This paper focuses on the rapid changes in both international and domestic forestry. Internationally, on changes within the WTO trade environment and locally, on coping with the limitations of forest investments in such conditions as increasing demand...
This paper focuses on the rapid changes in both international and domestic forestry. Internationally, on changes within the WTO trade environment and locally, on coping with the limitations of forest investments in such conditions as increasing demand for public benefits by implementing "decoupling" policy as a realistic alternative to maximize forest public services. As a result, the paper presents the oughtness of the decoupling policy implementation and constructively corresponds to future changes in forestry. The paper also focuses on the embodiment of forestry's identity and reality through policy modifications.
In order to satisfy the objectives of this thesis, comprehensive researches and comparative studies were conducted on the term "direct payment." After which, the paper concludes the term "decoupling" be used for direct payments in forestry which is defined as "the policy that after decoupling or separating forest goods(products traded in market) and forest services(benefits that cannot be traded in market such as environmental, social, cultural benefits), gives direct compensation for the latter." Comparative analysis on decoupling of forestry sector and similar direct payment policy of agricultural sector has been made, and unique features of decoupling policy have been identified. To analyze the feasibility of decoupling policy implementation, analysis and researches have been conducted on history of forest policy in Korea, mountain villages that are considered as less favored area(LFA), reduction and restriction of subsidy by WTO, and forestry subsidy policy in Korea. In addition, comparative studies have been carried out between the direct payment already in practice in Korean agricultural sector and the direct payment in USA, EU, and other countries. The paper then identifies the current issues related to direct payment and verifies the researches made on implementation of decoupling policy by conducting survey on forest experts applying the Delphi Method. Conclusions based on the analysis of these reference researches and Delphi survey results are summarized as the following.
First, forest not only has a preventive function against environment destructing aspects of agricultural activities (environment friendly agricultural land use) but also has more active air purification, water enhancement, biodiversity conservation, and other diverse functions. Therefore, it is an obvious trend to apply the environment friendly forestry decoupling policy to compensate for the non-marketable public benefits. Consequently, it is a must to implement the decoupling policy in forestry.
Secondly, the subsidy for chestnut, oak mushroom, and other short term income forest products that hold some portion in the international market share could be decreased or restricted according to WTO regulations if their production and price are affected. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the objectives of such subsidies according to the WTO's non-actionable subsidies.
Thirdly, after analyzing the direct payments in domestic and international agricultural sectors and delphi survey on experts, the results show that the direct payments are now converting into compensation for environment friendly activities and for less favored area under the policy objective to promote balanced benefits on unification and equality aspects of the public and the public land. For instance, Japan's direct payment policy for high-altitude mountain area and Baden-Wuettemberg, Germany's benefit policy on forest land according to elevation could be considered. As to summarize these domestic and international trends and expert opinions, it is necessary to introduce Environment Friendly Forestry Decoupling and Less Favored Area Decoupling in forestry sector. However, this policy should be implemented neutral to product yield and as a direct income to compensate for public benefits. Public support and social agreement together with legal provisions should be prerequisites to implementation. Also, to prevent deviations, experimental and phase-in implementations should be considered. Consequently, continuous elaborate reviews and intensive researches on direct payment in domestic agricultural sector and overseas forestry sector are required in order to implement decoupling in local forestry.
Fourth, in case of implementation, benefit principle which states that financial sources be allotted according to the subject of benefit was presented and majority suggested that financial source should be based on the share of expenses on national tax, water usage, environment enhancement, etc.
Fifth, after the implementation of the decoupling policy, the central government should not only secure various relevant information and their analysis but also support policy establishment, staff, budget, and other necessary details. The local governments should focus on establishment and implementation of detailed program, funds, policy development appropriate for local features, local legal provisions, status investigation, detailed policy enforcement, enforcement management, and post management. As for the beneficiaries of the decoupling policy, they should conform with the obligations and responsibilities of the policy.
Lastly, there are some prerequisite conditions to be considered in implementation of decoupling policy. Decoupling should be implemented harmoniously within the government's comprehensive program. For instance in case of the decoupling for the less favored area, agriculture and agriculturist, forestry and forester could be overlapped when Korea's topography, social aspects, and residential practices are considered. Also for environment friendly decoupling, it should be operated as a part of the government's comprehensive environmental programs. Consequently, these problems have to be approach generally in a distinctive method. The decoupling policy should be implemented within the scope of WTO agreement coupled with legal provisions and social agreement and support. Also, sustainable monitoring system is required to carry out verification and result analysis of the implementation process. Aside from these, financial capacity, strong implementation intentions, etc. are necessary conditions to successful decoupling policy.