|
Main policy areas
|
Remarks
|
|
Tariff escalation
|
- Tariffs on processed tea are generally
low for Japan, the US and the EU. The US, for instance, imposes a duty
tax of 6.4 percent on flavoured green tea, while the EU charges a 3.4
percent duty. For other importing countries such as Turkey and India,
a duty of 145 percent and 70 percent, respectively, is charged on Black
fermented and partly fermented tea in immediate packages not exceeding
3kg. (retail packs).
|
|
Tariff quota administration
|
|
|
Tariffs
|
- The reduction of dutiable tea products
was slightly below the overall average reduction of 37 percent. Developed
countries reduced agricultural tariffs by an average of 35 percent;
- Developed countries have significant
lower tariff levels, while most developing countries seem to impose
higher taxes.
|
|
Amber box
|
|
|
Export subsidies
|
|
|
Export credits
|
|
|
State Trading enterprises
|
- Still dominate producing/exporting
countries.
|
|
Export restrictions and prohibitions
|
|
|
Food security
|
- Food security for tea is very effective
due to greater/wider distribution of income and other benefits due to
intensive farming practices.
|
|
Food safety
|
- Levels of Maximum Residue Limits in
tea need to be harmonised;
- The IGG on tea formed a working group
to look into this issue.
|
|
Rural development
|
- Employment and income from tea provides
important multipliers for rural development and for social amenities
such as schools and hospitals, as well as electric and hydraulic infrastructures,
and several channels of communication such as roads.
|
|
Geographical indications
|
- Specialized teas such as Darjeeling
and Assam Tea, do fetch premiums.
|
