The Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Water Supply and Rural Development approved on Wednesday 8, the Bill 3564/12, of congressman Celso Maldaner (PMDB-SC), which prohibits the purchase of apples imported by the public sector directly and indirectly. The proposal includes a device to the Bidding Law. The speaker in the commission, congressman Sergio Moraes (PTB-RS), defended the approval of the proposal arguing that the growth of apple imports harms the Brazilian industry.
According to the Brazilian Association of Apple Growers (ABPM), Argentina is the largest supplier of fruit in Brazil, representing 44% of apple imports in 2011, reaching 73.7 tons and a cost of USD 63.5 million.
Source: Agencia Câmara