The aim of the food chain monitoring tax is for those involved in the food chain to bear the required financial burdens at a more proportionate level. Within the present system, there are certain sectors (e.g. commerce), that – while consuming significant supervising authority resources – do not contribute to monitoring and supervision expenses. At the same time, other sectors bear disproportionately large burdens (e.g. the meat sector and slaughterhouses). The Ministry of Rural Development is reassessing the currently applicable food chain monitoring administration and service charges, as a result of which there will be less charged items and charges themselves will decrease in some areas. Overall, the financial burden borne by businesses will therefore not increase.
The food chain monitoring tax can be seen as the first step in the restructuring process aimed – in harmony with the Government's programme and the National Rural Strategy – at creating a stronger and more transparent supervising authority.
The assurance of the safety of food and food supply, the decreasing of dependency, the reinforcement of quality control, and the protection of critical infrastructure are a question of national security. The strict monitoring performed in the interests of society involves significant expenses. The expenses of the monitoring charge are incurred by the relevant participant within the food chain (from the soil to the table).
The introduction of the monitoring tax realises the proportional bearing of expenses between the various participants within the food chain, taking over from the previous, unfair system. When determining the circle of those required to pay the monitoring tax, taking into account national economic processes and the differences between those affected, special emphasis was placed on realising proportional contribution obligations. The fundamental goal: to have more contributors, but with each paying less.
Parallel with the introduction of the monitoring tax, in order to prevent double fee payment, the Ministry of Rural Development is reviewing the administrative service charges currently payable for administrative proceedings and inspections within the sphere of food chain control supervision. The number and type of fees payable will fall significantly, and in certain sectors the charges themselves will also diminish. Therefore, the financial burden borne by businesses will not increase overall. A kind of proportional sharing of expenses is being created between the state, food businesses and consumers. The decrease in the number and type of administrative charges will also lead to increased transparency.
According to the Ministry's plans, the monitoring tax will be equal to 0.1% (one thousandth) of the income resulting from activities that fall under the sphere of responsibility of the food chain control and supervision authority, and will be paid directly to the authority itself. Those small agricultural producers whose income-tax liable annual (tax year) income does not exceed 8 million Ft will be exempt from paying the monitoring tax.
The direct contribution of the various participants within the food chain helps to maintain the conditions (professionally trained supervision authority staff, modern and sufficiently equipped laboratories and investigative instruments, etc.) that are indispensable to enable the provision of the authority's services, while at the same time also contributing to improvements and development (comprehensive food chain control authority IT system, standardised food chain control authority database, national reference laboratory, etc.).
The direct and more equitable contribution system increases the feeling of responsibility on the part of those affected, while greater transparency increases trust towards the authority itself. The measures also lead to greater food safety, which in turn means a healthier population.
(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)
