Beverage Council calls for VAT-rate reduction on drinks

The Beverage Council of Ireland (BCI) wants the Government to reduce the VAT rate on bottled water, fruit juices and soft drinks in next week’s Budget from its current level of 21% to 13.5%.

The BCI, which is the representative body of the bottled and packaged beverage industry in Ireland, argues in a comprehensive pre-Budget submission to the Minister for Finance that the current VAT rate on these products is “unjust and discriminatory”.