Korean beef farmers urge halt to Brazilian import plans

The National Hanwoo Association has voiced strong opposition to the South Korean government's push to import Brazilian beef and its engagement in trade talks with Mercosur. The association argues that these moves threaten the livelihoods of domestic cattle farmers and the broader Korean beef industry.

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The government is pushing for market opening first without analyzing the damage to the Hanwoo industry and preparing compensatory measures.

In a statement released on July 30, the association expressed concern over the government's plan to conduct on-site sanitary and phytosanitary inspections in Brazil in August for beef imports. They criticized the government for prioritizing market opening without adequately analyzing the potential damage to the Hanwoo industry or developing compensatory measures.

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If Brazilian beef imports are allowed, price competition will intensify, domestic Hanwoo consumption will shrink, and farmers' management difficulties will worsen.

The association highlighted that Mercosur is a major global beef production and export bloc. Allowing Brazilian beef imports, they contend, will intensify price competition, reduce domestic consumption, and exacerbate financial difficulties for Korean farmers. Furthermore, they fear that opening the market to Brazil could lead to subsequent demands from other Mercosur member states.

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We strongly condemn the biased trade policy of the relevant ministries that unilaterally pushes for market opening, going against the president's agricultural policy philosophy.

With tariffs on U.S. beef already eliminated and phased reductions planned for Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand beef, the addition of Brazilian beef would place an even greater burden on the Korean beef sector. The National Hanwoo Association is demanding that the government halt unilateral market opening, conduct thorough consultations with the agricultural sector, and implement effective measures to compensate for damages and ensure the stability of farm incomes and production bases.

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The Hanwoo industry, which is the foundation of our rural economy and a unique agricultural asset of Korea, will be pushed into an irreversible crisis if additional large trade agreements are pursued without proper compensatory measures.