Sir, – An under-the-radar provision in the Finance Bill published last week is likely, if enacted, to add 23 per cent to the cost of soya, oat, almond and other popular dairy milk alternatives. Section 87 apparently seeks to remove VAT zero-rating for drinkable products derived from plants, grains, seeds or pulses, as reported in your Business section (October 10th). This would be a big disappointment for those of us who, for health reasons, need to avoid milk from cows. The change is also difficult to understand given the reduced carbon impact of these products in comparison to the production of milk from cows. The Green Party may have been asleep when this VAT increase was slipped in post-budget. – Yours, etc,
SYLVIA TESKEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.