Scrapping VAT on essential food products while also helping producers in the process will cost Portugal around €600 million, Prime Minister António Costa said after his government signed a deal with retailers and farmers in Lisbon on Monday.
The pact for the stabilisation and reduction of food prices was signed by the government, the Portuguese association of retail distribution companies (APED) and the confederation of farmers of Portugal (CAP).
“Between support for production and loss of tax revenue as a result of zero VAT, this programme has a total cost of around €600 million,” said the prime minister.
The prime minister also stressed the need to monitor the situation over these six months.
The signed agreement also guarantees that products for consumer sale will have the VAT reduction reflected in the sale price.
It also helps producers who have been struggling with the price of fertilisers, feed and energy going up.
(Lucília Tiago | Lusa.pt)
Source: euractiv.com
