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Weekly market in Leipzig: Cucumbers and tomatoes, among other things, have recently been particularly expensive
Photo: Christian Grube / IMAGO
Food Minister Cem Özdemir supports calls for a VAT exemption for fruit, vegetables and legumes in view of the sharp rise in prices.
But the idea has met with criticism in the traffic light coalition.
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung": "Unfortunately, the VAT reduction is not a specific measure to relieve people on low incomes."
Social and consumer associations, on the other hand, had called on the government to use new EU rules and set VAT to zero percent for food such as fruit and vegetables.
Özdemir agreed - and said: "If we make fruit and vegetables cheaper, we not only relieve the burden on consumers comparatively cheaply, but also promote healthy nutrition through the steering effect gained."
Left also for liberation
Dietmar Bartsch, leader of the left-wing parliamentary group, is also in favor of the plans.
"The temporary suspension of VAT on staple foods is a measure that would take effect quickly, something like this is needed now," he told the "Tagesspiegel".
The previous relief packages were not enough.
Dürr, on the other hand, emphasized that both previous packages contained measures for families and households that had a particularly difficult time.
“That definitely makes more sense than a patchwork quilt for VAT.”
The financial policy spokesman for the SPD in the Bundestag, Michael Schrodi, seconded that the packages had already brought targeted relief worth billions.
He added: »Of course we will keep an eye on further developments and, if necessary, we will not hesitate to take further targeted measures if this should become necessary.«
The standard VAT rate is currently 19 percent.
The reduced rate of 7 percent subsidizes products that serve the common good - including staples such as milk, meat, fruit, vegetables and baked goods.
apr/dpa
