NewsWhore
07-09-2007, 06:20 PM
According to the Osmar Benitez, the executive vice president of the Dominican Agro-business Board (JAD), the Dominican Republic has the possibility to access milk that is cheaper, and thereby avoid international price increases. Benitez explained this can be achieved by administering an import quota from the European Union and, at the same time, permitting that it be broadened to cover a local deficit.
Benitez rejected the idea of applying a 40% tariff on imports because it would imply an important increase in the already increasing price of milk.
The JAD administrator told reporters from the Diario Libre that the Dominican government should notify the European Union that it would manage the 32,000-ton yearly quota, and purchase this milk from those countries that offer the best prices. Currently, the UE is assigning 70% of its milk to New Zealand, and this increases its price. BenItez made it clear that the rules of the World Trade Organization (OMC) permit the DR to take on the administration of its import quota.
And, being an advocate of Dominican agriculture, BenItez assured the reporters that the DR could double and even triple its own milk production with government investments in the sector. Nonetheless, the expert confirmed the fact that the local production is not sufficient to cover demand and therefore it is necessary to open the quota to more than the current 32,000 tons that enter under the 20% tariff, especially since any milk that enters the country above and beyond the quota is subject to a 56% tariff. Because of this, BenItez says that local producer should modify their stand and permit a broadening of the current quota.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
Benitez rejected the idea of applying a 40% tariff on imports because it would imply an important increase in the already increasing price of milk.
The JAD administrator told reporters from the Diario Libre that the Dominican government should notify the European Union that it would manage the 32,000-ton yearly quota, and purchase this milk from those countries that offer the best prices. Currently, the UE is assigning 70% of its milk to New Zealand, and this increases its price. BenItez made it clear that the rules of the World Trade Organization (OMC) permit the DR to take on the administration of its import quota.
And, being an advocate of Dominican agriculture, BenItez assured the reporters that the DR could double and even triple its own milk production with government investments in the sector. Nonetheless, the expert confirmed the fact that the local production is not sufficient to cover demand and therefore it is necessary to open the quota to more than the current 32,000 tons that enter under the 20% tariff, especially since any milk that enters the country above and beyond the quota is subject to a 56% tariff. Because of this, BenItez says that local producer should modify their stand and permit a broadening of the current quota.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)