ND1025111

Title: France Backs Soft Drink Tax

Description: The proposal is considered a revenue generator and would be earmarked to help combat obesity.

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PARIS ? France?s parliament approved a tax on sugar- and artificially-sweetened beverages last week, an initiative that is projected to generate 280 million euros ($389 million U.S.) in 2012, Reuters reports.

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The tax will add approximately 2 euro cents (2.8 cents U.S.) to a can of soda, according to Gilles Carrez, general reporter for the Finance commission in the lower house of the Fresh parliament.

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The tax would be earmarked to help combat obesity as well as reduce costs related to agricultural workers.

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Some ministers opposed an original plan to tax only sugar soft drinks, relenting to back the proposal once artificially sweetened drinks were included.

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The head of France?s Ania national food industry sharply criticized the move, characterizing the tax as ?ridiculous.?

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"It won't combat obesity at all," Jean-Rene Buisson said. "The argument the way it is presented by the government is completely unacceptable."

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Buisson maintained the tax is designed to help reduce the national deficit, not fight obesity.

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The proposal next moves to the French Senate for debate.?

Content Subject: International

Formatted Article Date: October 25, 2011

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