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Iran ministry accused of illegal import of fodder worth $741 M

Business Materials 1 December 2015 15:58 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1

By Fatih Karimov- Trend:

Iranian MP, Ahmad Tavakkoli has accused agriculture ministry of importing $741 million worth of fodder illegally, Fars news agency reported Dec. 1.

The fodder was imported by two companies affiliated with agriculture ministry, Tavakkoli said, adding the illegal move imposed loses to the government as well as Iranian farmers.

He did not unveil details about the time period which the mentioned fodder consignment has been imported to the country.

Tavakkoli said that he has taken the issue to the National Iranian Competition Council (NICC), adding the council should make decision on the issue.

"We have submitted a complaint to the Supreme Audit Court and the NICC to investigate the issue," he added.

The National Development Fund (NDF) allocated $2 billion to the government on the issue, the MP said.

"The government imported $741 million worth of fodder, but after protests decided to stop that and the remaining assets were sold at Iran's currency market by the central bank."

Iran's top five imported goods during the first seven months of current year (March 21-Oct. 21) were agricultural products, such as livestock corn, wheat, beans, rice, and soybean meal, valued at $2.7 billion.

Agricultural imports also amounted to $12 billion during last fiscal year (ended March 21), revealing a nine percent fall compared to its preceding year.

According to the Iranian Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati, by producing over 90 million tons of agricultural products per year, Iran is among top ten countries in the world.

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