A law to maintain the VAT rate at 6% on meals delivered to communities

This is the ambition of the Ecolo-Groen parliamentary group which wants to counter the perverse effects of the VAT reform, namely more expensive meals in institutions (schools, nurseries, hospitals) as well as unfair competition between internal and collective kitchens.

© SARAH SCHLITZ

“Maintaining the reduced VAT rate on these meals is a clear choice: protecting access to quality food for children, infants, patients, and the elderly,” declared Sarah Schlitz, the Ecolo-Groen group leader in the Chamber of Representatives, at the end of January. Her political party was preparing to submit an amendment aimed at maintaining the reduced 6% rate on meal deliveries intended for use in daycare centers, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

"Eating well is essential for learning or healing. School canteens should be levers for public health, education and sustainable and local food, not budgetary adjustment variables," she commented in a statement.

The De Wever government's decision to impose a 12% surcharge on takeaway food is likely to impact these institutions, creating discrimination between those with their own kitchens and those using an external provider.

On a technical level, the Ecolo-Groen MPs intended to create a specific category in the royal decree defining the goods and services subject to the tax, in order to exempt these local authorities and their suppliers. However, when put to a vote in plenary session on February 5, the amendment was rejected (by 76 votes against, out of 138).

In response to the majority's blockage, which Sarah Schlitz and her colleagues had anticipated, the political group promptly introduced a bill to bring the debate to committee. "This bill guarantees the maintenance of the reduced VAT rate of 6% for deliveries of meals intended for children attending nurseries and schools, patients admitted to hospitals, and residents of nursing homes," summarizes the title of the bill.

Repeatedly questioned on the issue, Finance Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) had suggested that no exceptions were included in the draft legislation, which would be submitted to the Council of State for review. Meanwhile, the Council of State has slammed this flawed VAT reform, which has been sent back to the negotiating table this week. It remains to be seen whether all these considerations regarding institutional funding will be taken into account this time.