For the wheat flour from Argentina the import tariff was reduced from 12% to 6%, and was eliminated for imports from outside Mercosur. In refined soybean and sunflower oils, the tariff rate of 21% was eliminated for purchases made in non-zone countries, and fell from 16 to 8% for products of Argentine origin.
At the same time, it was decided to regulate the existing regulations to allow the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) to carry out random controls on imports of food and beverages based on their risk analysis. This with the aim of “rationalizing processes” and lowering costs, the authorities specified on the day of the announcement. The rate charged by LATU on food imports went from 1.5% plus VAT to 0.5% plus VAT.
This Thursday, during a press conference, the PIT-CNT and the Federation of Milling and Related Workers and Employees (Foeyma) rejected the measures and demanded that they be annulled due to the prejudices that, it is understood, they will generate in the national industry.
“We are not against the objective of reducing famine, what we criticize is the tool that is used”, affirmed the president of the PIT-CNT, Marcelo Abdala.
“It is very important to take care of the national industry and not to create mechanisms to protect imports, but rather to promote sources of quality work while taking other measures to lower the level of famine,” said the leader.
“Import protection measures are being taken to the detriment of what little remains of the national industry in the country,” Abdala insisted.
This Friday there will be a 24-hour strike in the sector and a mobilization from the Legislative Palace to the Executive Tower. The trade union central requested meetings on the subject from the Ministries of Industry and Livestock.
