Food and Fibre Minister and Associate International Trade
Minister John Luxton today welcomed the moves from
Venezuelan customs to reduce the tariff on New Zealand's
dairy exports to Venezuela.
The decision follows
Ministerial talks in Caracas between Mr Luxton and his
Venezuelan counterparts last August to address the
overcharging of duty on wholemilk powder estimated at $5
million last year.
"Venezuela had exceeded its WTO bound
tariff rate of 40% for New Zealand's $110 million wholemilk
powder exports for more than a year and had been charging up
to 50% duty. Discussions with officials and a letter from
Ministers had not been able to settle the longstanding
dispute," Mr Luxton said.
At the Caracas talks, Venezuelan
Ministers committed themselves to resolving this issue.
Assurances have been received that Venezuela would abide by
its WTO commitments and that the 40% tariff be adhered
to.
"The Dairy Board has confirmed that shipments are now
being cleared at the correct rate. It remains to be seen
whether back duties will also be recovered but we are
working on that."
With $110 million of exports, the
Venezuelan WMP market is one of the New Zealand dairy
industry's largest, so the reduction is significant. It is
estimated to have cost the New Zealand dairy industry $5
million last year and the overcharging was
continuing.
"The resolution will come as a welcome boost
at a time when dairy farmers are facing tough times. It is
also a tribute to the hard work of New Zealand officials in
improving market access for New Zealand's agriculture
sector," Mr Luxton concluded.
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