French senator seeks support for wine tax increase
French senator seeks support for wine tax increase
May 15, 2013 6(Decanter) - French Senator Yves Daudigny is looking for support for a new tax on wine sold in France.
Daudigny (pictured) caused international protest last October for his championing of a 300% tax increase on palm oil, known as the Nutella Tax.
The wine tax would be the latest in a series of taxes aimed at the drinks industry. Spirits have been taxed in France since October 2011, and a beer tax was introduced in October 2012.
The wine tax would be brought in during the annual tax reforms, aimed at raising funds for social welfare programmes and targeting health-related products, from tobacco to saturated fats to alcohol, so would be expected in October 2013.
The health lobby, in agreement with Daudigny, points out that levels of alcohol in drinks should be taxed, rather than specifically targeting either spirits or beer.
Wine is the most consumed alcohol in France, accounting for 59% of alcohol consumption, compared to 16% for beer and 25% on spirits.
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