South Korea lowers bar for low-carbon livestock certification, cutting pig shipment threshold

South Korea is lowering the eligibility threshold for its low-carbon livestock certification program in a bid to reduce carbon emissions from the livestock sector. The minimum shipment requirement for pig farms will be cut from 1,800 to 1,500 head, while hanwoo cattle farms will be able to choose between their most recent one-year performance record or a two-year average when assessed for eligibility.

The Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation announced Thursday that it will apply the revised standards and accept applications from farms seeking second-half 2026 low-carbon livestock certification from Saturday through Sept. 20.

The low-carbon livestock certification program is run jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation. It certifies farms that have cut carbon emissions by at least 10 percent by applying greenhouse gas reduction technologies during livestock rearing. Livestock products separately processed from certified farms are sold bearing a low-carbon certification mark.

Revised implementation guidelines for the low-carbon livestock certification program, updated to reflect feedback from the field, take effect with this second-half recruitment round.

Hanwoo farms previously had to be assessed solely on one year of performance data but will now be able to choose between their most recent one-year record and a two-year average. The shipment threshold for pig farms drops from 1,800 to 1,500 head. Point allocations for key non-quantitative evaluation items, including the low-carbon agriculture program, have also been adjusted.

Hanwoo, dairy cattle and pig farms are eligible to apply in the second half. Applicants will undergo a greenhouse gas emissions calculation and an on-site inspection before receiving final certification decisions in November. The assessment is free of charge, and the institute will provide consulting support to help farms prepare their greenhouse gas emissions reports.

Benefits for certified farms have also been expanded. Starting this year, certified farms that participate in the low-carbon agriculture program will receive an additional 20 percent in direct payments. There are currently 580 farms with valid low-carbon livestock certification. The 342 farms under review in the first half of this year are expected to complete their final certification process by the end of September after on-site inspections.

Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation President Park Su-jin said the revised certification standards "actively reflect feedback from the field and the realistic conditions facing farms," adding that the institute would "do its utmost to help more livestock farms participate in low-carbon livestock certification and contribute to realizing the green transformation."