Venezuela Expands Range of Food Items Considered of “Essential Necessity”

[naaman fletcher]

Mérida, March 11th 2011 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – On Thursday, the Venezuelan government officially classified a range of vegetables, meats and milk products as “goods of essential necessity” or “goods of mass consumption,” exonerating them from import tariffs. According to Venezuelan government newspaper Correo del Orinoco, the Venezuelan Ministry of Land and Agriculture (MPPAT) and Ministry for Food and Nutrition (MINPPAL) prepared the resolution so as to ensure the Venezuelan people’s nutritional needs are secured.

The newly classified goods cited in the government’s resolution include: bovine meat and its sub-products, milk and its derivatives; onions, leeks, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes. In addition, powdered milk formulas for infants and other protein-derived nutritional supplements are included.

The agricultural inputs required to produce these “essential” food items – such as seeds and agrochemical inputs - also fall within the government’s resolution.

Based on articles 91 and 92 of Venezuela’s Organic Law on Customs, the newly classified “goods of essential necessity” are now exempted from import tariffs and other fees that often affect the quantities and prices of the imports.

http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6060

Isn't this EXACTLY what everyone here says happened to haiti? Government outsources basic food production and nutritional needs to foreign corporations? Heck of job, Hugo.