The Latvian government should keep the VAT rate on locally grown fresh fruit, berries, and vegetables reduced at 12% in the coming years as well, Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze stated, BNS reports. The minister said that he would insist on maintaining the reduced VAT rate. Moreover, he argued that the lower rate should be applied to food products more widely. Meanwhile, Martins Trons, board member of the Farmers’ Parliament (ZSA), demanded that the VAT rate on local fruit, berries, and vegetables be reduced to 5%.