Gov't to overhaul farm subsidies by end of 2010: official

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- The government will overhaul subsidies given to
farmers by the end of 2010 in an effort to enhance productivity and
competitiveness, a senior policymaker said Thursday.

Food and Agriculture Minister Chang Tae-pyong told reporters that Seoul plans to
fundamentally revamp its subsidy policy to facilitate positive change.
"In the past, the main focus was on protecting agriculture, but in the future,
assistance will be linked to enhanced productivity and competitiveness," he said.
The remarks came after President Lee Myung-bak cited New Zealand, saying it was
able to breathe new life into its farming sector by slashing or abolishing state
subsidies.
However, Chang said that while the blueprint aims to change the way subsidies are
given, the total amount will probably not be affected in the near future.
"Since there is a pressing need to improve rural agrarian infrastructure, there
may actually be an increase in state funds injected into the country's farm
sector," he said.
He added that Seoul will strive to merge farm sector reform with sustainable
green energy growth and research and development to meet global efforts to cut
back on greenhouse gases.
A special task force under a vice minister will be set up to form a work plan.
On the extra budget being planned to help stabilize the local economy, which may
slide 2 percent this year on an annual basis, the minister said funds may be
allocated to help city dwellers who have been laid off to relocate to rural
communities to help food manufacturers that are feeling the pinch of the economic
slowdown.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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