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The German Winegrowers' Association (DWV) demands from the Federal Government to keep the reduced VAT rate of seven percent for food in the gastronomy. The reduction of the tax had been introduced as aid for restaurant and catering services with the exception of the sale of beverages as Corona aid in Germany in 2020 and is to expire at the end of 2023.
In a letter to several federal ministers and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the DWV stresses that winegrowers are also active in gastronomy and are "dependent on help in economically challenging times". The tax relief would mean that the actual cost increases due to the energy price and inflation would not have to be passed on to consumers.
"Especially these businesses, but also the entire gastronomy in the classic wine-growing regions, which are key for tourism, strengthening the rural area and the regional economy, continue to need the support of the federal government," writes DWV Secretary General Christian Schwörer. President Klaus Schneider emphasises the importance of gastronomy for the sale of wine: "A wave of bankruptcies, declining sales or dwindling customer numbers would also be an additional economic burden for the wine sector. "We are long and trusting partners who strengthen and benefit each other. That is why we are committed to the gastronomy sector," Schneider explained.
(al / Source: DWV)