Support for the initiative to declare National Day of the Technical Inspector of Environmental Health

At the request of President Nayib Bukele, the deputies of the Legislative Assembly approved, with 59 votes, the Special Law to Promote Competitiveness and Facilitate Access to Products in the Expanded Basic Basket, a tool that eliminates Import Tariffs (DAI) on 120 products, to ensure their supply to the Salvadoran population.

The tariff exemption will be valid for 10 years and will also apply to agricultural inputs and raw materials that guarantee agricultural production and food security.

Some products that will be exempt from the DAI are beef, pork, chicken, turkey, milk, table eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, beans, oranges, corn, rice and sugar. Also, animal feed, fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.

The legislation also establishes that the Consumer Protection Agency must monitor and supervise the market to ensure that tariff reductions are reflected in prices to the final consumer.

Likewise, the Ministries of Economy, Finance and Agriculture and Livestock are empowered, each within their respective competencies and responsibilities, to issue agreements, instructions, circulars, resolutions and any other administrative action, aimed at ensuring a correct and effective application of the law.

Deputy Suecy Callejas said that the legislation will alleviate the economy of Salvadorans, especially during this rainy season when grain and vegetable crops have been affected. She recalled that, in the last legislature, a Special Transitional Law to Combat Inflation in the Prices of Basic Products was approved, which was extended until 2026.

“With this proposal, the plan will be extended for 10 more years and all the products in the expanded basic basket, which total 120, will be added. In addition to the exemption from the DAI, the payment of safeguard fees will be excluded,” he said.

Callejas explained that the decree will allow the tariff exemption to be applied even to those countries with which El Salvador does not have free trade agreements.

For her part, Representative Norma Lobo stressed the importance of Salvadorans having food on their tables and ensuring their sustainability.

“This plan will be in effect for 10 years, because in this way all entrepreneurs and producers themselves will be able to make their business plans based on 10 years with the confidence that there is legal stability,” said Lobo.

The parliamentarian said that the law supports the Executive’s measure related to the creation of agricultural markets and the creation of supply centers to change the marketing modality of basic basket products.

“We will have several supply centers so that the population will benefit the most and guarantee producers that they will be able to produce and market their products at prices that will not hit Salvadorans’ pockets,” added the parliamentarian.

Meanwhile, legislator Sandra Interiano pointed out that the approval of the legislation is an example of the joint work between the Government and the Legislative Assembly, and that this is a first push for the economic plan announced by President Nayib Bukele.

“No government in the national history of this country has shown signs of being close to the people, of listening to them and of resolving their most pressing needs, such as the issue of sustainable food. Let us remember that previous administrations dismantled national agricultural production based on private interests. Today, we are beginning to respond to 200 years of neglect and abandonment,” Interiano said.

Measure announced by the President of the Republic

On July 16, through his X account, President Nayib Bukele announced that the proposal, which seeks to favor the economy of Salvadorans, would be sent to the Legislative Assembly.

“Today, I will submit a proposal to suspend all tariffs on all products in the expanded basic food basket, as well as 70 other food products, for a period of 10 years,” he wrote.

In addition, on the morning of Wednesday, July 17, the president added that tariffs on agricultural products will also be eliminated.

“We have also decided to eliminate tariffs for 10 years on fertilizers, manures, animal feed (including poultry and fish) and other inputs used by national farmers and producers. This way, they will also be more competitive and not just importers,” said Bukele.

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