Czech farmers plan blockades to protest discontinuation of diesel tax rebates

Czech farmers are planning a series of road blockades in protest of the planned discontinuation of tax rebates on diesel fuel for workers in the agricultural sector and the announced introduction of a new tax on wine. The first blockade is set to take place on May 23rd. According to the head of the Agricultural Chamber, Jan Veleba, farmers are hoping to put the government under pressure to reverse its decision. In mid-April, the chamber had called on Prime Minister Petr Nečas to conserve the diesel tax rebates in the agricultural sector. The discontinuation of the rebate program comes as part of a reform package aimed at keeping the state budget deficit below 3 percent GDP in 2013 and 2014. Currently, farmers are able to claim 60 percent of the consumption tax they pay on diesel gas back from the state.

Author: Sarah Borufka