Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-10-13-Speech-4-013-000"
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"en.20111013.3.4-013-000"2
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"Madam President, I would like to begin by thanking the rapporteur for the excellent cooperation which has resulted in a good report in which we, the European Parliament, are sending a number of very clear messages in the debate about the reform of the VAT system in the Union.
That system must be made simpler, more efficient and more transparent. I believe that Mr Casa’s report helps take the debate forward. It is not the end but rather the beginning of a long road, and we are waiting for proposals from the Commission in order to continue along the way.
In the debate, we must, of course, be aware that there has been a shift in recent years from direct to more indirect taxation, but this has not yet been enough to guarantee the funding of the welfare state. It is therefore important that account is taken in this debate of fiscal proposals concerning a financial transaction tax, energy taxation, and so on.
Reforming VAT is clearly not neutral either. It is an important policy instrument that has a direct impact on consumption behaviour. It can either stimulate or discourage the purchase of goods. We therefore take the view that reduced VAT rates and exemptions must remain possible, for instance, for the non-profit sector and voluntary associations, and for social reasons.
For a number of sectors, account must also be taken of new trends and policy priorities. These include the transport sector, in which aviation and maritime transport are treated differently to the railways, a fact which hampers the development of a level playing field between the different means of transport and gives rise to market disruption.
We see more or less the same picture in the cultural sector, in which books should receive the same VAT treatment irrespective of the form they take, so that the same rate applies to downloadable and streamed books as to, for example, books printed on paper. We must also carefully examine such matters as well.
Finally, allow me to say a few words about efficiency and fraud. This has already been raised by other speakers. The system absolutely must become less sensitive to fraud, given that a figure of EUR 80-100 billion per year in lost VAT revenues has been reported. It goes without saying that this is unacceptable. Better monitoring and better consultation between services are a must. We also support simplifying the administration, although on the condition that doing so does not open up any back doors and that it helps us to combat fraud.
We also support the move towards a destination principle based on the place of consumption. This must go hand in hand with the introduction of well-functioning one-stop shops throughout the Union.
In conclusion, Madam President, I think that this report will definitely contribute to the debate and is a good start; we await the Commission’s initiatives on the matter with baited breath."@en1
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