Following the July 31 trade discussions between Korea and the United States, both countries agreed to improve quarantine procedures for certain U.S. fruits and vegetables, including apples and potatoes. The proposal includes creating a "U.S. desk" within the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency to share quarantine-related data and facilitate communication.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the eight-step import risk analysis (IRA) process will remain in place, with no steps being removed. The process begins with an assessment of potential pest and disease risks and proceeds through consultation to draft a risk management plan. Step 6, involving the preparation of draft quarantine requirements, typically indicates that import approval is near.
Currently, IRA procedures are in progress for 15 U.S. agricultural products. Ten of these, including apples and potatoes, are listed in the U.S. Trade Representative's National Trade Estimate Report. Potatoes from 11 U.S. states, such as California and Arizona, are at Step 6 and expected to be approved first. U.S. apples, considered sensitive by Korean growers, remain at Step 2, despite an import request made in 1993.
The structure and staffing of the proposed U.S. desk have not been finalized. Presently, the agency employs over 20 staff in agricultural quarantine, with 11 in risk management and 15 in export support, the latter also covering Canada and Mexico.
The time required for quarantine approval varies. Among 76 products previously approved, the process averaged 8.1 years, with cherries from China taking 3.7 years. Korean agricultural exports also face lengthy approval times abroad, such as citrus to New Zealand, which took 23 years. Faster communication could lead to quicker decisions, but it may also result in exporters reprioritizing if costs become too high, as occurred when Japan halted apple export efforts to Korea.
The Agriculture Ministry noted that U.S. potato imports from 22 states have had minimal impact on domestic producers due to competitive local prices and quality. Imported fumigated cherries have also struggled to compete with domestic varieties. The potential effect of U.S. apple imports will depend on specific import conditions and handling.
"In this round of Korea-U.S. trade talks, we decided to weather the storm for now, taking into account the sensitivity of domestic agriculture," said Minister Song Mi-ryung. "In the long term, we must increase productivity and diversify the variety of Korean apples so that we can remain competitive no matter which country's apples are imported, not just from the United States."
Source: Korea JoongAng Daily