The Federal Court ruled against Rio Negro Valley's main fruit producers in a lawsuit filed by the National Customs Administration (ANA), which demanded a partial return of the reimbursements received by these firms between 2003 and 2007.
Most of the firms will be unable to export again until they return what the government demands. "If they are suspended they cannot export. Their only option is to return the money," assured a spokesperson of the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP).
The court ruling was announced yesterday and was published on AFIP's website. The decision took most of the regional exporters by surprise.
According to sources from the private sector, ANA demands between 3 and 4 million dollars altogether. "In the current situation for the fruit sector, it is impossible to pay such a sum," said one of those affected.
These private sector sources also pointed out that most of the fruit exporters are in this situation, and said that "there is not an official Customs listing specifying which firms are affected and which are not. We will certainly have more information on that tomorrow."
AFIP, however, assured that "many of the region's firms have already returned the money, presenting also complaints for wrongful claims. Such firms will have no problem to export."
Source: rionegro