Brazil’s government has opted to eliminate import taxes on essential food items to lower prices. Announced by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, the initiative targets products such as coffee, sugar, and meat. Import quotas for palm oil will also rise, and the Municipal Inspection Service will expand its jurisdiction nationally to improve food safety and accessibility.
The government of Brazil has announced its decision to waive import taxes on essential food products aimed at reducing consumer prices. The affected items include coffee, olive oil, sugar, corn, sunflower oil, sardines, cookies, pasta, and meat. This initiative was revealed by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin after a meeting led by President Lula with key ministers from various departments involved in agriculture, finance, and trade.
Vice President Alckmin stated that these measures aim to benefit citizens by maintaining their purchasing power and providing a more affordable basic food basket. He emphasized that this decision is part of broader efforts to incentivize production and trade, as the government sacrifices tax revenue to facilitate price reductions across essential food items.
Import taxes on the mentioned food products currently range from 7.2% for corn to 32% for sardines, reflecting significant variability. Additionally, the government has announced an increase in the import quota for palm oil from 60,000 to 150,000 metric tons, thereby promoting better access to a key cooking ingredient.
Further changes are proposed regarding the national inspection rules by expanding the jurisdiction of the Municipal Inspection Service (SIM) to the national level. Currently, SIM operates on a local basis, focusing on the regulation and inspection of animal products within city boundaries. The new measures will allow locally certified products, such as liquid milk, honey, and eggs, to be distributed and sold on a national scale.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, remarked that these changes will enhance opportunities for Brazilian farmers. The new integration aims to ensure food safety without compromising quality, stating that the effects of SIM will be applicable across the entire country for one year while identifying products without health risks.
In tandem with these tax and inspection reforms, the government is committed to bolstering local production of basic food items. Following this initiative, the National Supply Company (Conab) will engage in creating “regulatory stocks” aimed at subsidizing essential food products, as highlighted by Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, to cater effectively to Brazilian society’s needs.
In summary, Brazil’s government is taking significant steps to reduce import taxes on essential food items, thereby enhancing affordability for citizens and stimulating the agriculture and commerce sectors. With the planned expansion of inspection practices and domestic production support, these initiatives aim to strengthen the food supply chain while ensuring safety and quality for consumers across the nation.
Original Source: www.just-food.com
