PDGN Vice-President and Moroccan MP, Dr Mostafa Brahimi, reports that a summit on the role of taxation in preventing obesity was held in the Moroccan Parliament.
The summit involved parliamentarians, agri-food industry representatives, such as biscuits, sugar drinks and dairy products, together with academics and the President of the of the International Diabetes Federation Middle-East and North Africa region (IDF MENA).
This meeting followed the Finance Law 2022 that Dr Brahimi MP tabled (reported in issue one, 2022) for extending the tax on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and other products containing sugar; biscuits, chocolate, yogurt and dairy products.
Dr Brahimi reports that discussions were very tough between the parliamentarians and industry representatives. The latter drew on a study commissioned by manufacturers that doubted the effectiveness of the tax in the fight against obesity and diabetes prevention.
In a joint statement it was agreed that a total investment cost project would be undertaken to look at the matter again before the 2023 budget.
Dr Brahimi (pictured, centre, 2nd row) also reports on an amendment he successfully presented to the Moroccan Parliament to reduce customs duties.
The move is to reduce them from 40 percent to 2.5 percent on all products used in the manufacture of medicinal products that assist people with diabetes. The amendment has a double effect of reducing the cost of drugs, while encouraging the Moroccan pharmaceutical industry.