FNLI warns for impact of climate plans on food sector

Food manufacturers fear the additional charges and huge tax increase on gas if government plans go through. FNLI is calling on the parliament to exempt entrepreneurs who cannot electrify because the infrastructure is not in place from the increase in the tax on gas.

FNLI warns that food manufacturers will be hit hard by the proposed measures in the government's additional climate package. A preliminary playing field test shows that taxes and levies will increase by several hundred percent, even up to 700% compared to 2019. This is counterproductive for making the industry more sustainable.

FNLI urges the Chamber to exempt entrepreneurs without adequate infrastructure from tax increases on gas. An impact test should clarify the impact of the measure.

Cees-Jan Adema, director of FNLI, emphasizes the urgency: "Our members are ready to become more sustainable, but there is hardly any opportunity to switch from gas to electricity anywhere in the Netherlands due to the overloaded power grid. However, the cost of gas is rising by more than a billion euros, with a huge impact on many companies. While they still have to wait years for electricity connection, their investment space for sustainability is getting smaller and smaller due to tax increases."

The playing field test shows the following percentage cost increases over the 2019-2030 period:

• Bread bakery: cost increase of 454%
• Brewery: cost increase of 305%
• Dairy: cost increase of 687%

FNLI calls for a fair approach in climate measures and exempting entrepreneurs who cannot currently electrify. This is essential for achieving sustainability goals.

Fnli.nl