The Dominican government issued a decree to protect the national rice production and stop the importation of tariff-free rice from the United States starting in 2025, as established by the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic, the United States and Central America (DR-Cafta).
Through this decree, the current conditions for importing rice are maintained, which only pay zero rate on the amount established in the tariff quotas of 23,300 metric tons of rice originating in the United States and the rest is imported with a 99% tariff rate.
“Through the decree 693-24 “The Government assures that the rice produced in the Dominican Republic will continue to be the livelihood of thousands of Dominican families, guaranteeing the country’s food security in a turbulent international environment and the uncertainty of future crises in the world,” he stated. Victor BisonoMinister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs.
He explained that after investigation and analysis, the Government is using article 21.2 of the DR-Cafta, which allows the use of the rights to safeguard the country’s food and nutritional security using tools the same as those used by other countries.
He indicated that the issuance of the decree does not affect the commitments assumed within the framework of international trade and has been conducted within the margins of dialogue and cooperation with all parties involved.
Bisonó offered these details during a press conference where the president of the National Federation of Rice Producers (Fenarroz) was present. Marcelo Reyeswho stated that they are satisfied with the measure implemented by the government, which strengthens food security and protects the population.
He explained that there is currently sufficient production and inventory that responds to national consumption and that an effort has been made between the Government, producers and the industry.
Decree 693-24 takes into account Law 589-16which creates the National Council for Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security (Conassan), which was modified by Law 75-24, of December 2, 2024, which creates the National System for Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security ( Sinassan) in the Dominican Republic. It establishes as principles food sovereignty and the protection and incentive of the market and national production, as well as the State’s duty to protect this fundamental right.
Therefore, by issuing the decree, as explained by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, the current conditions of the tariffs that must be paid on imported rice are maintained.
In its article 1 the decree says: “It is intended to apply to rice products (SA 1006.10.00, 1006.20.00, 1006.30.00 and 1006.40.00), the tariff treatment established in List XXIII of the Dominican Republic before the Organization World Trade Organization (WTO), which provides for 20% ad valorem within the quota and 99% ad value us out of this.”
He article 2 says: “A preferential quota of 23,300 metric tons (MT) is established with 0% ad valorem tariff for rice products (HS 1006.10.00, 1006.20.00, 1006.30.00 and 1006.40.00) originating in the United States of America. America, and outside of this quota the Most Favored Nation tariff will be applied (MFN), equivalent to 99% ad valorem.”
While article 3 says: “The MFN tariff treatment of 99% ad valorem will be applied to rice products (HS 1006.10.00, 1006.20.00, 1006.30.00 and 1006.40.00) originating in the Republic of Nicaragua.”
and the article 4 and lastly it says that: “The measures adopted in this Decree will remain in force until the National Council for Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security (Conassan) recommends otherwise, based on the considerations presented in a new report by the Technical Secretariat of Sovereignty and Food Security and Nutrition.”
Continue reading:
Edesur clarifies that it has not given an opinion on panel regulations
