CRF awaits response from EU

10 Jun 2019 2047 | Business & Trade Fairs

The European Court of Justice has yet to make a pronouncement regarding a lawsuit filed by the Cambodia Rice Federation in April against the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs on Cambodian Indica rice.

The information was revealed during a CRF meeting Friday chaired by president Sok Puthivuth.

Speaking to Khmer Times on Sunday, Hun Lak, CRF vice president, confirmed that the association has not yet heard back for the EU regarding the lawsuit.

“We have not received any feedback from them yet. We will keep following up this case because it is an important issue that may have a big impact on our rice sector,” Mr Lak said.

CRF has urged the Ministry of Commerce to bring the case to the World Trade Organisation, Mr Lak said.

The European Union imposed tariffs in January on Cambodian and Burmese rice to curb what it said was a surge in imports from these countries that was detrimental to EU producers, particularly those in Italy and Spain.

During the first year, 175 euros ($199.5) per tonne are being levied, followed by 150 euros ($171) in the second year, and 125 euros ($142.5) in the last.

In April, Cambodia asked fellow Asean member states to issue a joint declaration to the European Union decrying the EU’s decision to impose import duties on Cambodian rice.