Import controls to be lifted on 340 products

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 8

Import controls to be lifted on 340 products

PA Wellington Canned foods, roasted coffee, building materials, refrigerators, freezers and dishwashing machines are among items on which import controls will be relaxed after the latest import licence tender. Other products in 340 categories which will come under “licence on demand” in July include biscuits, jams, soups, icecream, fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, some paints, inks, soaps and domestic stoves and heaters.

There will, in effect, be no restriction on the value or quantity of these goods which may be imported. Tlje Minister of Trade

and Industry, Mr Caygill, said the system would allow the Government to monitor imports more effectively before moving to complete exemption. The round increases access for imports to about 15 per cent of domestic production. Releasing the tender results, Mr Caygill said they would also provide a benchmark for deciding which goods would become licensed on demand after policies on industry assistance announced last September. Successful product tenders over the last two years which have averaged 7.5 per cent or less, will move to licence on

demand from July I. “They will be subject to licence on demand for a period of one year, followed by complete exemption. Goods under industry plans will not be affected,” Mr Caygill said. The demand for import licences in the latest round was well down on that for the previous round, he said. Of the 5720 million worth of licence tendered in this round, $325 million was successfully bid for. Mr Caygill said the relaxed controls would apply to many items in use on farms, particularly machinery. Some herbicides would also be covered.