FWS wants a broad sugar tax as soon as possible

The fresh drinks sector (FWS) is calling on the Cabinet and the House of Representatives not to implement the doubling of the consumption tax on soft drinks before 2023, but instead to introduce a smart soft drinks tax according to the UK model as soon as possible.

The beverage companies are calling for careful work to be done on a smart tax on non-alcoholic beverages based on the British model from 2024, as a first step towards a broad sugar tax.

Inconsistent policy

The sector welcomes the fact that the cabinet is investigating the introduction of tax measures to promote health. The introduction of an effective tax requires careful preparation. FWS is currently missing that, because first drinks - irrespective of how much sugar they contain - are increased and only then is a study being carried out into how better to link up with the cabinet's starting point of encouraging healthy choices and making unhealthy choices more difficult. This inconsistent policy cannot be explained to consumers. Certainly not at a time when purchasing power is already under pressure, according to the FWS.

A broader sugar tax as quickly as possible

As a next step, the producers believe that this tax must then be incorporated into a broad sugar tax as quickly as possible. Because the experiences in England also teach us that a soft drinks tax alone does not lead to less obesity. Therefore, a broad sugar tax as an integral part of a broad package of measures is necessary, according to the FWS.

Fws.nl