S. Korea to build up plant, livestock breeding industry into export engine

SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to invest money and resources into
plant and livestock breeding to transform it into a viable export industry by
2020, the government said Monday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it aims to push
up outbound shipments to US$200 million in the target year from just $29 million
in 2008, and transform the country into a net exporter of plant seeds and
breeding animals.
The country suffered a trade deficit of $62 million last year in the area, with
imports reaching $91 million.
"By 2020 South Korea may be able to meet its domestic demand for seeds used to
grow vegetables, fruits, animal feeds and breeding livestock that currently are
bought from abroad," a ministry official said.
While the exact size of trade cannot be forecast, the country may post a trade
surplus in the next 11-12 years, he added.
South Korea aims to inject 143 billion won into research and development in the
target year, a huge leap from 52.4 billion won this year. Research will be
directed towards engineering plants and animals that are more resistant to pests,
disease and grow at a faster rate.
Seoul has started to pay greater attention to royalty rights issues for plants
and animals that have been artificially cultivated since it joined the
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) in
2002.
The Switzerland-based UPOV aims to provide and promote an effective system of
protection for plant varieties.
Farmers that used artificially cultivated seeds to produce goods will be required
to pay royalties to original producers, affecting price competitiveness.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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