Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain held a meeting with a high-level delegation from Nestle. During the huddle, the delegation highlighted various issues faced by the industry, particularly the taxes imposed on infant milk powder.
The federal minister assured the delegation that the government's top priority was to minimise taxes on the infant milk powder to ensure every citizen had easy access to the essential commodity. He stated that infant milk was directly related to the growth and nourishment of newborns and young children, so it should either be tax-free or subject to minimal taxes.
Rana Tanveer emphasised that the Ministry of National Food Security was seriously working on the matter and positive progress was expected soon.
He cited examples from other countries where the infant milk powder was exempt from taxes. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, there is no value-added tax on the infant milk powder. Similarly, in Australia and New Zealand, infant formula is considered a basic nutritional necessity and is therefore exempt from taxes.
Referring to the policies of those countries, the food security minister underscored the need for Pakistan to adopt a similar approach so that every family could have easy access to quality milk for their children.
He urged the delegation to maximise the use of local fruits in the company's products in order to provide benefits to rural farmers and promote agricultural production.
He mentioned that many rural families were relying on the production and sale of milk for their livelihood; therefore, the government would make every effort to improve their economic conditions.
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