Bill creates a tax on agrochemicals and non-biological fertilizers in Argentina

Date:01-10-2023

Deputies allied with the Argentine government presented a bill that created a tax on agrochemical products and synthetic fertilizers.

Taxation establishes a staggered and progressive rate according to the product’s classification by the toxicity level, starting with 10% of the product's value.

According to the parliamentarians, the objective was to ″promote agroecology″ and use the money raised through the tax to create a fund to promote organic agriculture.

According to the authors, the initiative also aimed to reduce ″dependence on external inputs, eliminating chemical synthesis inputs, and increase the self-sufficiency of the agroecosystem.″

The bill contemplates the creation of the ″National Fund for Fostering Agroecology″ to promote the transition from conventional production to the organic model.

In addition, the legislative text said that the money raised would guarantee the promotion of the development and availability of science and technology adequate or appropriate for agroecological-based production systems.

In addition to the tax on agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers, this fund would also be financed with a 0.25% tax on exports of soy, corn, wheat, and their derivatives.

According to the bill, the producers of agrochemicals and non-organic fertilizers or those responsible for their introduction in the Argentine market would be paying the tax.

On the other hand, the project encourages the Argentine government to prioritize purchasing agroecological products over others.

The body responsible for charging will be the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)