The government’s decision to keep the 20 cents discount on fuel for professionals only will have direct consequences on consumption. This is estimated from the service station sector, from where they warn. this measure can reduce refueling by about 10%. Carriers, on the other hand, see being able to continue to benefit from this discount as a breath of fresh air, while other beneficiaries such as agriculture and fisheries continue to describe the measure as insufficient.
“Gas stations will get rid of discount applications, but we will see how this will affect fuel sales”
The Pedro Sánchez Government announced on Tuesday its decision to continue fuel aid, but it only benefits the transport and primary sectors. In other words, the general discount of 20 cents per liter since April 1 will expire this Saturday and will not be renewed for most drivers.
The measure is justified by the gradual decline in the price of fuel in recent months, which is now causing them to set their lowest record since last February before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Gasoline 95 currently trades at 1,578 euros per liter, while diesel stands at 1,654. It is also about lower prices than on April 1, when the Government decided to apply the bonus. At that time, gasoline was paid 1,812 euros and diesel was paid 1,812 euros.
However, the disappearance of the discount will have repercussions according to the gas station sector. This is expressed by Emilio Córcoles, the provincial head of the Federation of Mediterranean Service Station Entrepreneurs (Fedmes), warning of a decrease in consumption of around 10%. In his own words, “Except when the discount is gone, everything points to fuel prices getting more expensive again in the coming weeksbecause the disappearance of some refineries as a result of the pandemic led to less fuel production.
“We do not believe that there will be a decrease in the number of tourists, although it will affect their costs”
According to Córcoles, “people have the money they have, and the situation right now is very complicated, so they have to cut back as much as they can, for example Reduce trips or replace the vehicle with public transport».
payment
The representative of the service stations agrees that yes, the professionals do not have to manage the discounts, as they will receive the bonus through a mechanism that will ensure the return along with the monthly payments of the so-called professionals. diesel. In fact, Emilio Córcoles says gas stations were damaged during this process because he explains: «they had to incur an individual expenditure of about 3,000 euros to adapt their computer systemsand so far they have not received any compensation.
“The continuation of the discount is positive, because everything indicates that fuel prices will rise”
The decline in consumption estimated by gas stations may have an impact on tourism. But Nuria Montes, general secretary of the Hosbec employers’ association, thinks she doubts that the withdrawal of the bonus could lead to a reduction in visitors to the state, although this is not good news. In his words, “it is now much cheaper to travel by road than by plane or other means of transport, so this increase in fuel prices that will be recorded does not seem like a huge hurdle.” What it might cause, adds Nuria Montes, Reducing tourist spending at their destinationalthough he trusts it to be at a prudent proportion.
“It’s good that farmers have access to the bonus, but we continue to pay twice as much as a year ago”
Road transport positively valued the continuation of the bonus for professionals on the basis that it was a sensible measure that met the needs of the industry to reduce the impact of fuel prices. Francisco Ortiz, general secretary of the Alicante Transport Federation (Fetrama), points out: A tribute in such a difficult time. “Everything indicates that prices will go up once the Christmas dates have passed, so this is a very well received aid,” Ortiz emphasizes.
Agriculture
However, they do not think the same in the field of agriculture. This was expressed by José Vicente Andreu, president of the Alicante Young Farmers Association (Asaja), and said, “Logically, it is good for us to extend the bonus. The problem is that even so, we continue to pay almost twice as much as a year agosomething that has a direct impact on effectiveness”.
“They complicate the collection system and on top of that, VAT on fishery products has not been reduced”
Andreu finds it logical that such measures should be implemented in these difficult times, but he also adds: “economy cannot survive on subsidies. “What needs to be done is to bet on the long-term productive economy and give more support to primary industries like ours.”
It is also expressed in the fishing industry with similar terms. Juan Mulet, secretary of the provincial federation, appreciates that the bonus remains in effect, but with the new system “we don’t know when we will collect it. They are complicating things more and more, possibly so that some fishermen do not demand returns or there are delays.».
Mulet also complains that the VAT discount on basic foods in the shopping cart does not reach the fish, and the sector representative explains that this may encourage consumption. To all this, we must add the new fishing days, which the European Union has just agreed upon, which is squeezing trawlers on the ropes.
Source: Informacion
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