The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)

VAT increase is “unfair” on the public

- By SINEAD KELLEHER

KERRY people are being urged to join the campaign to halt the introducti­on of the 23-per-cent VAT to be applied to all food supplement­s from March 1. Up until now, no VAT was applied to such products, which include vitamins and minerals.

Lilian Leask of Mary’s Organic Store in Milltown believes that this tax is “unfair” and feels it shows how the Government only wants to make money.

“I feel this VAT is entirely unfair and shows that the government’s interest is purely in making money and not in preserving the health of its country. If they wanted people to be well, healthy and independen­t in their health choices they would not be proposing this tax. It’s clear that keeping people sick and reliant on medication is good for business,” she said.

The health products industry has launched a campaign to appeal to the Revenue Commission­ers and the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to defer the applicatio­n of 23-per-cent VAT on food supplement­s so as to allow the Government time to take advice and legislate. Deputy John Brassil is also calling on the Government to halt the introducti­on. A petition in Milltown has gathered more than 200 signatures and Lilian is calling on everyone to contact local TDs on the tax.

 ??  ?? Ita McConville, Colette Leask, Amanda McAllister and Lillian Leask looking to stop the VAT on health choices at Mary’s Organic Store in Milltown. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin
Ita McConville, Colette Leask, Amanda McAllister and Lillian Leask looking to stop the VAT on health choices at Mary’s Organic Store in Milltown. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin

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