KRG taxes imports from Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Abdulsattar Majid stated that the Regional government will impose taxes on imported agricultural products.

In an interview with K24 on Tuesday, Majid said, “In order to encourage local products and build strong markets for local farmers, the KRG will impose taxes on imported goods.”

According to Majid, attempts were made to export agricultural products outside of Iraq. “The KRG shipped potatoes and apples last year and in addition, we will export wheat this year,” he added.

Elsewhere, the KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources released a statement on Tuesday addressing a decision made by the Iraqi government one month ago.

The Federal Government of Iraq banned the export of eggs and chicken from Kurdistan Region to southern governorates in Iraq after claims that there were cases of Bird Flu in Duhok Province.

“We will prevent animal products and fodder crops produced in Kurdistan Region or imported from other countries [Iran and Turkey] to pass through central and southern areas,” the statement added.

KRG Minister of Agriculture confirmed the decision and said that this will be implemented starting Feb. 9.

The Iraqi government’s decision resulted in revenue lossess for more than 30,000 people, including 1,500 poultry farmers. “We think this is a political decision...Kurdistan Region's poultry products are free of any diseases,” Majid expressed.

As a reaction to Baghdad’s decision, the KRG will also reduce water supplies to central and southern Iraq.

An MP in the Kurdistan Region's Parliament, Abbas Ghazali, told K24 that if the Iraqi government does not abide by the Constitution, they will be forced to cut water supplies. “Cutting or reducing water supply is a simple task, it just requires a decision from the Region’s leadership,” he added.

Reporting by Baxtiyar Goran

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin and Karzan Sulaivany