1. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

Contrasting positions of Rice Farmers on the Current Tariff Waiver Scheme

http://www.naeil.com/News/economy/ViewNews.asp?nnum=725271&sid=E&tid=5

Summary: The 10 year grace period for implementing tariffs on rice in Korea ends in 2014, meaning that Korean Agriculture officials and stakeholders must start the discussion on deciding whether or not to extend the right to limit imports. Currently, public opinion on this matter is intensively contrasted, in each survey conducted by different interest groups arriving at different results. Most importantly, however, the great portion of farming households are still not familiar with the policy. Thus experts suggest that it is the foremost important task for the government to provide sufficient information on agricultural policy to the farmers so that they can voice their opinion in favor of the right decision.

2. MARKETING ISSUES

Butcher Shops are Allowed to Make and Sell Processed Pork Products including Hams and Sausages [Korean, OSY]

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=001&aid=0006443653

Summary: In a Korean government meeting on August 23 decided that butcher shops would be allowed to make and sell processed pork products such as hams and sausages from September.  The meeting also decided that butcher shops would be allowed to sell portion cuts of processed meat products.  The existing Microbial contamination standard on portion cut processed meat products would also be eased from the current ‘not detected’ to ‘below the level set by the food safety authority’.

Consumers are Concerned about Radioactive Risk of Japanese Seafood … Gov’t to Strengthen Inspections on Imported Seafood [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130825/57218502/1

Summary: It is reported that consumer traffic to local seafood markets has declined significantly due to elevated concerns for radioactive risk of Japanese seafood sold in the markets.  The Ministry of Marine & Fisheries announced on August 25 that it would expand inspections on imported seafood to products caught in distant seas.

3. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Byung  Du, Min proposes revision bills for Food Safety Management

http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/NewsRead.edy?SCD=JF21&newsid=01161126602908304&DCD=A00602&OutLnkChk=Y

Summary: Byung Du Min, a member of the Democratic Party, suggested that the bill for the Food Safety Management be revised in order to improve food safety and public health. His main proposals include: the Food Sanitation Act, the National Health Promotion Act, the National Nutrition Management Act and the Prevention of secretion of gained profit from Criminal acts. He pointed that any criminal acts related to agricultural products in the market must be strictly monitored and that any warning signs on food be properly attached to the product.

Targeting the U.S. pear market

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=221661&subMenu=articletotal

Summary: Exporting entities in South Korea including Ahn Sung Nong Hyup will promote sales promotion campaign to advertise the excellence of Korean pear in the United States for 4 months. Korean exporters aim to expand the export of pear in the U.S. agricultural market and many remain optimistic as they believe Korean pear would have more competitiveness than that of China’s in terms of sanitation and food safety. Currently, 52.7% of pear export goes to the U.S market.

Agricultural product Import Trend of the first half of the year

http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=221435&subMenu=articletotal