On January 1, the tax on plastics will enter into force. The food industry has legal doubts about the tax, and it fears the economic impact it will have on a sector that is already affected by the cost increase of its processes.
As published by Efeagro, the tax, which derives from the Law on Waste and Contaminated Soils, will establish a 45 cents tariff per kilogram of single-use plastic.
"We ask the Administration not to adopt any fiscal measure that damages the companies' competitiveness and consumers themselves under the current tense economic situation," the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB) stated.
In addition to the strictly economic reasons - about 2 billion according to a study by International Financial Analysts (IFAs)– the implementation of a tax of this nature is very complex and requires regulatory development that explains in detail all the procedures and administrative procedures to be followed, they added.
Along these lines, FIAB considers that the companies must have enough time to be able to solve these issues.
According to the sustainability manager of the Spanish Association of Manufacturers and Distributors (AECOC), Cinta Bosch, "plastic is indispensable for many uses, and it is irreplaceable." There isn't enough quality recycled plastic available to supply the entire food industry, and there are several recycled plastics that cannot be used by the food industry, she added.
Bosch highlighted that another of the obligations implied by this law, the Extended Producer Responsibility, could have a 1.15 billion impact on the sector in the context of rising costs, especially energy costs.
All these costs will reduce the competitiveness of the companies because only Italy has a similar tax, she added.
Source: efeagro.com