The National Agency of Land Transport (ANTT) said on Wednesday (06) that it will hold a public consultation to discuss with society the values established by the Minimum Carrier Transport Price Policy, according to the “Agência Brasil” . Last week, the agency published in the Federal Official Gazette the table with the minimum prices of freight collected by road transport companies and freelancers.
ANTT did not confirm the intention to revise the values in the table, but informed that the process of consulting the company will occur concurrently with the disclosure of adjustments in the table, “with more detailed data that clarify possible doubts” . The company’s contributions may result in subsequent changes.
According to the Organization of Cooperatives of Paraná (Ocepar), directors of ANTT had already admitted the need for adjustments in the table during a meeting with leaders of Brazilian cooperativism, on Tuesday (05) in Brasilia. During the meeting, representatives of the cooperating producers criticized “inconsistencies in the tables released” and pointed to the need for “adjustments and revisions in return freight remuneration”.
The establishment of a minimum price that truckers can charge on each kilometer of freight was established by Provisional Measure (MP) 832, published on the last day 27. The MP determines that prices should be readjusted semiannually: on January 20 and 20 of July of each year. If the contractors do not meet the minimum price, they will be subject to a fine equal to double the stipulated amount. To set prices, ANTT must observe the costs of diesel oil and tolls. The tables are mandatory for the freight market of the whole country.
The measure is part of the proposals negotiated with truck drivers to close the recent 11-day standoff, but is criticized by agribusiness representatives, who say the costs of the sector will increase. In a statement, the Association of Soybean and Maize Producers of Mato Grosso (Aprosoja) expressed concern about the government’s decision, classifying it as “state interventionism in the economy.”
For Aprosoja, “self-regulation of freight prices should be conducted solely and exclusively by the market, following the basic principle of the economy of supply and demand” and “the tariff will certainly raise the price of freight, and consequently, the price of all final prices of consumer products “.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.