The South Korean government is set to institutionalize the regulation of Hanwoo supply, support for calf production stability, and financial assistance for farm management. A comprehensive plan for the development of the Hanwoo industry will be established every five years, with annual implementation plans made public.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on August 20 that it will enact the enforcement decree and regulations for the 'Act on the Transition and Support of the Hanwoo Industry for Carbon Neutrality,' effective from August 21.
The Hanwoo Industry Act aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Hanwoo industry while supporting farm management stability in response to carbon neutrality and changes in livestock farming environments. The enforcement decree and regulations outline the support criteria and procedures mandated by the law.
The ministry will develop a comprehensive plan every five years based on surveys and statistics related to the Hanwoo industry. The annual implementation plans will be made available on the ministry's website.
A Hanwoo Industry Development Council will be formed to incorporate feedback from producers and experts during the policy implementation process. The council will deliberate on supply regulation, payment of slaughter and shipment incentives, support for calf production stability, management improvement funds, education, and the establishment of export foundations.
The ministry plans to establish the council immediately in line with the law's implementation. It will also set the criteria for the calf production stability support program, which had not been established previously, through the council to stabilize Hanwoo prices and production bases.
Criteria for corporate participation in Hanwoo production have also been clarified. Small businesses can participate without restrictions, while mid-sized companies and larger must comply with livestock-related laws and establish low-carbon farming plans.
Low-carbon farming requirements include supplying feed with methane reduction agents, maintaining a shipment ratio of over 30% for Hanwoo under 28 months, and installing mechanical mixing and forced aeration facilities for composting. Companies must secure land for growing forage crops suitable for their scale and develop forage production plans.
Participating companies are required to analyze the impact on the local economy and existing Hanwoo farms and develop cooperation plans to implement the government's Hanwoo supply policy. They must also gather opinions from local agricultural cooperatives, agricultural corporations, and producer organizations.
Lee Jae-sik, the livestock policy director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "We will continuously communicate with farmers and reflect their voices in policies to strengthen the competitiveness of the Hanwoo industry and stabilize farm management."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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