VAT ON PLANTS AND SEEDS

Early day motion 1877, tabled 24 June 2008 by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative). Signed by 37 members.

That this House welcomes the campaign by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to have value added tax on plants and seeds reduced to five per cent.; notes that within the first two weeks of its launch, more than 2,000 people signed a petition in support of the campaign; further notes that five per cent. is the rate chosen by the Government for certain categories of goods which are deemed to be environmentally friendly and that while wind turbines, solar panels and insulation materials are taxed at five per cent., plants and seeds are taxed at 17.5 per cent.; agrees with the RHS that lowering value added tax on plants and seeds will encourage people to buy and grow plants which will help to safeguard the environment; further agrees that any environmental policy should have plants and trees at its heart; and resolves to support the RHS's campaign to have plants and seeds taxed at the same rate as other goods which make a positive contribution to protecting and improving the environment.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Conservative 5, Liberal Democrat 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.