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Italy’s Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida has proposed lowering the value-added tax (VAT) on oysters to make them more accessible to consumers and support the country’s struggling fishing industry.
Oysters: Not Just a Luxury Product
Speaking at an oyster tasting event at the Senate, Lollobrigida emphasized that oysters should not be considered a luxury product but rather a healthy and valuable food sourced from local fish farmers.
“The objective is to lower the VAT on oysters to counteract prices and allow more consumers to afford them,” he stated.
Boosting the Fishing Industry
Lollobrigida highlighted that reducing VAT on oysters could also help fishermen impacted by the blue crab invasion. The blue crab, an invasive species that has devastated clam-farming industries in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, poses a significant threat to local seafood production. Supporting oyster farming could help counterbalance these economic losses and create new opportunities for fish farmers.
Conclusion
The proposed VAT reduction aims to make oysters more affordable, promote sustainable aquaculture, and support struggling fishermen. If implemented, it could provide economic relief to the fishing sector while benefiting consumers.
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