February 13, 2006

South Korea to change designation of local meats
 

30 more beef and pork brands in South Korea will be designated premium quality by the end of the year, the South Korea government said on Friday. 29 beef and 20 pork brands currently carry the premium label in South Korea.

The move is designed to protect the South Korean agricultural sector from increased competition posed by foreign imports if current negotiations with the World Trade Organisation and the US free trade agreement go through.

Building up premium brands can increase demand and help livestock growers fetch better prices for their products, Park Hae-sang, deputy agriculture minister said.

Local meats will be given the premium designation to signify that they have met the high quality and sanitation controls specified by the South Korean Agriculture Ministry.

Prices of such meats would be at least 10 percent higher than non-premium meats, the minister said.