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 -Published: Monday, October 28, 2019- New
attack against nation's agriculture
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Sugar, a major Costa Rican export, continues to be under attack worldwide. The latest criticism Sunday came from the World Medical Association, which urged all governments to enact a tax on sugar. The international association to which Costa Rica is one of 112 members made the request at its annual meeting in Georgia, earlier this month, it said Sunday. The idea is to reduce the affordability of added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages, and the tax revenue collected should then be used for health promotion programs aimed at reducing obesity and non-communicable diseases, said the organization. Costa Rica has more than 7,000 sugar growers who produce more than 450,000 metric tons a year. World production is around 180 million tons. All of Central America exported $1.24 billion worth of sugar in 2017, according to Central America Data. A high level of free sugar consumption has been associated with non-communicable diseases because of its association with obesity and poor dietary quality. The diseases cited elsewhere are diabetes, heart problems and even certain forms of cancer. The most common causes of these diseases are poorly balanced diet and physical inactivity, said the association. The medical association adopted the World Health Organization definition of free sugar which is all sugars that are added during food manufacturing and preparation as well as sugars that are naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices, and fruit concentrates. Targeted in addition to soft drinks are fruit and vegetables juices and drinks, liquid and powder concentrates, flavored water, energy and sports drinks, ready-to-drink tea, ready-to-drink coffee and flavored milk drinks. The statement by the medical association is part of a continuing attacks against sugar by governments who say that reduced intake would result in lower medical costs. Mexico has enacted a 10% tax, mostly on sweetened carbonated beverages. A handful of U.S. cities have done likewise with taxes ranging from one to two cents per ounce. A tax in Philadelphia did show a decrease in consumption of sugary drinks, but consumers also seemed to buy such products outside the city limits, and the tax raised less than anticipated. Costa Rican officials continually are searching for ways to levy more taxes to support an unsustainable budget. The passage of a sugar tax is unlikely because many acres used for sugar production are in the hands of the nation's political leaders. In fact, some consumer watchdogs even have called the industry a profitable monopoly. Some expats would like to see fewer fields of sugar because there are many complaints each year when producers burn off the weeds in the fields in advance of harvesting. The choking smoke can fill valleys for days. A worldwide effort to impose a sugar tax on soft drinks and similar certainly would have a negative effect on the nation's economy. Yet the trend, exemplified by the resolution of the medical association, seems to be in that direction. ------------------------ Do you agree on impose a sugar tax? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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