PzP: Abolish fuel excise duties, reduce VAT and support farmers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - We are witnessing constant price hikes for basic foodstuffs and fuel in Bosnia and Herzegovina lately, and the inflation spiral has already begun, states the Platform for Progress.

"Prices of fuel and food are rising, which will cause further price increases for other products. Currently, agricultural policy does not clearly define priorities, which particularly affects food supply security and prices in times of crisis like this, when supply chains are threatened. The high price of fuel is one of the main reasons why domestic farmers are uncompetitive compared to imported food products. And they cannot be competitive with fuel whose price these days reaches 3 KM per liter," the Platform points out.

Now, with the same salary, a worker can buy less, as can a pensioner with their pension.

"It is necessary for the authorities to show solidarity with their citizens at this moment. Therefore, the Platform for Progress urgently demands from the ruling parties SNSD, SDA and HDZ, and the Council of Ministers and Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1. Temporary abolition of excise duties on fuel 2. Abolition of VAT on basic foodstuffs (flour, bread, oil, milk, medicines, fuel) 3. Urgent definition of agricultural policy in line with the global situation, adoption of a strategy and provision of support to farmers, and introduction of "blue diesel" for agricultural producers. We demand that the decision-making parties and responsible institutions urgently engage in the implementation of these measures. Sowing is starting soon, support for agriculture is late. The authorities must help our farmers and enable them to produce food, so that in times of crisis we do not seek help and finally do not import what we do not have to import," the statement reads.