MEDIA RELEASE
27 June 2003
Call for positive action on health taxes
“Vegetables should be GST exempt,” says Vegetable and Potato Growers’ Chair, Brian Garguilio.
“This would be a far more positive move than a fat tax on fast foods as proposed in some quarters,” he said.
“If Government is truly serious about promoting healthy eating it should take postive actions rather than taking money
off those who maybe can least afford it.
“By removing the GST on fruit and vegetables the Government would make these healthy products that much more affordable
and accessible than they are at present.
“The idea of of putting taxes on fast foods in order to discourage their consumption will simply add to the cost of
living, with little benefit in terms of health outcomes,” he said.
“Simply increasing the cost of hamburgers, fish and chips, pizza and Chinese takeaways won’t have much of an effect on
the waistlines of New Zealanders.
“Encouraging them to eat more veggies is far more appropriate and will certainly be more effective,” Mr Garguilio said.
Ends…/