German Poultry Industry Rejects VAT Increase On Meat Products
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) has rejected a plan outlined by the government to increase VAT on meat products.
The funds raised by the proposed tax increase will be used to restructure livestock farming.
The president of ZDG, Friedrich-Otto Ripke believes that earmarking funds collected in this way is “legally impossible” in present circumstances.
He also appealed to the federal government for “an honest debate” about the future of livestock farming.
Ripke explained, “Federal minister of agriculture Cem Özdemir must honestly admit: A VAT increase affects all meat buyers, but would currently only benefit pig farmers in terms of funding.
“Long-term and legally secure financing of the restructuring of the entire livestock farming system is therefore not feasible – especially since half of the VAT revenues are allocated to the municipalities under budget law and the Bundestag has to approve the federal budget every year.”
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