National Association of Deans of Agricultural Colleges Urges Careful Review of the Grain Management Act Amendment Proposal

Partial Amendment Bill Proposed by the Democratic Party "May Undermine Its Intent and Purpose"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The National Association of Deans of Agricultural Colleges (President Park Yong-seo) issued a statement on the 1st calling for careful review regarding the partial amendment bill of the Grain Management Act being promoted by the Democratic Party on the 18th.

Chairman Park Yong-seo of the National Association of Deans of Agricultural Colleges [Photo provided by the National Association of Deans of Agricultural Colleges]

The association explained, “The rice market isolation measure to strengthen the competitiveness of the agriculture and livestock industry is a necessary policy, but attention should be paid to the possibility that the current amendment bill may render the purpose and intent of stabilizing rice supply and demand meaningless despite the massive investment of resources.”

In particular, it stated, “Although the initial surplus rice production will decrease and rice prices will rise when the amendment is implemented, in the long term, the scale of oversupply is expected to increase, and rice prices are likely to stagnate at a level lower than the current one.”

It also said, “Considering the rice supply and demand situation and prices, market isolation should be operated flexibly as it is now, and institutional safeguards should be established first to prevent the government from misjudging the timing, purchase price, and quantity of market isolation.”

Furthermore, it emphasized, “The issue of fairness with other agricultural and livestock products such as the horticulture industry and livestock industry, which are major pillars of food security, must be considered, and more careful review is needed regarding the promotion of the amendment bill to the Grain Management Act related to the mandatory introduction of rice market isolation, which may hinder the efficient use of agricultural policy budgets.”

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