MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile tariffs on Argentine milk and cheese are official

Chile made official the announced provisional safeguards against certain Argentina dairy products. An ad valorum 23% tariff has been imposed on the introduction of Argentine liquid and powder milk and Gouda cheese according to the Friday edition of the Official Gazette.

However the official decree does not include other dairy produce such as powder and liquid creams and is not extensive to other produce from other origins which do not have an impact or harm "the sector's national production".

The decree became effective Friday October 13 and will remain until the issue of definitive measures has been decided. The "provisional" period extends for 200 days.

Chilean Customs Office is responsible for the implementing of the decree to ensure the correct application of the safeguard tariff.

Chilean dairy farmers have been complaining for months about Argentine "disloyal trade practices" (and subsidized energy prices) which have resulted in a boom of Argentine imports. After some consideration the Chilean government decided on provisional safeguards trying to completely un-link the dairy issue from the ongoing natural gas dispute with Argentina.

Argentina denies the charges and has warned that if Chile imposes safeguard tariffs it would take the case to the World Trade Organization.