The text aimed to limit the amount of sugars in soft drinks. It was rejected before being drafted and finally adopted on Monday, November 4, by the deputies. The latter finally approved on Monday, November 4, a reform of the “soda tax”aims to limit the amount of sugar in this type of beverage, within the framework of the first reading examination of the Social Security budget.
The Social Affairs Commission requested on Monday afternoon a second deliberation on an amendment by the socialist Jérôme Guedj that the National Assembly had rejected in the morning. It was approved by 142 votes in favor and 100 against. The “rebels”, who had abstained on Monday morning, voted in favor of Guedj’s amendment, adding their voices to those of the rest of the left, MoDem and Horizons. The deputies of LR and the Ensemble pour la République (EPR, ex-Renaissance) were divided.
This amendment, subamended by general rapporteur Yannick Neuder (LR), plans to reform the tax on soft drinks by creating three tax brackets, instead of sixteen, inspired by the British model. british tax “It made it possible to reduce by 40% the proportion of drinks above the first threshold (5 grams per milliliter) and the total reduction in sugar intake would be estimated at 30 grams per household per week, an effect four times greater than the French tax. »develops the statement of reasons for the modification.
Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq (MoDem) supported the amendment, as did her predecessor, Frédéric Valletoux (Horizons). The former Minister of Consumer Affairs and EPR deputy, Olivia Grégoire, opposed it, highlighting a possible impact of the tax on the price paid by the consumer. The deputies also approved an amendment by environmentalist Sabrina Sebaihi, whose objective is to introduce a tax on added sugars in processed food products, against the opinion of the Government.
Prosthesis advertising tax
The Assembly also approved the obligation for food manufacturers to mention the nutriscore of their products in their advertising. Those who do not comply with this restriction would have to pay a ” contribution “ to Social Security, equivalent to 5% of your advertising budget.
By exception, products that benefit from a designation of origin, a PGI, a red label or other mention “mountain products” will not be affected by this obligation, in order to avoid a negative manifestation that would be affected by the majority of cheeses, in particular.
MEPs also voted in favor of a tax on hearing aid advertising (to discourage “excessive and deceptive advertising practices” driving to “inappropriate purchases”), as well as a system aimed at reducing the cost of complementary mutual insurance for retirees, the unemployed or unemployed young people.
These votes, however, are not definitive, the text is just beginning its parliamentary journey, and due to the probable use by the Government of article 49-3, which will allow it to maintain the amendments of its choice in the final text.
