insurance products and to establish systematic disaster management plans. These measures are expected to provide a stronger social safety net for farmers and fishers.
Seo stated, "If the production costs of farmers and fishers are guaranteed against damage from agricultural and fishery disasters, it will also help establish food security," adding, "I will continue to prepare follow-up and supplementary legislation to ensure that farmers and fishers are protected from natural disasters."
Seo further added, "I will also accelerate efforts to pass the remaining bills, such as the Grain Management Act and the Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Fishery Products."
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