Seosamseok Criticizes Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: "Is Worrying About Prices More Important Than Supporting Farmers?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 17th, Seo Sam-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for consistently taking a passive stance on farmer support, while citing the stabilization of agricultural product prices as an urgent issue, behaving as if it were a consumer affairs department.

On the 17th, Seo stated at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, "In the work report materials presented to Minister Kim Hyun-soo of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the phrase 'Although egg consumer prices have risen, household burdens are alleviated through the supply of imported quantities' appears openly," expressing this criticism.

As of the 5th, the consumer price for 30 special eggs was 7,455 won, a 41% increase compared to the average for the same month in previous years (5,184 won). However, Seo pointed out that this price increase is only comparable to the price of branded coffee, and considering the share of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products in household consumer prices and the rise in the consumer price index, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs should not have resorted to importing eggs due to such a price increase.

Based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' COVID-19 support project data, Seo Sam-seok criticized, "The Ministry has consistently taken a passive stance on direct support for farmers facing difficulties due to COVID-19, avian influenza (AI), African swine fever (ASF), and natural disasters affecting livestock epidemics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.