August 20 2002, 18:04

Moldovan government to impose duties on meat and milk

On August 13 Moldovan Cabinet of Ministers submitted to Parliament amendments to 2002 state budget. The amendments stipulate introduction of customs duties and value added tax on imported beef, mutton, pork (fresh and frozen), fats and lard, milk and sour cream, potato starch. Cabinet believes that cancellation of earlier introduced preferences on animal products imports will put Moldovan animal breeders in equal conditions with importers and will stimulate local food processing industry. The draft document is yet to be approved by Parliament.

In the first half-year 2002 Moldova imported 9,100 tonnes of meat on $5.1 million and exported just 1,700 tonnes of meat on $2.6 million.