No changes to soft wheat imports for starch production
Published: Wednesday, Mar 6th 2024, 16:10
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The National Council does not want a return to the long-standing practice of importing common wheat for starch production. On Wednesday, when discussing the Customs Act, it spoke out against an amendment to the law that would have created a legal basis for this.
The Council adopted two individual motions by Martina Munz (SP/SH) and Kathrin Bertschy (GLP/BE) to delete the provision by 96 votes to 85 with nine abstentions - against the wishes of the National Council's Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation (WAK-N).
Currently, common wheat for the production of starch can be imported at a reduced tariff rate of 10 centimes per 100 kilograms if at least 75% flour is made from it and processed into starch. Bread grain imports within the tariff quota, on the other hand, are currently subject to border protection of 23 francs per 100 kilograms.
However, the required proportion has only been 75% since the beginning of 2023; previously it was 55%. With its proposal, the WAK-N wanted to make it possible to reduce the minimum percentage again.
Supporters argued that without the provision, starch production in Switzerland would be at risk. In contrast, the opposing side saw this as a hidden subsidy for large grain mills. It would mean an unacceptable distortion of competition if large quantities of baking flour made from grain imported at a reduced rate of duty were to reach the market.
Opponents also pointed out that the National Council had rejected a motion by former Aargau SVP Councillor of States Hansjörg Knecht with the same request in the winter session.
The background to the increase in the required percentage to 75 percent from the beginning of last year is an appeal decision by the Federal Council from 2015. At the time, a law firm had filed an appeal on behalf of smaller grain mills. They argued that they were competing unfairly.
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