Gov't to halt fertilizer subsidies to promote eco-friendly farming

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- A joint government-civilian agriculture reform panel
said Tuesday that South Korea will discontinue the provision of subsidies for
chemical fertilizers in a bid to promote eco-friendly farming.
The measures to go into effect next year aim to reduce chemical fertilizer use by
15-20 percent, panel president Oh Se-ik told reporters at Ministry for Food,
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The expert, said farmers will be encouraged to opt for so-called customized
fertilizers that take into account the quality of land and extent of artificial
help needed to grow crops.
"Such fertilizers use the same nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium as regular
fertilizers but can help crop growth with less chemicals," he said.
The president of the state-run Korea Rural Economics Institute (KREI), added that
farmers who use organic fertilizers like manure would be eligible to receive
state subsidies if the crop they raise is certified as being ecologically
friendly.
Seoul had initially stopped providing subsidies for fertilizers in 2005, but
restarted the program in the second half of 2008 to help defray spikes in global
prices.
Under the support program, the government pays for roughly 80 percent of the
price hikes that have occurred.
Critics have said the move has caused farmers to use more chemical fertilizers,
widely cited for causing pollution and disrupting the eco-system of rural
communities.
The government plans to allocate 80 billion won to the endeavor next year, with
the total to be gradually reduced by 2012.
Government policymakers have stressed that South Korean farms need to move
towards "green" growth strategies that can make more high-quality products that
are safe to eat.
The influx of cheap products and social concerns about safety of such products
have increased demand for fruits, grains and vegetables that are raised with
minimal amount of fertilizers.
Oh said that providing subsidies that can improve the environment is permitted
under the World Trade Organization.
Besides slashing support for fertilizers, the panel called for axing of subsidies
for high quality meat produced by cattle and pigs, and those provided to maintain
stable prices for calves.
Officials in the farm ministry, meanwhile, said that to reduce the shock of
subsidies cuts, Seoul plans to offer other assistances programs.
"For the time being, the total size of subsidies provided to farmers will remain
unchanged, with cuts being compensated by new support in other areas," a
government official said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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