Farmers And Government May Reach Agreement Over Cheese

Farmers and parliament have been at odds over a number of issues for years, but may reach harmony over the subject of imported cheese.

Vísir reports that amongst the changes parliament wants to make to the existing agricultural agreement is to lower or even eliminate tolls on cheese. Sindri Sigurgeirsson, the chairperson of the Farmers’ Association of Iceland, believes there may be room for agreement over this issue.

Establishing a new agricultural agreement between Iceland’s farmers and its government was attempted twice during the previous government, in 2009 and 2012, with no success. Instead, the standing agreement was extended.

Jón Gunnarsson, chairperson of the Business Committee, told reporters that lowering or eliminating tolls on imported cheese will hopefully increase consumer choices, and give importers more freedom when it comes to what and how much to import.

For his part, Sindri still takes exception to the toll-free importing of “regular” cheeses, but believes there is room for agreement when it comes to lowering or getting rid of tolls on specialty cheeses that are difficult or impossible to find in Iceland.

Should the agreement be signed, the changes could go into effect as early as next year.