In the complete comments procedure on the government’s consolidated package, the Ministry of Health proposed a VAT rate of 12% for plant-based milk substitute products. He also wants to maintain benefit exemptions for employees. 21% VAT on water is no problem.

Five day reminder consolidated package The government’s proposed austerity measures expire on Monday [29.5.]. Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic [MZ ČR] as well as the Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic [MMR] calls for plant-based milk substitutes to be reclassified from the government’s proposed 21% value-added tax base rate [DPH] to the single proposal of reducing the VAT rate to 12%. Both departments consider reminders important. The health department believes that people suffering from lactose intolerance are at a disadvantage. Local developments add reasons such as religious beliefs and world views to drink or not drink dairy products.

“Given items [rostlinné mléko] “It is important from the point of view of the health significance of the impact of taxation on plant milks in relation to patients suffering from lactose malabsorption.” said the Ministry of Health.

He points out that, according to some sources, around ten percent of the Czech population suffers from lactose intolerance. According to the department, it seems undesirable to burden the majority of the population with higher VAT on a good that is absolutely necessary for them in many ways.

Medicines will become more expensive. The government is subject to 12% tax, not 10% VAT.

MMR is also demanding that milk alternatives be included in the reduced VAT rate. For example, plant-based drinks made from soybeans, nuts and cereals.

“Failure to include these milk alternatives in the reduced VAT rate will create an unreasonable discriminatory approach by the state towards people with disabilities, who have certain religious beliefs or worldviews,” reminds MMR.

He justifies this by the fact that consumers consume plant-based alternatives to milk, for example due to allergies to lactose or casein.

Minister of War and Water and Alcohol Taxation

In the explanatory note on the government’s proposal, it is stated that all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are now subject to a basic rate of 21 percent. The exception is liquid milk products, which must apply the same rate as food, namely 12 percent.

On the other hand, starting next year, even baby water and mineral water will be included in the basic VAT rate of 21%. Which is considered useless not only by professionals, but also by the wider community. Twice because the government ultimately refused to impose an excise tax on wine from Moravia. The recent arguments of the Minister of Health, Vlastimil Válek, are surprising [TOP 09]who claim that there is no relationship between alcohol taxes and the health of citizens.

He conveyed the minister’s opinion on the CNN Prima News television program, Monday, May 29. president of the Czech Medical Chamber [ČLK] Milan Kubek as follows.

“It can be said that we are a country that has a big problem with alcoholism. Many people just drink in a disorderly way. And we’re probably the only country in the world where you can get alcoholic drinks cheaper than non-alcoholic drinks in the restaurants.”

At the same time, he firmly rejected Minister Válek’s opinion. “Increasing taxes on harmful substances will reduce their consumption,” the head doctor emphasized something that was quite familiar.

After the government, even the State Budget Council lied to the people

Karel Nešpor, head emeritus of Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital, made a similar statement to CNN Prima News. That demonstrating the country’s benevolent approach in the long term in the field of alcohol and other addictive substances.

“Perhaps the Minister is not aware of World Health Organization material attributing harm to alcohol. These categories are closely related. Or maybe the minister didn’t pay enough attention when studying medicine,” Nesfor said.

The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic reminds about the taxation of recreation allowances

In its comments, the Ministry of Health, in addition to the VAT rate for plant-based milk, also highlighted the consequences of canceling the tax relief for holiday allowances. The Ministry of Finance wants to cancel this in order to increase APBN revenues. However, according to the Ministry of Health, situations may arise where a large number of workers limit the sports and exercise activities provided by their employers. Which in turn negatively impacts employee health status and long-term health care costs.

Another comment regarding government consolidation refers to the VAT rate on baby diapers and women’s menstrual equipment, but not from the Ministry of Health, but from the Ministry of Regional Development. According to the government, these goods must fall below the basic VAT rate of 21 percent. However, in its comments, MMR essentially demands that menstrual supplies and baby diapers be taxed at a reduced VAT rate of 12%.

“Menstrual equipment such as tampons, pads, menstrual panties and cups are basic necessities for all women who are menstruating,” confirmed the MMR proposal.

Most countries around the world have implemented reduced VAT rates, or even excluded taxes on menstrual supplies altogether, according to the authority. International trends show that these taxes need to be re-evaluated to maintain equity and from a health impact perspective.

–VRN/ČTK–

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