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Abstract
This study investigates the multiplicity of sciences and the assemblage of technocracy with the precautionary principle (PP) in the Korean risk governance of mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy [BSE]). It conducts a policy typological analysis and a sociocultural analysis of the PP. Korean BSE policies are built on the technocratic PP. This principle emphasizes the scientific evidence of risk, although taking precautionary policy actions against BSE. This principle led to the absence of a total BSE inspection, a specified risk material policy for Korean cattle, a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point policy for beef processing and circulation, and an animal feed ban on nonruminants. Moreover, the BSE debate is not one about a unified science vs. a unified PP, but rather it concerns complex struggles between PPs in alliance with different sciences.
Acknowledgements
This article is based on the 2010 report of the Korea Institute of Public Administration entitled ‘Policy Assessment of the Precautionary Principle and Its Institutionalization’. Its publication is permitted according to the principle of research documents management. The earlier versions of this article were presented in 2010 at the Winter Conference of the Korea Association of the Science and Technology Studies (December 4) and the Korean Association for Public Administration (December 11), Seoul. I am very grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful comments as well as Hyeon-Suk Lyu and Bernard Rowan for their English editing and Woo-Seung Shin, In-Ja Shin, and Da-Hye Lee for their assistance.
Notes
1. With regard to PP, Whiteside (Citation2006) addresses research programs for future risk, long-term environmental/health monitoring (early warning and feedback, traceability, and labeling), interdisciplinary risk research, independence of regulatory agencies, alternatives assessment, redundant system, public participation, and banning. Myers (Citation2000) addresses the development of alternative technologies, reversed burden of proof, and transparency and democracy in risk decision-making. Raffensperger and Tickner (Citation1999) address chemical sunset, alternative assessment, public participation (i.e. public scoping), environmental bond, corporate disclosure, and clean production (life cycle assessment).
2. Participatory risk assessment and decision-making allows stakeholders to participate in risk assessment and decision-making. For instance, a consensus conference, also known as constructive/participatory technology assessment, allows citizens to assess the environmental, social, and ethical impacts of technology. It was implemented by the Danish Board of Technology. Another case is the popular epidemiology that allows potential victims to collaborate with experts in conducting epidemiological tests. It was implemented in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA (Scolve and Scammell Citation1999, 254).
3. I conducted face to face interviews with five MIFAFF officials, two NVRQS officials, one representative of HA, two critics (Hee-Jong Woo from Seoul National University and Jeong-Bok Song, former secretary to KDLP lawmaker Ki-Kab Kang), and one BSE policy-maker from European Commission. The positions and discourses of other critics such as VSPH and MLDS were collected by content analysis. One phone interview was conducted with a person in the Korea Livestock Products HACCP Service. I asked about the (1) current status of BSE policies connected to five policy types of PP, (2) the recognition and interpretation of interviewees on specific BSE policies and PP, (3) the social, political, economic context of BSE policies, and (4) the role of relevant agencies where interviewees belonged. Given informed consent, the content of the interviews were recorded and transcribed.
4. According to a MIFAFF document (written by Secretary Dae-Jin Kang (Citation2010) on 1 September 2010), the rise of downers in 2010 is not related to food safety but from the result of hot temperatures. If farmers report downers, relevant agencies inspect them, whether or not their diseases have resulted from injury, complicated birth, or chuzan disease. Given uncertainty with BSE, the remaining downers are subject to BSE inspection. From 9 November 2009 to late June 2010, BSE inspections of 58 downers were negative.
5. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 10 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
6. NVRQS official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 15 September. NVRQS, Anyang.
7. Jeong-Bok Song. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 1 October. Hope Institute, Seoul.
8. Hee-Jong Woo. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 29 September. Seoul National University, Seoul.
9. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 10 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
10. Young-won Kim. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 5 October. HA, Seoul.
11. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 15 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
12. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 10 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
13. Since March 2009, 17 of 27 member countries have mitigated the range of total BSE inspection, thereby targeting cattle aged over 48 months (European Commission (EC) Citation2010, 8).
14. MIFAFF official, 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 10 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
15. Young-won Kim. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 5 October. HA, Seoul.
16. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 10 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
17. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 17 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
18. Jeong-Bok Song. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 1 October. Hope Institute, Seoul.
19. MIFAFF official. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 17 September. MIFAFF, Gwacheon.
20. Jeong-Bok Song. 2010. Interview by Eun-sung Kim. Tape recording. 1 October. Hope Institute, Seoul.