Gyeonggi Province Launches First Metropolitan-Level 'Agricultural and Aquatic Products Origin Labeling Monitors'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohun] Gyeonggi Province has held a launch ceremony for the 'Agricultural and Aquatic Products Origin Labeling Monitors,' the first initiative of its kind among metropolitan-level local governments, and has begun full-scale operations.

To ensure transparency in food safety for provincial residents and establish fair distribution transaction order and create public jobs, the province selected 120 agricultural and aquatic products origin labeling monitors for the first time this year and held a launch ceremony and job training at the Gyeonggi Province Eco-Friendly Distribution Center on the 30th.

The origin labeling monitors, who will operate in 25 cities and counties across the province, will conduct promotional and guidance activities regarding origin labeling at agricultural, livestock, and aquatic products sales outlets and restaurants, and perform monitoring and reporting of violations for a six-month period through the end of December. They will receive activity allowances of up to 50,000 won per day.

To this end, the province previously secured 180 million won (30% provincial budget, 70% city and county budget) in budget allocations necessary for monitor operations in the first supplementary budget through close coordination with the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly.

The province plans to continuously promote 'operation of origin labeling monitors' along with 'expanded joint inspections by the province and cities/counties' and 'origin labeling promotional activities' to meet consumers' right to know and establish fair transaction order.

Meanwhile, the job training session that followed the launch ceremony was conducted by inviting specialized instructors from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service and the National Fisheries Products Quality Management Service, covering specialized knowledge about product origins and effective civil complaint handling techniques.

Lee Hae-won, head of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, "The active activities of agricultural and aquatic products origin labeling monitors will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the establishment of the origin labeling system," adding "We will continue to do our best in strengthening origin labeling management to establish a fair distribution order."