Faced with the progression of the epidemic in France, the government decided on March 5 - 12 days before confinement - to regulate the rates of hydroalcoholic gels, which became in the space of a few weeks a basic good for the whole population. This ceiling was taken up and detailed in the decree of March 23, prescribing the general measures necessary to deal with the epidemic. The same speed was not observed, however, for the masks, which soon became essential. What cause anger and misunderstanding in the opposition.
Any “abuses” noted?
As deconfinement approaches, whose plan will be submitted to the vote of deputies this Tuesday to begin on May 11, eyes are turning to the availability of masks, and in particular that of the so-called "general public" which could be made mandatory in public transport. Pharmacists have been allowed to sell these since Monday. It already appears that their prices vary depending on the models.
Several political leaders had spoken out in recent weeks in favor of such a framework. Sunday, Marine Le Pen went there with his tweet to ask the government, in view of the "abuses" observed, to set a ceiling at the price of washable masks called "general public". The president of the National Rally considered that the price of the masks sold between 5 and 15 euros was a "shame" in view of the manufacturing costs.
It is unfortunate to arrive there there but taking into account the abuses which are revealed, it is necessary that the State, failing to provide them free of charge, fixes a ceiling at the price of the washable masks known as "general public".
Masks between 5 and 15 € it's a shame considering the manufacturing price! MLP
Other parliamentarians, such as the socialist senator from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Frédérique Espagnac, also put the subject on the table during the session. "We see a lot of prices going up unacceptably," she said when examining the amending budget. You will tell me that it is complicated to cap prices because they are also imports. But I believe that for the protection of our fellow citizens as well as for businesses, it is not possible to continue to see this inflation in the price of the mask. "
"Do not hold back innovation"
This outcome was not retained by the executive. At a press conference on Monday, the Secretary of State for the Economy Agnès Pannier-Runacher explained the reasons. “A mask can have different characteristics, whether it is the number of uses, possibly brands. For these reasons, the approach of saying there is a maximum price would risk hampering innovation. ”
The logo of #masks for the general public also allows precise information to be given to everyone on the number of washes for which the mask has been tested and retains its filtration and breathability properties. https://t.co/8M551F4J2s
- Agnès Pannier-Runacher (@AgnesRunacher) April 27, 2020An exit which somewhat annoyed in the ranks of the opposition. “So we should not regulate the price of masks so as not to slow innovation . Will they make us drink their liberal potion to the dregs? Tweeted LFI MEP Manuel Bompard. Mathilde Panot, MP for Val-de-Marne, went much further: "All their problem is there: they prefer not to slow innovation rather than curb the epidemic," she wrote. on the same social network.
The Secretary of State, however, promised that the government would monitor sales prices very closely. She estimates that a good price would be, in the case of washable and reusable masks, at around "20 euro cents per use". Agnès Pannier-Runacher said that she asked the General Directorate for Competition, Consumption and the Suppression of Fraud to make proposals to her within 48 hours, "making it possible to guarantee the accessibility of masks". For her, the French should have at least three masks each. This could pose some difficulties for modest or large families in the event that the prices prove to be high.
Discussions with large retailers
Questioned by BFMTV, the Secretary of State said she expects large retailers to "make a very precise point" to the government on stocks, their distribution in the territory and the prices that will be charged. She evokes a "discussion so that prices are very competitive for families on a low budget".
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The second amending finance law for 2020, published in the Official Journal, records the transition to a reduced rate of 5.5% of the VAT applicable to protective masks and protective clothing.