“Korean LMO Quarantine Procedures Too Strict”… US Industry Points Out Non-Tariff Barriers

The Bioindustry Organization (BIO) and the United States Soybean Council (USSEC) have voiced concerns to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) about South Korea's regulations on Live Modified Organisms (LMOs), which are genetically modified organisms with the ability to reproduce. These organizations argue that Korea's review process, which involves seven ministries and is not transparent, is a non-tariff barrier that has gone unresolved for over a decade. The USTR is reviewing these concerns as as part of a potential report on non-tariff barriers that could lead to reciprocal tariffs. However, a official from South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated that there has been no official request or mention from the U.S. about this issue.

In the wake of the Trump-led tariff war, ‘LMOs that can reproduce’ are gaining attention. On the 11th (local time), the Bioindustry Organization (BIO) submitted a statement to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) stating, “The review stipulated in Korea’s LMO law is dispersed across multiple agencies, which lacks transparency and predictability,” and “Korea’s special regulations are non-tariff barriers that have not been resolved for over 10 years.” It was confirmed that the United States Soybean Council (USSEC) also pointed out that “Korea is handling the export approval process for crops developed using biotechnology, such as gene-edited agricultural products, too strictly.” In order for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including LMOs, to be imported and distributed domestically, they must undergo a risk assessment review and an import/distribution/use approval process in accordance with relevant laws. Each procedure is handled by seven ...