Complaint against special levy filed in Brussels

The retail chains associated in the Slovak Alliance of Modern Trade lodged a complaint against a special levy to Brussels. "Consultations are taking place at all levels, but the final decision rests with the European Commission," the chairman of the Alliance Martin Krajcovic says. According to the vice-president of the Trade Association Pavol Konstiak, Brussels should put a stop to this levy. "According to my information, the European Commission is to issue a preliminary measure to suspend the effectiveness of this law," Konstiak said. Retail chains operating in Slovakia will pay a special levy amounting to 2.5 percent as of next year if foodstuffs make up at least 25 percent of their turnover. Parliament adopted a law to this effect in December. With the new legislation, which was submitted by the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), the party wants to support Slovak farmers and domestic food producers.