한국 축산업의 당면과제와 대응방안

(Current Issues of Livestock Sector in Korea and Measures to Stabilize the Production)

Korea has simultaneously pursued FTA with plural countries and settled the talks with America followed by EU, but on very unfavorable terms so far as livestock products are concerned. Accordingly, increased imports of livestock products seems inevitable as the duty is removed over 15 years. On the other hand, domestic livestock production has shown sustained growth over last few decades explaining 40.0% of total agricultural outputs in value terms as of 2009. But overall grain self-sufficiency rate has declined as low as 26.7% mainly due to the increased import of feed grain. Furthermore, ocean dumping of animal waste is scheduled to be prohibited in 2012 which seems to render significant impacts to the livestock sector. However, maintaining proper level of domestic livestock production is prerequisite. For this, efforts to cut down production cost is badly needed. In addition, concerns for the recycling of animal waste, production of rice for feed using the paddy field in fallow as well as income supports tailored to the characteristics of livestock sector are required.