Agriculture ministry to fund food-factory automation under revised decree

The agriculture ministry will fund food companies' investment in robots, sensors and artificial-intelligence systems under a revised enforcement decree, the ministry said Tuesday.

The new Article 11-2 of the enforcement decree of the Food Industry Promotion Act allows the national government and local governments to support food businesses that introduce automated equipment such as robots and sensors, mechanized equipment such as sorting and packaging machines, and intelligent systems built on artificial intelligence. Support may also cover other equipment or systems the head of a relevant central administrative agency or a local government head deems necessary for strengthening the food industry's competitiveness.

The decree takes effect Oct. 1, the same day the amended Food Industry Promotion Act begins to apply. The parent law was promulgated March 31.

Officials are required to weigh three conditions before granting support: whether the project fits the goal of strengthening the food industry's competitiveness, whether the automation plan is appropriate and feasible, and whether the business can carry the project out smoothly. Companies seeking support must submit a business plan covering the purpose, content, necessity and implementation measures of the equipment or system they intend to introduce.

The revised decree also widens the range of local authorities named in Article 10, adding the head of a special integrated city to the special city mayor already specified there. That provision took effect on the day of promulgation, Sept. 29, rather than waiting for Oct. 1.

The revision also clarifies support procedures and methods, leaving the details to be set by the relevant central administrative agency head or the local government head.