Japan's finance ministry will cut tariffs on whey imports from April of 2019 to promote the use of liquid baby formula, according to inside sources. The move is expected to be announced at a meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso in Tokyo next week. The decision followed the removal of a ban in August by the health ministry on Japanese production and sale of liquid baby formula.
Japan's finance ministry will cut tariffs on whey imports from April of 2019 to promote the use of liquid baby formula, according to inside sources. Currently, whey used for liquid infant formula faces levies of 10% for up to 25,000 tons annually and excess amounts are subject to a tariff of 29.8%, plus extra charges of between JPY99 ($0.88) and JPY1,023 per kg. The decision followed the removal of a ban in August by the health ministry on Japanese production and sale of liquid baby formula.