The Russian government conceived to introduce excise taxes to sweet drinks, which raises prices for this category of goods. On the initiative with reference to two people who participated in the discussion and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance are written “Vedomosti”.
The project for the assignment of saham-containing beverages to the excisable was discussed at a meeting at the first unit of the government’s administrator Valery Sidorenko. It was about two option – excise on the drink depending on its cost and, depending on the sugar content. Interested departments are entrusted to work out the idea.
It is assumed that the fees from the excise will be 10-20 billion rubles per year. At the same time, the participants of the meeting dealt with the purpose of collecting. If one argues that the main purpose of the introduction of excise taxes is precisely an increase in the cost of drinks and reducing their consumption for the health of the population, the other indicates the replenishment of the treasury.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture opposes the introduction of excise on sweet drinks. According to the agency, such a measure threatens to reduce production, consumption and the very number of manufacturers, as well as the development of the illegal market. As a result, they warn in the department, no effect for budget growth of fees will bring.
The union of producers of juices, water and beverages (soysciates) made a categorically against the idea. The head of the organization Maxim Novikov recalled that there are only about 2 percent of sugar intake in Russia for sweet drinks, and the contribution to the budget from such an excise will be insignificant. In addition, the state will have to bear the costs of administering fees, the production and number of jobs in the industry can be reduced.
Analytical Center under the Government of Russia pointed out that more than 50 countries have introduced excise taxes for sweet drinks. However, in two European states such a measure was recognized ineffective – Denmark and Slovakia. Such excise tax was canceled.
Perhaps the discussion influenced the desire to introduce such excise from Kazakhstan. They want to start with 7 percent to get to 2025 percent by 2025. In Russia, similar measures could bring 64 rubles a year, if we consider all the cons.
Enter excise taxes on Sugar-containing drinks Ministry of Finance offered back in 2016. In February of this year, the same extent called in the State Duma. The reason was called an increased risk of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.