Allan to find balance in rice quota issue

PLANS to introduce a quota on imported rice are being looked into, says Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allan.
He said the work was on how to “find a balance” with rice import companies and the proposed domestic rice producer Naime Agro Ltd.
Allan said the Government was not stopping the project.
“There are two issues that have to be sorted out: The quota which is the 80 per cent that Naime is asking for, and the tax concession that they are also asking for, a 10-year tax holiday,” he said.
“The issues have been raised with the attorney-general and we are still waiting for them to give clearance.
“Cabinet has directed me to get copies of the earlier advice that has been given, so I have asked Secretary Dr Vele Ila’ava to get that and we will take it back to Cabinet.
“No-one else will import 80 per cent: It is only them and that’s the issue.
“Right now, Trukai has about 75 per cent of the rice market in the country and the other 25 per cent is shared by the smaller players like Skel Rice, which is Goodman Fielders’.