Customs duty reduction instead of support for sunflower producers

The Ministry of Trade has reduced customs duties on the import of "sunflower seeds and crude sunflower oil." The duty on sunflower seeds was lowered from 27 percent to 12 percent, and on crude sunflower oil from 36 percent to 22 percent.

CHP Deputy Chairman Erhan Adem criticized the reduction in duties on sunflower seeds and oil. In a written statement, Adem said, "By not providing support to production and producers, and by paving the way for imports, they want to discipline the producer through imports. We want those who remove customs barriers instead of producing solutions to immediately turn back from this mistake." Adem stated that the reduced customs duty is "preparing the end for the domestic producer."

Adem noted that because there is no planning for agricultural products, Turkey has become dependent on imports for sunflowers over the years.

"DOMESTIC PRODUCERS MUST BE SUPPORTED"

Arguing that Turkey is no longer self-sufficient in many agricultural products, primarily wheat and sunflowers, Adem stated the following:

"This policy, which encourages imports, fills the pockets of intermediaries and traders while reducing the purchasing power of the public. Imports are not the solution; agricultural support and incentives for farmers are the solution. Being dependent on the outside prevents our domestic producers from seeing the future. We must review our policies in a way that supports our domestic industry."

Adem stated that to solve the problem, domestic producers must be supported, and the money paid for imports should be given to domestic producers.