Codex Guideline for Organically Grown Food and its Implementation of Organic Crop and Animal Production in Korea

Codex 유기식품규격 내용과 한국 유기경종과 축산의 적응 실천

This paper is aim to report the core aspects of Codex guideline for organically grown food which is finalized by FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission on May 2000 in 28th session of the Codex committee on food labelling. The chapter of animal production had discussed for a long time before it was finalized in Ottawa/canada as well as use of GMO(Genetically modified organism), manure from factory farming, animal welfare, and fodder inputs consisting of at least 85% for ruminants and 80% for non-ruminants. As the guideline for Codex set out the several things which is very difficult for Asian country, Organic farmer in Korea should pay an attention to maintain/increase the fertility and biological activity by cultivation of legumes, green manures or deep-rooting plants in an appropriate multi-annual rotation programme, and incorporation in the soil of organic material from holding producing in accordance with the guidelines. Pest, diseases and weeds should be controlled by choice of appropriate varieties, appropriate rotation, mechanical cultivation, diversified ecosystems, flame weeding, animal weeding and steam sterilization. The use of plant growth hormone, GMO and manure from industrial management system are not allowed, and closed recycling system, rotation, resistant seeds again pest and disease should be practiced in organic farming. But these are not unfortunately practiced in the country. In the conclusion it was strongly suggested to enact the Basic Standard for Korean organic agriculture which contains the core principles of Codex guidelines, and to try the importation of the most advanced theory, skills and technology from leading country in organic farming.