July 3 2003, 11:26 Interfax-Ukraine

Deputies propose temporarily to set zero import duty for grains

On Wednesday, July 2 Verkovna Rada considered in the first reading two bills, proposing amendments into the law of state regulation of agricultural products imports to Ukraine. The bills propose to temporarily establish a zero import duty for grains.

Both bills suggest introducing till September 1, 2004 zero import duty for grains and molasses, destined only for industrial processing at state-owned alcohol-producing plants, Interfax-Ukraine news agency informed.

The current rates of import duty for milling wheat in Ukraine are 80 and 40 euros per tonne (preferential rate). The duties for milling rye are 40 and 20 euros per tonne (preferential rate). These duties do not apply to imports of milling grains to Ukraine from Russia and Kazakhstan.