In the campaign, 10,000 posters and 100,000 information leaflets will be distributed in fishmongers to inform about the application of a 10% VAT

Fishing sector launches campaign to support consumers in demanding VAT reduction

The campaign will be launched in over 6,000 fishmongers across Spain, with the goal of garnering the support of more than half a million citizens.

Madrid – The Spanish fishing industry has intensified its efforts to advocate for the elimination or reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on fish products by bringing the issue directly to the public. Today, in Madrid's Guzmán el Bueno market, the sector announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at winning the backing of citizens. The initiative, which will take place in more than 6,000 fishmongers throughout Spain, is expected to secure the support of over half a million consumers by the end of the year.

Photo: provided

The campaign, which will combine physical and online support, will involve distributing 10,000 posters and 100,000 information leaflets in fishmongers to inform citizens about the application of a 10% VAT on their purchases of fish products compared to the lower rates applied to other foods. The information provided explains that this is because fish products are not considered a basic food for the diet, despite the quality of the proteins they provide and the recommendation of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) to consume between three and four portions of fish per week. The leaflets also delve into the health benefits derived from the consumption of fish products.

Photo: provided

Consumers will soon have the opportunity to support the campaign for the elimination or reduction of VAT on fishery products directly from their mobile phones. By scanning the QR code featured on brochures distributed at fishmongers or visiting the website www.pescadoymariscosiniva.es, they can easily participate. As previously mentioned, the campaign is supported by the most prominent organizations in the fishing, aquaculture, processing, and marketing sectors in the country. The organizers aim to gather half a million supporters by the end of the year.

Luisa Álvarez, General Director of the National Federation of Provincial Associations of Retail Business Owners of Fish and Frozen Products (FEDEPESCA), stated, "The main beneficiaries of a VAT reduction on fishery products are the citizens of this country, as it would make this essential source of protein more accessible to a larger population. This is why we decided to involve consumers in this effort." Álvarez added, "We will assess the reach of this campaign and, based on the results, determine our next steps."

It is important to note that just last week, the fishing sector once again urged the government to eliminate or reduce VAT on fishery products. This follows a statement made by Vice President María Jesús Montero in June, announcing that a reduced VAT rate will be applied to certain essential Mediterranean diet products, such as olive oil, which will be taxed at 4% starting in January 2025. However, fishery products, which remain taxed at 10%, were notably excluded from this reduction.

The sector has since requested a new meeting with President Sánchez and the relevant ministers to seek clarification on why the government’s nutrition and health policies fail to promote citizens' access to high-quality protein sources, such as fishery products. The industry also highlights that fishery products have "the lowest carbon footprint" compared to other forms of food production.

The sector emphasizes that the European Commission (EC) already permits the implementation of beneficial tax measures in seven key sectors, with food being one of them. Specifically, Council Directive (EU) 2022/542, dated 5 April 2022, revised the legal framework governing VAT rates across the European Union (EU). This framework allows Member States to set their own tax rates, including a 0% VAT rate, which can be applied to seven categories of goods and services. These include essential items such as food, water, medicines, medical equipment, and passenger transport.

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A Historic Demand

The call for reducing or eliminating VAT on fishery products, in all their forms—fresh, chilled, frozen, preserved, smoked, etc.—has been a long-standing demand of the fishing industry. This demand has gained momentum in recent years, particularly after fish was excluded from the list of staple foods, preventing it from benefiting from the VAT reduction measures introduced by the government in mid-2022 to combat inflation, which surged following the invasion of Ukraine.

The industry believes that making healthy and essential foods, like fish and seafood, more affordable for citizens should be a priority for any government. Many European countries have already taken steps in this direction by implementing favorable tax policies for food. For example, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom maintain a permanent 0% VAT rate on fish, while the Portuguese government eliminated VAT on key fish species in April 2023 and applied a super-reduced rate of 6% earlier this year. Other countries such as Germany (7%), Belgium (6%), Cyprus, Croatia, Hungary, Poland (5%), France (5.5%), and Luxembourg (3%) also have reduced VAT rates on fishery products.

Finally, the fishing sector highlights that adopting a more favorable tax policy for fishery products could help mitigate the ongoing decline in consumption. According to Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA), the 2023 Food Consumption Report revealed that per capita household consumption of fishery products dropped to 18.56 kg in 2023, a 3.3% decrease from 2022. This marks the lowest consumption level in the historical data, reflecting a cumulative decline of 34.3% since 2008.

Noticia relacionada:

• The fishing sector reiterates its request to the Government for the elimination or reduction of VAT and will take its demand to the streets

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