Organic food is unfairly taxed. That is the opinion of the Biowinkelvereniging, the association of organic shopkeepers. The national petition 'no VAT on organic' will start on Friday 3 November.
With a petition, the Biowinkelvereniging, in which the organic specialty stores of Ekoplaza, Natuurwinkel, Odin and Gimsel work together, wants to denounce to the House of Representatives that organic food is being taxed unjustly. "Because as long as the costs of environmental destruction, such as the massive death of insects, are not passed on to the polluter, but on the taxpayer, the price of organically produced food is too high," they say.
The initiators call it the task of the government to protect and preserve drinking water sources, climate, biodiversity, soil and health for current and future generations. "Environmentally friendly organic farming is a broad and effective measure and should therefore be exempt from VAT."
In 100 days to 0%
The aim of the initiators is to go to 100% VAT on organic food in the first 0 days of the cabinet. On November 10, 11 and 12, consumers will be able to shop VAT-free at their organic specialty store. The 6% VAT on foodstuffs will then not be charged.
Real price of organic food
Volkert Engelsman, named most influential sustainable Dutchman of 2017 by Trouw last month, signed the petition for the first time. He charted the costs of food from his trading company Eosta. According to the research report 'True Cost of Food', which he conducted together with the FAO, the price of organic food is lower than conventional food (if you include the social costs for the environment and living environment). "Organic food is not too expensive, but conventional food is too cheap," concludes Engelsman.
From Friday, the petition will be open at the cash register of the organic specialty stores and on the campaign website† The goal is to collect at least 40.000 signatures. The petition with signatures will be presented to the members of the House of Representatives in early 2018.
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The next example of self-aggrandizement is that pvdd has submitted a motion to support only young organic farmers.